主管:中华人民共和国应急管理部
主办:应急管理部天津消防研究所
ISSN 1009-0029  CN 12-1311/TU

Fire Science and Technology ›› 2025, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (9): 1204-1210.

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Experimental study on fire resistance performance of novel internal floating roofs in storage tanks

Wang Lu1,2,3, Bao Youquan1,2,3, Zhi Huiqiang1,2,3, Du Xia1,2,3   

  1. (1. Tianjin Fire Science and Technology Research Institute of MEM, Tianjin 300381, China; 2. Key Laboratory of Fire Protection Technology for Industry and Public Building, Ministry of Emergency Management, Tianjin 300381, China; 3. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Fire Safety Technology, Tianjin 300381, China)
  • Received:2025-06-30 Revised:2025-07-24 Online:2025-09-15 Published:2025-09-15

Abstract: The floating roof, as a critical safety component of internal floating-roof storage tanks, is essential for the overall fire safety of the tanks. Its fire resistance serves as a key performance indicator affecting fire safety. However, frequent accidents involving in-service aluminum pontoon-type floating roofs have been reported, while numerous new floating roof designs have emerged. This study employs a full-assembly fire resistance test method to evaluate 21 floating roof products across 8 different types. The influence of material and structural design on fire resistance is analyzed. Results indicate that the fire resistance of aluminum pontoon-type floating roofs fails to meet practical requirements. For the new full-liquid-contact floating roofs, the sealing effectiveness between buoyancy units and between buoyancy units and perimeter vertical plates significantly impacts fire resistance. Finally, recommendations for floating roof selection in engineering applications are provided.

Key words: internal floating roof tank, petrochemical fire, full surface-contact floating roof, fire resistance performance, fire-resistant floating roof