IV - Part 6 Section 14 A Flares and Cold Vents
GL 2007
Section 14
Flares and Cold Vents
A. General
1. Scope
The following requirements apply to flares and cold
vents on mobile offshore units and fixed offshore
installations, used for the safe disposal of hydrocarbon
gases and vapours and other gases associated with
drilling, production and processing of mineral oil and
gas.
Special requirements for sour gas have to be consid-
ered according to Section 17, C.
2. Reference to other rules, regulations and
standards
Designs based on other internationally acknowledged
rules, regulations or standards will be accepted if they
provide an equal degree of safety.
Attention is drawn also to governmental regulations
and/or requirements imposed by local authorities.
3. Orientation, arrangement
3.1 The target of a safe dilution of the released
gas shall be duly considered. For the orientation of the
flare or cold vent relative to the offshore installa-
tion(s)/unit, careful consideration shall be given to
prevailing wind directions and speeds.
3.2 In general the flare or cold vent shall be posi-
tioned downwind of any production/process areas and
accommodation modules.
3.3 The arrangement of the flare or cold vent
shall be determined with due regard to unimpeded:
− helicopter and boat traffic
− crane boom circles
− access to boat landings from the water side (ma-
rine craft) and from the installation’s/unit’s escape
routes
3.4 Accessibility for maintenance of the flare or
vent tip has to be ensured.
4. Noise
Noise produced by flares and cold vents shall at all
normally manned locations be within such limits as to
ensure that
Chapter 5
Page 14–1
− communication by portable radio or telephone is
still possible
− public address announcements and acoustic warn-
ing signals are audible throughout the installation
(s)/unit.
This applies in particular to maximum flow condi-
tions.
5. Design
5.1 For safety and environmental reasons the
need for flaring shall be minimized.
5.2 In the design of the flare/cold vent system
provisions shall be made to avoid:
− blowback of the flame
− accumulation of liquids in the flare piping
− carry-over of liquids, e.g. by appropriately sized
knock-out drum
− precipitation of unburnt liquid droplets onto
equipment or structure, e.g. by appropriately sized
droplet removal systems
− hydrocarbon contamination of air intakes for heat-
ing, ventilation, air condition (HVAC) and com-
bustion air
− excessive internal back pressure resulting from
critical discharge scenarios
− excessive forces due to surge effects on the piping
− thermal stresses caused by temperature differences
between discharged gas and components of the
system
− fallout/generation of sludge
5.3 The safety arrangements for the flare/cold
vent systems shall be incorporated into the installa-
tion’s/unit’s Emergency Shut Down (ESD) system, as
necessary.
5.4 The hydraulic and thermal capacity of a
flare/cold vent shall be determined on a well defined
worst case scenario, taking into account the highest
possible flow rates, e.g. in a blowdown situation, and
considering worst case gas composition.
Chapter 5 Section 14 C Flares and Cold Vents
Page 14–2
5.5 Selection of materials shall be made with due
regard to corrosion and erosion attack.
B. Flares
1. Special requirements
A flare system shall be properly designed with due
regard to:
− complete combustion (smokeless operation to be
ensured by manufacturer)
− flame retention and stability even under surging
gas conditions and maximum wind conditions
2. Documents for approval
Documentation on the following shall be submitted for
review/approval:
− description of the flare type, materials and manu-
facturer, type of seal
− description of operating and safety philosophy
with regard to flaring
− process flow sheet
− piping and instrumentation diagrams (PIDs) in-
cluding safety facilities, flare collecting headers
and flare utilities
− design of vessels, e.g. scrubbers, knock-out drums
− radiation calculations (flare study) for hot flares
respectively dispersion study for cold vents
− plans for thermal shielding, insulation and protec-
tion of structure and pressurized equipment, as far
as necessary
− plans of provision and location of heat shields for
personnel escape routes, as far as necessary
3. Thermal radiation levels
The intensity and distribution of thermal radiation
shall be calculated by using an appropriate method in
order to cover the entire operating range of the flare.
Maximum exposure levels for personnel as given in
Table 14.1 shall not be exceeded unless special protec-
tive measures are taken. Solar radiation shall be taken
into account. For example, solar radiation levels of 0,7
to 0,8 kW/m² have been recorded for the southern
North Sea.
Special attention may be required regarding protection
for elevated working environments, such as cranes,
helicopter decks, drilling derricks, etc.
IV - Part 6
GL 2007
In most cases, structural components and equipment
can safely tolerate higher degrees of heat density than
those defined for personnel in Table 14.1. However, if
any items vulnerable to overheating problems are
involved, such as construction materials that have low
melting points (for example, aluminium or plastic),
heat-sensitive streams, flammable vapour spaces, or
electrical equipment, then the effect of radiant heat on
them may need to be evaluated. Thus, special attention
may be required for helicopter decks made of alumin-
ium. Structural integrity and operability have to be
maintained, e.g. by thermal insulation.
Further consideration shall be given to the thermal
stability of lubricants, e.g. for drilling equipment, and
to the limitation of surface temperatures in hazardous
areas.
4. Pilot burner and ignition system
A pilot burner shall be provided in such an arrange-
ment to ensure a stable pilot flame under all environ-
mental conditions. Means to verify the existence of the
pilot flame and to verify that the pilot burner does
ignite the gas flow instantaneous on discharge are
required, e.g. installation of flame monitors.
In order to start and maintain a flame, an ignition
system shall be provided capable of remote operation,
so that neither personnel nor ignite controls can be
affected by detrimental heat radiation.
5. Safety arrangements
5.1 Provision shall be made to prevent the ingress
of air into the flare system and possible formation of
explosive atmosphere at low flow rates. This may be
achieved by providing a continuous purge gas system
or equivalent.
5.2 Suitably arranged alarms for reception at a
manned control station shall be provided for the flare
system, e.g.:
− pilot flame out
− low pressures in the gas line or pilot gas line
− levels in scrubbers/knock-out drums
Pilot flame monitors are to be located such that heat
radiation from the flare does not render them inoper-
able.
5.3 Where drain pumps for scrubbers/knock-out
drums are provided, their operation shall be automatic.
C. Cold Vents
1. Special requirements
The approval of cold vents follows, to the applicable
extent, the same procedure as for flares.
IV - Part 6 Section 14 C Flares and Cold Vents Chapter 5
GL 2007 Page 14–3

A cold vent system shall be properly designed with
due regard to dispersion to ensure that neither explo-
sive nor toxic gas mixtures may be created in the
installation/unit under the given environmental condi-
tions.
2. Accidental ignition
A snuffing system or equivalent shall be provided to
immediately extinguish the flame in case of acciden-
tal ignition of the gases.
For such cases protective measures for personnel and
equipment may be required, depending upon their
distance from the flame.
Provision of a flame arrester shall be considered on a
vent system wherever a permanent or long-standing
relief is intended to be made from the vent system.
3. Discharge of toxic and/or corrosive va-
pours
Where toxic and/or corrosive gases are to be dis-
charged through a vent, their concentration shall be
such that it does not create a safety hazard for per-
sonnel. The safe disposal of substances having toxic
or corrosive properties may require chemical treat-
ment prior to their discharge into the atmosphere.
See also Chapter 2 – Mobile Offshore Units, Section
1, C.4.6.2.4

Table 14.1 Recommended total design radiation

Permissible design level (K)

British Thermal Conditions
Kilowatt/m2
Units/hour/foot2
Heat intensity on structures and areas where operators are not
5000 15,77 likely to be performing duties and where shelter from radiant
heat is available (e.g. behind equipment)
Value of K at design flare release at any location to which
people have access (e.g. at grade below flare or at a service
3000 9,46
platform of a nearby tower); exposure should be limited to a
few seconds, sufficient to escape only
Heat intensity in areas where emergency actions lasting up to 1
2000 6,31 minute may be required by personnel without shielding but
with appropriate clothing
Heat intensity in areas where emergency actions lasting up to
1000 4,73 several minutes may be required by personnel without
shielding but with appropriate clothing
Value of K at any location where personnel with appropriate
500 1,58
clothing may be continuously exposed
Remarks:
1. On towers or other elevated structures where rapid escape is not possible, ladders shall be provided on
the side away from the flare, so the structure can provide some shielding when K is grater than 2000
BTU/hour/ft2 (6,31 kW/m2)
2. Solar radiation contribution varies by geographical location and is generally in the range of 250 to 330
BTU/hour/ft2 (0,79 to 1,04 kW/m2)