Objectives

The primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive condition assessment of the existing seawater and foam-based fire protection system at the Tanker Berth, Port of East London. The assessment aims to verify component integrity, ensure regulatory compliance, determine remaining service life, and deliver actionable engineering documentation to restore long-term operational readiness and safeguard infrastructure against fire emergencies.

Scope of Services

The successful bidder will execute a full diagnostic and engineering evaluation of all firewater and foam system components, including pipework, valves, pumps, fixed monitors, portable pourers, deluge valves, control systems, and protective coatings. Key deliverables include:

• Detailed field inspections, internal borescope examinations, and ultrasonic thickness testing.
• As-built drawings in PDF and DWG formats (P&IDs, general arrangements, isometrics, cable/instrumentation schematics).
• A comprehensive condition assessment report featuring photographic logs, NDT results, condition grading, risk registers, and compliance evaluations.
• Repair methodology specifications, pipe coating/protection specifications, and a Bill of Quantities (BOQ) aligned with CESMM.
• Redesign recommendations for the deluge valve and control system to enable independent monitor operation and eliminate excessive pre-priming delays.
• A five-year maintenance schedule, equipment register, and Class 3 cost estimate.
• Procurement and functional testing of a minimum 200 litres of fluorine-free foam concentrate.

All works must be coordinated around active port operations, with access granted only when the berth is unoccupied. The project must be completed within twenty weeks using a Level 3 Microsoft Project programme.

Technical Requirements

• Standards Compliance: Adherence to NFPA (11, 16, 20, 24, 25, 30, 307), EN (1568, 13565), IMO, MED, ASME B31.3, ISO 12944, SANS/IEC hazardous area regulations, and applicable South African legislation.
• Performance Criteria: Fixed monitors must achieve ≥90% of rated flow, pressure, and throw distance. Foam induction accuracy must remain within ±1% of the 3% target. Pre-priming time must not exceed five minutes, and independent monitor actuation must be achievable within sixty seconds.
• Testing & Inspection: External/internal visual inspections, ultrasonic thickness mapping (minimum three readings per metre), certified NDT (ISO 9712 Level II), hydraulic performance testing, and functional cycling of all valves and controls.
• HSE & Operational Constraints: Submission of a site-specific Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) plan, mandatory safety inductions, strict PPE protocols, hazardous-area electrical certifications, and work permit compliance. All SHE costs must be itemised in pricing.
• Documentation & Programme: Deliverables must follow specified formats. The programme must show dependencies, a clear critical path, and no activity exceeding two weeks.

Skills and Personnel Requirements

• Company Experience: Minimum three completion certificates or reference letters demonstrating prior execution of detailed engineering condition assessments for industrial fire protection or process piping systems (e.g., tanker berths, refineries, bulk terminals).
• Key Personnel: Mandatory appointment of a Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, and Health & Safety Officer. Engineers require relevant tertiary qualifications (NQF Level 7–8) and Professional Engineering Technologist/Engineer registration with ECSA. The H&S Officer must hold a recognised health and safety management qualification.
• Experience Thresholds: Mechanical and Electrical Engineers must demonstrate post-registration experience in fire fighting systems condition assessments, plant installations, or hazardous area works. Top scoring requires more than eight years for engineers and five years for the H&S Officer.
• Method Statement: A comprehensive technical approach must be submitted, detailing assessment methodology, foam testing procedures, deluge valve/control system solutions, and the project programme.

Key Technical Terms Explained

Fluorine-Free Foam (FFF): An environmentally sustainable firefighting foam that eliminates persistent perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). It requires precise viscosity matching and induction compatibility verification with existing pumps and proportioners.

Deluge Valve & Control Redesign: Addresses systemic faults where all monitors activate simultaneously, causing thirty-five-minute pre-priming delays and repeated solenoid failures. The redesign mandates independent monitor isolation, rapid automatic priming, and water-hammer mitigation.

NDT & UT Testing: Non-Destructive Testing and Ultrasonic Thickness measurements assess internal/external corrosion, weld integrity, and remaining wall thickness without compromising system functionality.

CESMM & Class 3 Estimate: CESMM is a standardised measurement framework for civil and mechanical works. A Class 3 estimate is a preliminary budgetary cost model used for planning and approval before detailed design.