API RP 2FB-2006 (2020) PDF

Full title and description

API RP 2FB — Recommended Practice for the Design of Offshore Facilities Against Fire and Blast Loading. This Recommended Practice provides a structured assessment process for considering fire and blast hazards in the design of offshore structures and gives guidance and examples for setting performance criteria for both fixed and floating facilities.

Abstract

This document presents a methodology for identifying fire and blast events, defining event scenarios and performance objectives, and applying design measures to minimise structural and functional consequences to offshore facilities. It complements the structural guidance in API RP 2A and the hazard and safety practices in API RP 75 and the API RP 14 series, and is intended to be used together with facility-level hazard analyses (for example as described in API RP 14J) to inform structural design decisions and performance criteria.

General information

• Status: Current — originally published 2006; reaffirmed in later editorial releases (R2020 and R2025).
• Publication date: First edition published April 1, 2006; editorial reissue/edition 1 dated September 1, 2020 (often shown as ed.1 / R2020); reaffirmation noted June 2025 (R2025).
• Publisher: American Petroleum Institute (API).
• ICS / categories: Petroleum and natural gas industries; offshore structures; fire safety and blast-resistant design; offshore facilities engineering.
• Edition / version: 1st edition (2006) — published as API RP 2FB:2006 with editorial/reissue entries shown as ed.1 (2020) and reaffirmation notations (R2020 / R2025).
• Number of pages: 74 pages (typical publisher listing).

Scope

Provides guidance for structural and facilities engineers on evaluating and designing offshore platforms and floating production units to withstand fire and explosion/blast loading. The scope covers methods for hazard identification, event definition, selection of performance criteria, structural response considerations, and design/mitigation measures applicable to topsides and supporting structures. It is intended for use alongside API RP 2A, API RP 75, API RP 14J and related industry standards to ensure coordinated hazard analysis and structural design decisions.

Key topics and requirements

• Framework for hazard identification and event definition for fires and explosions/blasts on offshore facilities.
• Guidance on selecting performance objectives and acceptance criteria for structural and functional survivability.
• Design considerations for fixed and floating structures exposed to thermal (fire) and pressure (blast) loading.
• Interaction and coordination with facility-level safety management, hazard analyses and other API RPs (notably RP 2A, RP 75 and RP 14 series).
• Examples and worked guidance to support setting design performance levels and mitigation strategies.

Typical use and users

Used by offshore structural and facilities engineers, design consultancies, operator safety and risk teams, regulatory and classification authorities, and contractors responsible for topsides and platform structural design. Typical applications include early‑stage design hazard reviews, detailed design to meet performance targets, and review of mitigation systems or structural upgrades following hazard assessments.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside API RP 2A (planning and design of fixed platforms), API RP 75 (safety and environmental management), API RP 14J (design and hazards analysis for offshore production facilities), ISO 13702 (control and mitigation of fires and explosions on offshore installations), and other structural and blast‑design guidance (ASCE/ISO documents referenced where applicable).

Keywords

offshore, fire design, blast design, explosion, performance criteria, topsides, platform, API RP, hazard assessment, structural survivability

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: API RP 2FB is an API Recommended Practice that provides guidance for assessing and designing offshore facilities to resist fire and blast loading, helping users set performance objectives and select appropriate design/mitigation measures.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers hazard identification and event definition for fires and explosions/blasts, performance criteria selection, structural response considerations for fixed and floating facilities, and coordination with facility hazard analyses and safety management processes.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural and facilities engineers, safety and risk analysts, offshore operators, classification societies and contractors involved in the design, assessment or modification of offshore production platforms and floating units.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The standard was first published in 2006 (1st edition) and is shown in industry listings with editorial/reissue notations (ed.1 / R2020) and a reaffirmation entry (R2025). Industry sources list it as current under the R2025 reaffirmation as of the latest catalogue updates. Users should check the API publications catalogue or their national standards provider for the absolute latest status before finalising compliance work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one of API’s series of offshore‑structure and facilities RPs and is intended to be used in conjunction with related API documents such as RP 2A, RP 75 and the RP 14 series, plus relevant ISO/ASCE guidance on fire, explosion and blast design.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Offshore, fire, blast, explosion, performance criteria, topsides, platform design, hazard assessment, API RP.