在解决防损失问题时，一个组织应该考虑使用固定的消防系统，其中一个是喷水系统。喷水系统在某些方面与自动喷水灭火系统相似；然而，预期用途、适用消防规范和设计标准有所不同。本出版物为石油工业和一些石化工业应用（物理和燃烧特性与碳氢化合物相当的非水反应性石化产品）提供了指导，以确定在何处可以使用喷水系统为设备和结构提供防火保护。 对工艺设备和结构钢的损坏也可以通过防火、通过手动软管流供水或从固定或移动监控喷嘴供水来限制；API推荐规程2218《石油和石化加工厂防火规程》、API推荐规程2001《炼油厂防火》和其他参考文件（如美国国家消防协会（NFPA）防火手册和各种NFPA规范）涵盖了这些方法。喷水系统设计、安装和部件类型的细节见第2节引用的出版物，主要是NFPA 15，本出版物不重复。

When addressing loss prevention, an organization should consider the use of fixed fire protection systems, one of which is water spray systems. Water spray systems appear similar to sprinkler systems in some respects; however, the intended uses, applicable Fire Codes and design criteria differ. This publication provides guidance for the petroleum industry and some petrochemical industry applications (for non-water-reactive petrochemicals with physical and combustion characteristics comparable to hydrocarbons) in determining where water spray systems might be used to provide protection from fire damage for equipment and structures.Damage to process equipment and structural steel also can be limited by fireproofing, applying water through manual hose streams or applying water from fixed or mobile monitor nozzles; these methods are covered in API Recommended Practice 2218 Fireproofing Practices in Petroleum and Petrochemical Processing Plants, API Recommended Practice 2001 Fire Protection in Refineries and other referenced documents such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Protection Handbook and various NFPA Codes.The specifics of water spray system design, installation and component types are covered in the publications referenced in Section 2, principally NFPA 15, and are not duplicated in this publication.