Emergency fire/explosion

Think about what kinds of emergencies you may encounter in carrying out this experiment and prepare for them. You will find that the kinds of emergencies (fires, explosions, chemical exposure) that might happen are common to many reactions so you can take steps to be prepared for these. As in any other job or task at home, if you work in a laboratory for any significant amount of time, you will experience an emergency. Prepare and practice for those emergencies. 

Tollers may have an emergency response plan that requires their personnel to respond in an emergency such as a fire, explosion or release. Other tollers may call upon local responders and evacuate. It is essential that training for responders on the emergency response plan procedures should be up-to-date prior to startup of the new toll. For companies in the U.S. that are required to register... 

Emergency response plan A written plan which addresses actions to take in case of plant fire, explosion or accidental chemical release. 

In addition, responses to releases of hazardous substances where there is no potential health or safety hazard (i.e., fire, explosion, or chemical exposure) are not considered to be emergency responses. Keep in mind that qualified personnel who are trained to clean up incidental... 

Physical properties are important considerations in any study of accidents and emergencies. A substance may exhibit certain characteristics under one set of conditions of temperature, pressure, and composition. However, if the conditions are clianged, a once-safe operation may become a liazard by virtue of vulnerability to fire, explosion, or mpturing. To promote a better understanding of these effects, many of which are covered in Chapter 7, a brief rc iew of some key physical and chemical properties is provided in tliis and the next section. 

Although accidents of these types occur infrequently, they may present a greater potential for loss titan fires, explosions, or spills. Since natural disasters are difficult to predict and prevent, one is obliged to rely more heavily on precautions designed to minimize tlie impact of an occurrence of a natural disaster, such as emergency plamting. 

Some of tlie preceding cliapters liave dealt witli tlie history and legislation of emergency and accidents tliis cliapter addresses specifically tlie fundamentals of plant fires, explosions, and certain otlier plant- and non-plant-related accidents. 

This book is divided into five parts the problem, accidents, health risk, hazard risk, and hazard risk analysis. Part 1, an introduction to HS AM, presents legal considerations, emergency planning, and emergency response. This Part basically ser es as an oveiwiew to the more teclmical topics covered in the remainder of the book. Part 11 treats the broad subject of accidents, discussing fires, explosions and other accidents. The chapters in Parts 111 and Part IV provide introductory material to health and hazard risk assessment, respectively. Pai1 V examines hazaid risk analysis in significant detail. The thiee chapters in this final part include material on fundamentals of applicable statistics theory, and the applications and calculations of risk analysis for real systems. 

Chapter I Past History, John O Byrne Chapter 2 Legislation, Gaetano LaVigua Chapter 3 Emergency Planning and Response, Elizabeth Shoen Chapter 5 Fires, Explosions and Other Accidents, Nat Federici and Isabella Schroeder... 

Checks on the adequacy and location of fire-fighting, emergency rescue and alarm equipment Practice in emergency situations Emergency procedures for Fire/explosion Toxic release Serious accidents Spillage... 

Figure 23.1 provides a compilation of information on reported emergency incidents at hazardous waste combustion facilities and other TSDFs regulated under the RCRA. It covers emergency incidents such as fires, explosions, hazardous waste spills, or unauthorized releases of hazardous waste. The reported incidents at 24 hazardous waste combustion units and 26 other TSDFs... 

General Considerations 1 Location of people relative to the unit 2 Location of critical systems 3 Dominant wind direction 4 Climate and weather extremes earthquake, flooding, windstorms 5 Site topography 6 External hazards or threats (fire/explosion/toxic release from nearby process or facility aircraft subsidence sabotage) 7 Traffic flow patterns and clearances from process vessels and lines 8 Security and reliability of all critical feeds and utilities 9 Command center and alternate command center locations 10 Evacuation routes, emergency exits, safe rally spots... 

Accident Mitigation 28 Detection of leaks/ruptures 29 Emergency shutdown switch locations 30 Accessibility of isolation valves 31 Potential for fire/explosion in unit affecting other equipment 32 Critical controls, mitigation, communication, and fire protection sy stems functional and accessible after initial explosion or release 33 Back-up power supply/redundant feeds for critical electrical systems 34 Water supply for fire fighting 35 Routing of utilities... 

Whether the design and construction of control rooms and other occupied structures, as well as detection, warning, and emergency response provisions, will provide adequate protection in the event of a major fire, explosion, or toxic release event Recommended distances for spacing of buildings and equipment... 

Hydrocarbon processing facilities pose severe risks with respect to fire, explosions and vessel ruptures. Among the prime methods to prevent and limit the loss potential from such incidents are the provisions of hydrocarbon inventory isolation and removal system. These systems are commonly referred to in the petroleum industry as ESD (emergency shutdown) and depressuring or blowdown. Although most standards and practices acknowledge the need for depressuring capabilities the exact determination of their requirement is not wholly defined. NFPA fire codes and standards rarely mention the subject. 

Human factors and ergonomics concern the ability of personnel to perform their job functions within the physical and mental capabilities or limitations of a human being. Human beings have certain tolerances and personal attitudes. Tolerances can be related to the ability to accept information, how quickly the information can be understood and the ability and speed to perform manual activities. When information is confusing, lacking or overtaxing, the ability to understand and act upon it quickly or effectively is absent. It is therefore imperative to provide concise, adequate and only pertinent information to do all the tasks associated with petroleum activities. This includes activities associated with emergency fire and explosion protection measures. 

Emergency response plans (ERPs) are nothing new to chemical industries, since many have developed ERPs to deal with natural disasters, accidents, violence in the workplace, civil unrest, and so on. Because chemical industries are a vital part and ingredient of our way of life, it has been prudent for chemical industries to develop ERPs in order to help ensure the continuous flow of water to the community. However, many chemical industry ERPs developed prior to 9/11 do not explicitly deal with terrorist threats, such as intentional fire, explosion, or contamination. Recently, the U.S. Congress and federal regulators have required chemical industries to prepare or revise, as necessary, an ERP to reflect the findings of their vulnerability assessment and to address terrorist threats. 

This section includes guidelines for the central control station equipment, emergency alarm stations, supervisory devices, and visual and audible alarm services. These systems can be used for all types of in-house emergencies, such as fires, explosions, vapor releases, liquid spills, and injuries. 

Gas Masks.—Students should acquaint themselves with gas masks for use in case of fire, explosion, or other emergency. 

Spacing between plant units is important in limiting damage from fires, explosions and gaseous or liquid releases. Proper spacing also provides adequate access for repair and emergency equipment as well as for evacuation in the case of accidents. 

Investigation of fires, explosions, hazardous materials incidents, and other related emergency incidents... 

---