Storage facilities fire protection

In addition, restrictions on industrial air emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA) as amended in 1977, the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990, and other state and local statutes and regulations have universal impact on the storage of toxic materials, with direct and significant effects on the design and operation of toxic material storage facilities. Whereas the primary factors which once determined how air emissions from storage tanks were handled were fire protection and loss prevention, in recent years environmental protection concerns nearly always determine the extent and nature of the air emission controls required to be installed. 

API Publ 2510A, Fire Protection Considerations for the Design and Operation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Storage Facilities, 2nd ed., December 1996... 

A facility stores NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Class 1B liquid in a diked atmospheric storage tank equipped with an external floating roof. 

Where facilities are exposed to the constant radiation of the sun, sun shades are provided over exterior exposed equipment that may not function properly at elevated temperatures or would deteriorate rapidly if left continual exposed to the direct sunlight. Most electrical or electronic equipment is rated for a maximum operating temperature of 40 °C (104 °F) unless otherwise specified, e.g., hazardous area lighting temperatures are normally specified for 40 °C (104 °F) limit. Of particular concern for fire protection systems are those containing storage for foam concentrates rubber hoses or other rubber components which may dry and crack. 

Water mist systems are intended for rapid suppression of fires using water discharged into completely enclosed limited volume spaces. Water mist systems are desirable for spaces where the amount of water that can be stored or that can be discharged is limited. In addition, their application and effectiveness for flammable liquid storage facilities and electrical equipment spaces continues to be investigated with optimistic results. Water mist systems are also used for gas turbine enclosure protection. 

Separation distance provides the basic passive fire protection feature for process structures. The separation distance between different process structures and from storage areas, utility operations, and important buildings or facilities should be based on the hazards and risks involved. Refer to Guidelines for Facility Siting and Layout (CCPS, 2003b) for further spacing guidance. 

Sprinkler protection should be provided as for any storage facility handling similar material products. In storage areas that are always above freezing, preaction type systems electrically activated by a separate fire/heat detection system are often used. 

Cooling towers can be either the victim of an outside ignition source or they can be the culprit causing propagation of a fire to other nearby processing, storage, or utility operations or facilities. In fire protection terms, they may present an "exposure to" or they may suffer "exposure from" other facilities or hazards. Some of the situations and events that have led to fires in cooling towers of combustible construction are ... 

Included in the OSHA regulations are standards for safe work practices such as lock-out/tag-out and confined space entry, personal protective equipment, storage of hazardous materials, welding process, forklift operation, and requirements for fire protection. Basically, all activities within a chemical facility are covered by OSHA standards. 

Utilities-steam, water, power, refrigeration, compressed air, fuel, waste disposal Facilities-boiler plant incinerator, wells, river intake, water treatment, cooling towers, water storage, electric substation, refrigeration plant, air plant, fuel storage, waste disposal plant, environmental controls, fire protection... 

Storage. The quantities required for a commercial conversion facility demand the use of storage facilities even if only used as a supply buffer at the facility itself. For dry biomass, protection from the elements is often required to maintain acceptable moisture levels and to minimize storage losses. In addition, fire protection is an important consideration when storing large quantities of biomass at one site. 

Prior to entry into the area, intelligence assets shall provide the NATO operational and local commanders with suspected areas that contain TICs. The intelligence community shall endeavor to obtain all pertinent information involving production and storage facilities of TICs. At a minimum the type of TICs and quantities at each location shall be provided to the Commander. Additionally, there is a need for Commanders to be informed on the specific risk (fire, explosion, toxicity, corrosive effects, and persistency of gas) as well as the efficiency of collective and individual protection systems. Intelligence assets should query the appropriate scientific, civilian industrial and chemical warfare treaty experts in order to gather all applicable information. When possible, local industrial site survey forms shall be obtained for all identified sites. 

The storage facility should offer long-term protection to the collections, including the need for security and monitoring for fire and water damage. 

Elevated water-storage tank, fire pumps, etc. Yard distribution piping Fire-fighting equipment Sprinkler installations Other fire protection facilities Miscellaneous ... 

---