risk assessment for propane storage

[chicopee]

Has any one ever heard of a risk assessment for the new installation of a bulk propane storage tank? This unnamed community requires such a program to be developed by a certified fire professional(CFP)-not to be confused by certified safety professional(CSP). Is a CFS a fireman? and who provides such certification and how is it obtained? Has anybody a copy of such written risk assessment which I can review? Help is greatly appreciated

 

[tickle]

CFS = country fire service in Australia

Risk assessment is a quantitative and qualitative measure of the risks and the associated mitigation of the storage and handling of the facilities.

 

[EGT01]

The area of regulatory requirements is not my field of expertise but if you are in the US and the quantity of propane is 10,000 lbs or more, I believe the facilities could fall under the requirments of 29 CFR 1910.119 (OSHA PSM) and/or 40 CFR Part 68 (EPA RPM).

OSHA PSM does allow some exception that may apply
1910.119(a)(1)(ii)(A)
"Hydrocarbon fuels used solely for workplace consumption as a fuel (e.g., propane used for comfort heating, gasoline for vehicle refueling), ...."

EPA RPM will likely apply and based on info in the following link, EPA may have some specific guidelines available for propane storage facilities.

http://www.kbintl.com/psm/archive/PSM_708.PDF

In fact take a look at this

http://yosemite.epa.gov/oswer/Ceppoweb.nsf/vwResourcesByFilename/storage.pdf

It sounds like your unnamed community is aware of some requirement so I would ask what them what is their basis for the risk assessment. Is it their requirement or a regulatory agency requirement? If the propane facilities belong to the community, you may want to discuss the issue with the community's engineer.

 

[chicopee]

The community is in the northeast of the US. Risk assessment is I believe one of their requirements dealing with flammable substances requirement. To me it seems strange to have such requirement which as far as I know could be unprecedented for bulk storage of propane in order to discourage such venture in "one's backyard".

 

[saxon]

chicopee, You wouldn't want it sited next to a school, hospital or heavly populated building would you? BTW, if the thing leaks and an explosion and fire results, how is the local fire department/emergency response group going to respond, if at all? Hence the need for the risk assesment. Better to have these issues worked out before the equipment is installed and an incident occurs; rather than during.

Check with the local Fire Marshall. If he is not a CFP, he can certainely direct you to one.

Hope this helps.
saxon

 

[MJCronin]

chicopee,

How much propane are you storing and is the propane being used at the site as fuel ?

Is this a merchant plant used to supplement the supply in natural gas pipelines ?

I believe EGT01 is correct about the "reportble quantities" defined by OSHA PSM requirements.

For those of us with a more purient bent, the "Chemical Safety Board" has an accident report and safety information on a propane tank fire in 1999 at the Herrig Brothers farmsite in Iowa.

Most fire departments are instructed to place a stream at the RVs of propane tanks during a fire. Firefighters place the hose on a stand,then back off a few hundred feet

Look at the "Completed Investigations" list on:

http://www.csb.gov

My opinion only

 

[chicopee]

mjcronin-aggregate capacity of the two tanks at 54000 gallons. The risk assessment has nothing to do w/osha regulations at the moment. So far I have developed a preliminary six page handwritten outline of a risk assessment however,I do not want to reinvent the wheel if such written program is available. a written program would definetly speed up the process of developing it and give me an insight what may be considered acceptable. I would appreciate any sample copy that may exist.

 

[chicopee]

mj cronin- so far, I will propose a water spray system consistent w/ NFPA. water density between .2 and .5 gpm/sq.ft. of tank shell surface area. Duration at least 120 minutes so,a lake about 1/4 mile away for supply could be used but at great expense but considering the hazard the recommendation is appropriate. My report will deal w/ fire department capability, NFPA 58 & 70 for classified location, DOT regulations for driver, ASME code VIII, division for the storage tanks, employee training and the list goes on and I think I am going in the right direction. What do you think?

 

[MJCronin]

chic,

Does this help ?

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hid7.html

You should also consider the NPGA's new requiremnets on security as well as fire protection.....I would call/contact them directly.....

See:

http://epw.senate.gov/107th/NPGA_1114.htm

A course exists on how to provide fire protection for bulk storage facilities....You may consider:

http://www.pdhcenter.com/courses/g136/g136.htm

I, for one, would be interested in being informed about what your final report/design looks like...

My opinion only....

MJCronin

 

[saxon]

chicopee, Check with the Local & State Fire Marshall Office. They undoubtedly have a form & format for such designs and installations, including the latest "Homeland Security" measures. If I were the owner, I wouldn't touch the design or any other risk assesment or Haz-Op without their Seal of Approval.

saxon

 

[chicopee]

Saxon, I am currently contacting a local fire department but the information seems slow to come by.

 

[EGT01]

chicopee,

I happened to find a link for the National Propane Gas Association website. They have a rather extensive Fire Safety Analysis manual that you may find of interest if you haven't seen it yet.

http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

 

[chicopee]

thanks EGT01-your rec. is of great help