Spark resistant floor for LPG filling hall 1

[sunsc]

Fellow engineering practitioners,

I'm currently involved in the construction of an oil/gas terminal. One of the requirement is anti-spark floor for the LPG filling hall - to prevent / minimise sparks creation from contact frictions, i.e. dropping of metallic objects onto the floor. The foundation of this hall shall be concrete - therefore, concrete slabs as floor.

My question:
What could be done to the concrete floor to ensure that it is spark resistant.

Thanks in advance for your opinions / solutions.

SunSC

 

[jheidt2543]

I would contact one of the companies that manufacture concrete floor coatings and admixtures, such as Master Builders, Sonoborne or W.R. Meadows and discuss you problem with them.

I do know that that there are static resistant carpets and vinyl floor coverings for computer rooms, but it seems that you are looking for something that will work on bare concrete.

 

[Taro]

Anti-static dissipative epoxy floor coating systems are available. They are commonly used in manufacturing facilities. I worked on one project where nuclear missiles were assembled in the room and the floor coating was used because sparks could be very, very bad news.

 

[sunsc]

We talked to an epoxy product specialist from Sika Chemicals. They recommended us an epoxy compound which they claimed is sufficient to cushion any impact against the concrete floor, thereby preventing creation of sparks. When we asked them about the availability of sparks dissipative epoxy compound, they seemed lost. Maybe we'll talk to more specialist as we're still unconvinced.

 

[Taro]

Correct. It is more than just a cushion layer. There are actually conductive fibers embedded in the expoxy coating that provide a path for the static electricity to reach the ground. I didn't spec the coating on the project I mentioned, so I can't recommend a specific product.

 

[chicopee]

About mixing in Berryllium Copper particles or strands w/ concrete-would that work?. Berryllium copper tools are widely used to lessen the energy of sparks.