Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Compliance status
Non
2.1
Control of Flammable Atmosphere
Vopak defines the following approach as the most appropriate response:
N2 blanketing: if required by local regulations or firefighting requirements,
or if required by product/customer (product quality reasons);
Prevent static electricity (main potential ignition source within a tank) from
occurring: competent and trained people, adequate infrastructural design;
Prevent static electricity: grounding and bonding, proper system
maintenance and regular testing of systems to prevent static electricity
2.2
Where very toxic (according to GHS) or highly flammable products (GHS Class 1)
are stored, intermediate bunding should be installed in line with NFPA. Else, Vopak
policy is NOT to install intermediate bunding, unless required by local legislation.
Alternatively drainage channels in between tanks could be considered as indicated
Partial
Observations
Complete
Areas of
Improvement
Fixed foam system for tanks with remote control from the
central control room (CCR) plus manual activation
locally;
Practice.
Tank cooling rates shall therefore be 2 l/min/m2 (IP19 based), unless required
otherwise by local legislation / authorities.
The basic requirements for applying cooling water to storage tanks are:
- Even distribution of water shall be guaranteed. This can be
achieved by the application of cooling rings. Uneven cooling
can cause the tank to deform and eventually collapse;
- Wind stiffeners form obstruction to even the water distribution.
Extra spray nozzles below stiffeners are recommended.
Requirements for tank cooling depend upon multiple factors. Vopak's policy on tank
cooling is:
- Fixed cooling systems for tanks which can receive radiant
heat above 10 kW/m2 or more stringent when required by
All foam system designs shall be based on NFPA 11. Foam is applied for fire
extinguishing. The required foam volume capacity shall be based on the worst
credible fire scenario. The foam solution volume shall be determined by scenario
and by calculations based on the application rate and multiplied by the duration.
Reference is made to NFPA 11 for further guidance.
Foam systems shall be installed on tanks which store class I and II products
according to NFPA, i.e. products with flash point lower than 60C.
Structures
One method by which the radiant heat effect on steel
structures can be reduced is by the use of passive fire
protection or insulation. Passive fire protection (PFP) is
defined as any system (usually coatings, cladding or
insulation) that does not require manual activation to
protect against heat radiation.
Applications that could be considered include
protection of specific critical items of equipment (e.g.
valves and actuators) and critical metal structures
such as loading racks or pipe rack supports. A
common industry practice is to apply fire proofing in
these cases up to 9 meters height maximum.