Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Figure 8.16 External tank facility
The principles of safety relating to both chemicals
and LPG are similar in many ways and it is intended to
consider these overall principles for each hazardous
material as one, with specifi c areas of difference being
highlighted.
Substitution
Ideally the use, storage, etc. of fl ammable chemicals
and substances and LPG should be avoided where reasonably
practicable. The same can be said for using low
fl ashpoint liquids. Other chemicals, substances or liquids,
which are either non-fl ammable or have a higher fl ashpoint,
may provide suitable safer alternatives.
It must also be noted that reactive chemicals whose
properties in themselves are non-fl ammable, but may
react violently even explosively when mixed together,
should also be considered in relation to substituting
them for less reactive materials.
Storage
Where substitution cannot be accommodated, the provision
of safe storage must be considered as a key element
in reducing the fi re and explosion risks from the
hazardous materials.
Ideally, arrangements should be made for storage of
fl ammable liquids, gases and substances to be stored
well away from other processes and general storage
areas. This is most effectively achieved by a physical
distance. An alternative approach may be to provide a
physical barrier such as a wall or partition, combined
with a storage system or container.
If the storage facility is to be located within a
building and the hazardous materials are to be handled
within the area around the store fi re resisting separation
from other areas of the building or workplace should be
considered.
Causes and prevention of fi re
Table 8.3 Minimum separation distances
Quantity stored Distance from occupied
litres building, boundary, process
unit, fl ammable liquid storage
tank or fi xed ignition source
metres
Up to 1 000 2
1 000–100 000 4
Above 100 000 7.5
The arrangements for storing fl ammable substances
and LPG will depend upon the storage facilities available,
the amount of hazardous materials and the nature
of the materials.
External storage arrangements – when storing
large quantities (50 litres or more) ideally an external
storage area will be provided that will include the following
considerations:
➤ Segregation from other processes and storage
(fl ammable substances should be stored separately
from other hazardous substances and materials
such as oxidisers and LPG, etc.):
➤ By physical distance
➤ Fire wall
➤ Security against unauthorised access, locking
mechanisms, physical walls and fences
➤ Positioned in a well-ventilated area and on impervious
ground
➤ Take into account the potential heat on the containers
from a fi re within or outside the premises’
boundary; and a fi re within the storage facility on
buildings, plant and people inside or outside the
premises
➤ Positioned away from sources of ignition (or where
electrical supplies are intrinsically safe)
➤ Environmental protection arrangements:
➤ Bunded facility (110% of contents)
➤ Interceptors to capture potential release
The acknowledged safe separation distances are
detailed in Table 8.3.
The arrangements for the storing of larger quantities
(more than 300 kg) of LPG gas cylinders are very similar
to those required for fl ammable liquids.
In addition to providing adequate levels of signage
on site, formal systems of work will need to be
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