BUNCEFIELD EXPLOSIONS

Buncefield Explosions

Case study report based on the Buncefield Explosions and Fire of December 2005

General Protective Measures against Explosions

Design, build and maintain equipment to minimize the risk of explosion, and the consequences of an explosion.

Provide for flammable fluids circulating and the metal vessels grounded to prevent static discharges.

Install and commission the equipment can be safely used in explosive atmospheres. Take steps to prevent confusion between connecting devices.

Provide a manual override without compromising security, by skilled workers.

Take into account the additional risks in case of power energy (independent operation if necessary).

Check the security of the entire system, given the risk of explosion before the first use by a person competent in the field of protection against explosions.

Observe the frequency of tests.

Divert, remove, contain any emanation or release could lead to an explosion.

Consider the highest risk for preventive measures (gas / vapours, dusts, mixtures).

Take account of electrostatic discharges of workers or the workplace: the provision of clothing and personal protective equipment appropriate antistatic.

Provide a warning by visual and acoustic signals and evacuation procedures before the explosion conditions are met.

Check that the escape routes are designed and maintained to leave endangered places promptly and safely.

In case of emergency stop, ensuring secure energy dissipation or isolation so as not to be a source of danger (Chui, 2006, pp. 236-242)

Limit the Effects of Explosions.

The closed facilities (silos, tanks, filters, pipes, reactors ...) and their environment can be protected against the effects of explosions occurring within these enclosures (which have been prevented) through;

Remove or separate facilities.

Provide for the discharge of the explosion pressure: installation of vents, and areas of lower strength (hanging roof, etc) so that in case of explosion the building does not impinge.

Provide for devices for stopping the development of an explosion in an enclosure (stopping the explosion) or pipe (such as decoupling edges flames, quick-closing valves, fire extinguishers triggered) before the pressure is reaching a hazardous installation.

Plan to break the spread of the shock wave (Comfort, 1999, pp. 39-44).

Organizational Measures and Training in Explosion Risk.

Do not eject a flammable vapour may generate flammable or explosive during a storm.

Avoid ignition of explosive atmospheres.

Mitigate the effects of an explosion in the interest of health and safety of workers.

Divided into zones places where explosive atmospheres may occur without forgetting the valves of the pipes of flammable.

Ensure that the minimum be applied.

Report access locations where explosive atmospheres may occur.

To assess the risks arising or likely to be created by explosive atmospheres.

Establish an adequate monitoring.

Deliver training of workers for protection against explosion.

Make available to workers in working clothes to prevent their inflammation.

Give permission: any person to perform work (such as generating hot spots) must be competent, qualified and comply with the procedures before, during and after construction.

Master contractors: the head teacher Buyer is fully responsible for the contractors who come to work in areas with explosion hazards: training of stakeholder, develop a plan for prevention, compliance and monitoring procedures.

Implement technological measures, for action on fuel, (s) oxidizer (s) (inert), ignition ...