Dow Fire & Explosion Index Presentation
Transcript of Dow Fire & Explosion Index Presentation
Dow Fire & Explosion Index
Alberta Industrial Fire Protection Association December 3, 2010
Michael Baxter, P. Eng.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Michael Baxter, P. Eng.Graduated 1989 "om University of Alberta, Structural Engineer
Factory Mutual Engineering - Loss Prevention Engineer
Marsh Canada Inc. - Loss Control Engineer
Baxter Risk Engineering, President
CNRL Horizon Project - Risk Engineer
Cenovus Energy - Process Safety Engineer/Fire Protection Engineer
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Dow Fire & Explosion Index
About the Index
Purpose of the Index
How Does the Index work
What are the results of the Hazard Analysis
Loss Control Credits
Summary of Results
Limitations
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Dow Fire & Explosion Index
Hazard Classification Guide - Seventh Edition
Origina&y issued in 1964
Based on actual loss experience
Widely used inside and outside of Dow
Leading Hazard Index recognized by the chemical industry
Edited version published by AICHe available to everyone
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PurposeDow F&E Index is a tool used for the evaluation of realistic fire, explosion and reactivity potential of process equipment and contents
Systematic methodology which provides a relative risk rank for process units
Used as a guide for the selection of fire protection methods
It is intended to be used early in the design stage, but can be used to evaluate existing processes
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How does it work1. Define Process Unit to be analyzed - Initial Screening
Chemical energy potential (Material Factor) - this is a measure of the intrinsic rate of potential energy release "om a fire or explosion
Quantity of hazardous material in Process Unit
Capital Density (do&ars per sq. *.)
Process pressure and temperature
Past history of fire and explosion incidents
Units critical to plant operation
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2. Process Unit Hazards
Exothermic / Endothermic Chemical Reaction
Material Handling and Transfer
Enclosed or Indoor Process Units
Access for Emergency Response
Drainage and Spi& Control
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3. Special Process Hazards Factors
Toxic Materials
Sub-Atmospheric Pressure
Operation in or Near Flammable Range
Dust Explosion
Relief Pressure
Low Temperature
Hot Oil Heat Exchange System
Rotating Equipment
Quantity of Flammable/Unstable Material
Liquids or Gases in Process
Liquids or Gases in Storage
Combustible Solids in Storage/Dusts in Process
Corrosion and Erosion
Leakage - Joints and Packing
Use of Fired Equipment
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Results of the Hazard Analysis
Determination of the Fire and Explosion Index
Material Factor x
Sum of Process Hazards Factors
xSum of Special Process
Hazards Factors
Degree of Hazard for F&EI
Degree of Hazard for F&EI
F&EI Index Range
Degree of Hazard
1-60 Light61 - 96 Moderate97 - 127 Intermediate128 - 158 Heavy159 - up Severe
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Loss Control Credit Factors
Process Control
Emergency Power
Cooling
Explosion Control
Emergency Shutdown
Computer Control
Inert Gas
Operating Procedures
Reactive Chemical Review
Process Hazard Analysis
Material Isolation
Remote Control Valves
Dump/Blowdown
Drainage
Interlock
Fire Protection
Leak Detection
Structural Steel (fireproofing)
Fire Water Supply
Special Systems
Sprinkler Systems
Water Curtains
Foam
Hand Extinguishers/Monitors
Cable Protection
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Analysis SummaryF&E Index - An industry recognized method for ranking the relative risk of a process unit
Hazard Analysis estimates the maximum damage that would probably result "om a realistic worst case incident at a process plant
Radius/Area of Exposure - shown on plot plans and used to estimate the extent of the affect of a fire
Base Maximum Probable Property Damage = area of exposure x do&ar amount per square *. x damage factor
Actual Maximum Probable Property Damage = Base Maximum Probable Property Damage x Loss Control Credit Factor
Maximum Probable Days Outage / Business Interruption
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What are the strengths
Methodology is easy to duplicate
Methodology forces the user to evaluate a& of the aspects of a process unit that increase the severity of a fire or explosion
Relatively easy to learn how to use the methodology
Methodology is based on actual loss experience, but is sti& fairly conservative
Industry recognized methodology for risk ranking a chemical process
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What are the limitationsIntended to be used during design stage of a project
Can also be used on an existing plant, but is harder to apply the fixes
Calculates Maximum Probable Property Damage, but is not a good tool for demonstrating normal expected loss
Loss control credit factors do not change the F&E Index, they only affect the Maximum Probable Property Damage
Use of the hazard analysis guide and interpretation of the results sti& requires some judgement
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