Archive for the ‘ Fire Precautions ’ Category

Understanding LEL of Common Combustible Gases

by Lukman Nulhakiem

LEL-of-common-combustible-gasesThere are many common combustible gases found in chemical plant. These combustible gases have one similarity. They can be ignited when their concentration in air are within their flammability limits.

What are flammability limits? Flammability limits or commonly known as explosive limits are defined as concentration of combustible gas in mixture with air in which they can be ignited and exploded in the presence of source of ignition.

The lowest concentration of a combustible gas in mixture with air where it still can be ignited is called by Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) or Lower Flammable Limit (LFL). Whereas, the highest concentration of a combustible gas in mixture with air where it still can be ignited is called by Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) or Upper Flammable Limit (UFL). (more…)

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Malfunctioning Fuel Monitoring System Might Cause Puerto Rico Fuel Storage Fire

U.S Chemical Safety Board (CSB) exposed its initial investigation over the fire explosion on last October 23, 2009, at Puerto Rico fuel storage depot, which is owned by Caribbean Petroleum Corp in Bayamon, San Juan.puerto-rico-fire

According to CSB, the accident was caused by malfunctioning of fuel level monitoring system that made the gasoline tank overfilled. No employees were aware about the tank overfilling since the computerized level monitoring system was not fully operational, as reported by Reuters. (more…)

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Simple Design of Power Cable Rack Removes Flammable Liquid Hazard

combustible-material-on-power-cableI took this picture when I was walking through the plant site for safety patrol. The picture shows lubrication oil dropped on compressor’s power cable. Then, what’s wrong with this picture?

Lubrication oil is a combustible liquid, and inside power cable is electricity, a source of ignition, spark and heat. Imagine if the lubrication oil is a flammable process fluid and power cable leaks. Image if the process liquid is not compatible with power cable material, then what will happen? (more…)

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Consider Analysis Error When Determining Flammable Gas Concentration

flammable-gas-detectorBefore starting welding work at an existing flammable gas facility, nitrogen substitution is the first step to do. Flammable gas inside the facility has to be replaced by nitrogen, in order to move its concentration beyond its explosion limit or explosion range.

Explosion limit data should be referred to MSDS of the flammable gas. It is described in MSDS in terms of Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) and Upper Explosion Limit (UEL). (more…)

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A Brief Introduction to Combustible Dust Explosion

In the previous post, I have posted about Chemical Safety Board report on explosion at Imperial Sugar Company, USA. Combustible dust sugar was related to that accident. Then, what does a dust explosion mean actually? According to wikipedia, a dust explosion is the combustion of a particle(s) of dust suspended in the air in an enclosed location, resulting in overpressure, thermal radiation, and ensuing projectiles.

From the basic point of view, a fire can only exist whenever an oxidant (oxygen), a combustible material and a source of ignition come together. The three components are famously called by the fire triangle. Meanwhile, in the case of dust explosion, it requires not only the fire triangle components but also combustible dust material must be in an enclosed space or confined space and suspended in the air at the certain concentration.  (more…)

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Short Tips on Flammable Liquid Spillage Prevention

tank-drain-pipe

A tank drain

This story was appeared while we were being audited by a fire insurance company. Here is summary of the finding.

Sealing on pipe ends such as tank drain by installing plugs, caps, blind plates could prevent large spillage. This is especially important for tank that holds highly flammable liquid.” (more…)

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Flammable Liquid Tank Dike Capacity

tank-dike-capacityIn case of flammable liquid spills from tank, it will not only contaminate the environment but fire hazard seems likely to happen. In this case, adequacy of dike or bound wall capacity holds an important factor.

It is advisable that dike or bound wall is designed to be able to contain 110% of the maximum flammable liquid tank capacity. If there are several tanks in that area, dike capacity should be designed to contain 110% of the biggest tank volume. (more…)

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