CFATS FAQ: What is a thermal radiation zone?
Question What is a thermal radiation zone? Answer
Safety and Security Plans for Class 3 Hazardous Materials Transported by Rail
PHMSA and FRA are issuing this safety advisory as a follow-up to the agencies’ joint safety advisory published on August 7, 2013 and FRA’s Emergency Order No. 28 published that same day, both of which relate to the July 6, 2013, catastrophic accident in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. In this safety advisory, PHMSA and FRA are reinforcing
Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security: Listening Sessions
Please join the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Occupational Health and Safety Administration, and several other federal agencies including the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, for a series of listening sessions on Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security (Executive Order 13650 (EO). The first session will be held November 5 in Texas City,
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS ROAD TANKER EXPLOSION (BLEVE Incident)
On the 20th of October 2011 there was a traffic accident in Murcia (Spain) involving a Liquid Natural Gas tanker which resulted in the cargo exploding. This the second explosion of this type recorded in the World, following that which occurred in Tivissa (Spain) in 2002. The initial accident occurred when the tanker collided with
Vehicle impact protection for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exchange cages
Many state fire marshal’s are starting to enforce barrier protection at propane tank exchange racks. We have seen these racks placed in some wild locations at gas stations and other retail businesses and to date no code or standard actually dictates their location. But there are applicable NFPA requirements, for the impact protection for these
Answering the question… Can a Relief Valve be installed horizontally?
This is one of those process safety questions: if 100 engineers were asked, you would NOT get the same answer from all 100. Although there may be other topics, this little fact would also hold true; this aspect of PSM is a critical path in process safety, so we need to get the FACTS on
Natural Gas Line Excavation ignition caught on camera
A perfectly placed private security camera caught the exact moment when a fire broke out at a broken gas line in downtown Columbia Wednesday afternoon. The gas line was hit around 4 p.m. while a private contractor was digging to install underground communications lines near Richland and Sumter streets. SCE&G employees responded to the scene,
Pipeline Safety: Notice to Operators of Hazardous Liquid and Natural Gas Pipelines of a Recall on Leak Repair Clamps Due to Defective Seal
PHMSA is issuing an Advisory Bulletin to alert all pipeline operators of a T.D. Williamson, Inc. (TDW) Leak Repair Clamp (LRC) recall issued by TDW on June 17, 2013. The recall covers all TDW LRCs of any pressure class and any size. The LRCs may develop a dangerous leak due to a defective seal. Hazardous
A start for discussing Hydrostatic Relief Valves (HRVs)
In the world of process safety and piping design, Hydrostatic Relief Valves (HRVs)—often simply called thermal relief valves—are the unsung heroes that prevent piping ruptures during periods of inactivity. While a standard Safety Relief Valve (SRV) protects against massive surges or process upsets, the HRV is specifically designed to handle the thermal expansion of trapped
Ammonia Engine/Machinery Rooms and Hazardous Locations is NOT driven by PSM/RMP alone
Over the last several years we have come across several facilities that handle anhydrous ammonia and have a dangerous misunderstanding of “hazardous locations”. It seems that somewhere/someone had informed them that their engine room(s) did not need proper ventilation since they were below the 10,000 pound PSM/RMP threshold. They were badly misinformed and here’s why…
Federal Railroad Administration Issues Emergency Order to Prevent Unintended Hazardous Materials Train Movement
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued an Emergency Order and Safety Advisory to help prevent trains operating on mainline tracks or sidings from moving unintentionally. The FRA’s announcement was made in response to the July 6, 2013 derailment in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, Canada, as it awaits additional data once the investigation