A method developed by dow chemical company for ranking the relative fire and explosion risk associated with a process. The experts at miller engineering are ann arborbased professional engineers celebrating 35 years of service to university, government, insurance, and industry through research, publications, presentations, and testimony. Move containers from fire area if you can do so without risk. The individual fire and explosion indices are combined to give an overall index for the process unit. Pdf fire and explosion risks in petrochemical plant. Multiple pathways for fire, explosion and toxic release are identified. Always have appropriate fire extinguishing equipment nearby, and know how to use it. A guide to fire and explosion investigations may 10, 2010, 12. Dow fire and explosion index fei dick hawrelak presented to es317y in 2001 at uwo introduction. Us fire administrations fema report on arson in the united states 147kb pdf femas emergency management guide for businesses. A guide to fire and explosion investigations law360. To address the problem posed by the assessment and or analysis of domino effects in industrial sites, several.
Fire load index unit toxicity index major toxicity incident index explosion index aerial explosion index overall index overall risk rating 29. However, the technique is very procedure oriented, and there is the danger of the user becoming more involved with the procedure than the intent. Analysts calculate various hazard and explosion indexes using material characteristics and process data. The dow fire and explosion index is a useful method for obtaining an estimate of the relative fire and explosion hazards associated with flammable and combustible chemicals. Technical reasons for hazards and process instability are explored. Nfpa 1 fire prevention code covers fire and explosion prevention through the regulation of conditions that could cause a fire or explosion. Combustion will yield carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride as the primary toxic products. Dow fire and explosion index 7th edition, january, 1994 db no. This section tells us about the chemicals flash point, autoignition temperature and upperlower flammability limits. Furthermore, firefighter gear can be polluted by toxic products. The cornerstone of both is the need to conduct risk assessments.
Introduction in an accidental fire, harm is caused by falls, heat. Fire, explosion and toxic release hazards of gasification plants are discussed. Since that time the committee has produced a rewrite of nfpa 907m the manual for the investigation of fires of electrical origin 1985 into a new 907m the manual for the determination of fires of electrical fire causes1988, and seven editions of a new document, nfpa 921 the guide for fire and explosion investigations 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2008, and 2011. The information contained herein is based on our state of knowledge at the abovespecified date. Monds fire explosion and toxicity index fe ti, the. Pasman2 1 department of chemical engineering, delft university of technology, the netherlands 2 mary kay oconnor process safety center, department of chemical. Read through the fire and explosion data section of this msds. May 23, 2015 the potential hazard expressed in terms of the initial value of a set of indices for fire, explosion and toxicity.
A credit approach to measure inherent hazards using the fire. Standard protection for all fire fighters as per their s. In case of fire andor explosion do not breathe fumes. The final part of the fire and explosion section states that where ever hazardous substances arise from material or epuipment, not the work process, all the potential sources of ignition have to be removed, controlled, or eliminated. This group was charged with preparing a report on the near and longterm needs to the fire and explosion investigation and forensic analysis communities. This is the first reference work on fire toxicity and the only scientific publication on the subject in the last 15 years. Assessment of hydrocarbon explosion and fire risks. We have provided superior technical support for litigation since 1974, and possess an extraordinarily talented technical team with impeccable academic and. T 10 more detailed classification by dow fire and explosion index range of dow. Fires and explosions can be prevented by being aware of your surroundings, minimizing the combustibles in them, and taking the appropriate protective precautions. The basic objectives that characterize fire explosion and toxicity index are, identification of equipment within the plant that would contribute to the. Includes factors that address the toxicity hazards.
Protective equipment and precautions for firefighters. Part b prevention of fire and explosion regulation 6 smoke generation potential and toxicity 1. Mond index as a tool to define fire, explosion, and toxic release hazard khan. There are specific aspects that need to be addressed under the two pieces of legislation. Pdf a credit approach to measure inherent hazards using the. Purpose the purpose of this regulation is to reduce the hazard to life from smoke and toxic products generated during a fire in spaces where persons normally work or live.
Timeconcentration curves for toxic gases during a fire in the open lounge of a twostorey maisonette smallscale toxicity tests and toxicity indices aset analysis for maisonette lounge fire shown. Fire water contaminated with this material must be contained. Dows fire and explosion index hazard classification guide, 7th. This material is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. In case of fire and or explosion do not breathe fumes. Part b prevention of fire and explosion regulation 6. Use pressuredemand selfcontained breathing apparatus scba unusual fire and explosion hazards. Nfpa 921 addresses all aspects of fire and explosion investigation, including methodology, evidence collection and failure analysis. In addition to the above, fire hydrant network is also provided. However, this conference was special for another reason, it highlighted the health. To address the problem posed by the assessment andor analysis of. Mayignite combustibles wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc. Fires, explosions and the release of toxic gases can therefore not covered in this manual.
Hull, assessment of the fire toxicity of building insulation materials, energy and buildings, 43, pp. Smoke toxicity and the effects of toxic components of smoke on human beings following nfpa 269 and astm e 1678 will be followed. Fire or explosion mayexplode from heat, shock, friction or contamination. The document is used in the field, in training and in court, and it serves as a guide for rendering accurate opinions on. Risks are heightened by modern preferences for novelty. This popular safety bestseller is designed to help the user quantify the expected damage of potential fire and explosion incidents in realistic terms, identify the equipment likely to contribute to the creation or escalation of an incident, and communicate the fire and explosion risk potential t. Therefore, this paper deals with certain chemical constituents of smoke from burning widespread materials, the toxicity of common hazardous chemicals, and potential health effects on firefighters and affected population from exposure to the fire smoke. Fire, smoke and toxicity how is fire, smoke and toxicity. By comparing the indices of fei and toxicity index, the unit under consideration is classified into one of the following three categories, classification of fei and toxicity index category fire explosion index toxicity index light 95 10 fire explosion and toxicity index for storage facility. Fei is the leading hazard index methodology recognized by the chemical industry. They are stationed throughout the state and respond to requests for assistance from local fire departments and law. Table 1 fire loss figure in china, 19921994 casualties,p roperty loss estimated item no. Article assessment of the fire toxicity of building.
Mond fire, explosion and toxicity index, safety weighted. Pdf the oil and gas industry is a theater of major accidents such as fire, explosion and dispersion of toxic substances. H335 target organ systemic toxicant repeated exposure category 2 h373 acute aquatic toxicity category 1 h400 chronic aquatic toxicity category 1 h410 for the full text of the hstatements mentioned in this section, see section 16. Electrical fire causes1988, and seven editions of a new document, nfpa 921 the guide for fire and explosion investigations 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2008, and 2011. Fire safety has focused on preventing ignition and reducing flame spread through reducing the rate of heat release, while neglecting the important issue of fire toxicity. Report on fire toxicity 2016 a unique event took place in preston last week. Specific target organ toxicity single exposure category 3 respiratory tract irritant. Fire extinguisher of small size and big size are provided at all potential fire hazard places. The matrix is not a compliance tool for conducting a comprehensive compliance evaluation of a fire prevention plan developed to comply with the fire prevention plan standard 29 cfr 1910. Such tests should be specified in the local fire codes. Assessment of hydrocarbon explosion and fire risks professor. Failure to learn from historic antecedents increases risk. In a fire or if heated, a pressure increase will occur and the container may burst, with the risk of a subsequent explosion. Fire and explosion hazard section university of south.
Based on dows fire and explosion risk analysis program, the index provides a stepbystep, objective evaluation of the actual fire and explosion, as well as reactivity potential of process equipment and its contents. The assessment of risk caused by fire and explosion in. Fire, explosion and chemical toxicity hazards of gasification. In order to use this fire prevention guidance effectively, an employer must first assess the risk of a terrorist incident in the workplace. Nfpa 921 is currently the fourth best selling nfpa individual publication. Fire and explosion investigations and forensic analyses. However, the technique is very procedure oriented, and there is the danger of the user becoming more involved with the. The fire and explosion matrix addresses terrorist actsincidents that involve arson or an explosive device to achieve political or social objectives.