Oil industry initiative to develop site-specific, risk-reduction measures for large storage tank installations
Thirteen oil companies have launched LASTFIRE (Large Atmospheric Storage Tank Fire integrated risk management study), a Joint Industry Project for developing guidelines for appropriate fire hazard management practices for large storage tank installations. The project will include reviews of areas such as tank design, construction, inspection, and operation and maintenance as well as incident detection equipment, fire protection systems, fire consequence production, and firefighting practices. The overall objective is to provide practical guidance for implementing the most appropriate site-specific, risk-reduction measures to be taken at any installation, according to Resource Protection International, Ltd., independent oil industry fire hazard management consultants who will oversee the project in conjunction with fire hazard experts from BP Research and Engineering and Shell Research.
The project`s primary activities will include conducting an incident frequency survey of fires in large-diameter atmospheric storage tanks, reviewing how such fires develop, conducting an analysis to establish best current industry practices in managing the fire risk in these facilities, and producing a Risk Workbook that will facilitate applying the best practices appropriate to conditions at a specific site.
Organizations involved in reducing the risk of fire in large storage tank operations (designers/manufacturers, owners/operators, insurers, fire prevention/detection/protection experts, firefighters, and fire research organizations) are invited to provide input and to join the initiative. Contact Dr. Niall Ramsden, LASTFIRE Project Coordinator; Resource Protection International Ltd., Suite 3, Lloyd Berkeley Place; Pebble Lane, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP20 2JH, United Kingdom; tel: (01296) 399311; fax: (01296) 395669.
