Oil and Chemical Plant Layout and Spacing
GE GAP Guidelines
A Publication of GE Global Asset Protection Services
GAP.2.5.2 September 3, 2001
OIL AND CHEMICAL PLANT LAYOUT AND SPACING
INTRODUCTION
Loss experience clearly shows that fires or explosions in congested areas of oil and chemical plants can result in extensive losses. Wherever explosion or fire hazards exist, proper plant layout and adequate spacing between hazards are essential to loss prevention and control. Layout relates to the relative position of equipment or units within a given site. Spacing pertains to minimum distances between units or equipment. GE Global Asset Protection Services (GE GAP Services) layout and spacing recommendations are for property loss prevention purposes only and are intended for existing and new oil and chemical facilities. These guidelines are intended to limit explosion overpressure and fire exposure damage. They do not address shrapnel damage. If these guidelines cannot be followed, then additional loss control measures, such as fire proofing, waterspray or blast hardening will be necessary. GE GAP Services guidelines only address spacing and layout within a plant and are mostly applicable to open structures. An open air design favors vapor dissipation, provides adequate ventilation, reduces the size of the electrically classified area, and increases firefighting accessibility. Additional information can be found in several publications.1
POSITION Management Programs
Management program administrators should report to top management through the minimum number of steps. They should also institute loss prevention inspection and audit programs to communicate program effectiveness to top management. This management feedback is a key feature of GAP.1.0.1 (OVERVIEW).2 In developing a program, pay particular attention to the following important areas: Hazard Identification and Evaluation Program Determine the plant layout and spacing necessary to limit loss size based on worst case scenarios for vapor cloud,
A Publication of GE Global Asset Protection Services
GAP.2.5.2 September 3, 2001
OIL AND CHEMICAL PLANT LAYOUT AND SPACING
INTRODUCTION
Loss experience clearly shows that fires or explosions in congested areas of oil and chemical plants can result in extensive losses. Wherever explosion or fire hazards exist, proper plant layout and adequate spacing between hazards are essential to loss prevention and control. Layout relates to the relative position of equipment or units within a given site. Spacing pertains to minimum distances between units or equipment. GE Global Asset Protection Services (GE GAP Services) layout and spacing recommendations are for property loss prevention purposes only and are intended for existing and new oil and chemical facilities. These guidelines are intended to limit explosion overpressure and fire exposure damage. They do not address shrapnel damage. If these guidelines cannot be followed, then additional loss control measures, such as fire proofing, waterspray or blast hardening will be necessary. GE GAP Services guidelines only address spacing and layout within a plant and are mostly applicable to open structures. An open air design favors vapor dissipation, provides adequate ventilation, reduces the size of the electrically classified area, and increases firefighting accessibility. Additional information can be found in several publications.1
POSITION Management Programs
Management program administrators should report to top management through the minimum number of steps. They should also institute loss prevention inspection and audit programs to communicate program effectiveness to top management. This management feedback is a key feature of GAP.1.0.1 (OVERVIEW).2 In developing a program, pay particular attention to the following important areas: Hazard Identification and Evaluation Program Determine the plant layout and spacing necessary to limit loss size based on worst case scenarios for vapor cloud,
References: 1. Hazard Survey of the Chemical and Allied Industries, Technical Survey No. 3, 1968, American Insurance Association, New York, NY. An Engineer’s Guide To Process-Plant Layout, F.F. House, July 28, 1969, Chemical Engineering, McGraw Hill, New York, NY. Process Plant Layout, by J.C. Mecklenburgh, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY. Loss Prevention In The Process Industries, F. P. Lees, Volumes 1 & 2, Butterworths, Boston, MA. Loss Prevention Fundamentals For The Process Industry, O. M. Slye Jr., Loss Prevention Symposium, March 1988, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, NY. NFPA 30-2000, Flammable And Combustible Liquids Code, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. NFPA 58-2001, Liquefied Natural Gas, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. OVERVIEW, GE Global Asset Protection Services. NFPA 496-1998, Purged And Pressurized Enclosures For Electrical Equipment In Hazardous (Classified) Locations, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. API RP 521-1982: Guide For Pressure-Relieving And Depressurizing Systems, American Petroleum Institute, Washington, DC. Center for Chemical Process Safety, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, NY. Fire & Explosion Index, Hazard Classification Guide, Dow Chemical Company, Sixth edition, available from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, NY. API RP 752-1995: Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Buildings, American Petroleum Institute, Washington, DC. GE GAP Guidelines 13 A Publication of GE Global Asset Protection Services