Some specifications regarding the installation of emergency shut-off valves in tank areas

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I. Code for Fire Protection Design of Petrochemical Enterprises GB50160-2008 6.3.11 Storage tanks for liquefied hydrocarbons shall be equipped with level gauges, thermometers, pressure gauges, safety valves, as well as high-level alarms and automatic interlock systems to cut off feed when the level reaches a high value. Fully frozen liquefied hydrocarbon storage tanks should also be equipped with vacuum relief facilities and high/low temperature monitoring, and should be connected to an automatic control system. 6.3.12 The gas tank shall be equipped with upper and lower limit alarm devices, and it is advisable to have automatic interlock cut-off devices for the inlet and outlet pipes. 6.3.14 For fully pressurized liquefied hydrocarbon storage tanks, a secondary dehydration system with anti-freezing measures is recommended; an emergency shut-off valve should be installed at the base of the tank. II. “Specifications for the Installation of On-Site Safety Monitoring Equipment in Tank Farms for Major Hazardous Chemicals” (AQ3036-2010) 5 Requirements for the installation of interlock control equipment 5.1 Depending on actual conditions, interlock automatic control equipment can be installed for parameters such as the temperature, liquid level, pressure of the storage tanks, and ambient temperature. This includes equipment for automatically shutting off or transferring materials, as well as spray cooling equipment. 5.2 The emergency switching device shall take into account the impact on the safe operation of upstream and downstream devices, and shall provide functions for alarm communication with those devices as well as delayed execution. If necessary, emergency pressure relief or material recovery facilities should be installed simultaneously. III. Article 13 of the Interim Provisions on the Supervision and Management of Major Hazard Sources of Hazardous Chemicals (issued by Order No. 40 of the State Administration of Work Safety on August 5, 2011, and amended by Order No. 79 of the State Administration of Work Safety on May 27, 2015): Hazardous chemical enterprises shall, based on the types and quantities of hazardous chemicals that constitute major hazard sources, as well as the production and usage processes (methods) or relevant equipment and facilities, establish and improve safety monitoring systems in accordance with the following requirements to enhance control measures: (1) Major hazard sources shall be equipped with systems for continuous collection and monitoring of information such as temperature, pressure, liquid level, flow rate, and composition, as well as detection and alarm devices for leaks of flammable gases and toxic and harmful gases. Such systems shall also have functions such as remote data transmission, continuous recording, accident early warning, and information storage ； Class 1 or Class 2 major hazard sources are equipped with an emergency shutdown function. The electronic data recorded shall be retained for no less than 30 days ； (II) Automated control systems for chemical production facilities and equipment involving major hazard sources that meet safety production requirements ； For Class 1 or Class 2 major hazard sources, an emergency shutdown system is required ； (III) For key facilities involving toxic gases, highly toxic liquids, and flammable gases among major hazard sources, emergency shut-off devices shall be installed ； For facilities handling toxic gases, emergency devices for dealing with leaks must be installed. For major hazard sources of level 1 or 2 involving toxic gases, liquefied gases, or highly toxic liquids, an independent Safety Instrumented System (SIS) must be installed ； IV. **Notice of the General Administration of Work Safety on Further Strengthening the Safety Management of Chemical Storage Areas, An Jian Zong Guan San [2014] No. 68: Further improve the monitoring and control facilities in chemical storage areas. In accordance with regulatory requirements, high and low liquid level alarms are installed in the storage tank; automatic interlocks are employed to shut off the tank’s feed valve when the liquid level is too high, and to stop material transfer when the liquid level is too low. Ensure that the leakage alarm systems for flammable, explosive, toxic, and harmful gases are in good working condition. Emergency shut-off valves must be installed on key storage tanks for large quantities, liquefied gases, and highly toxic chemicals. V. Design Code for Oil Depots GB50074-2014, Clause 8.3.10: At appropriate locations along the shore where pipelines for flammable and combustible liquids are located, shut-off valves for use in emergency situations shall be installed. 13.2.2 When oil-containing wastewater pipes within the fire dike of the tank farm emerge outside the dike, cut-off measures shall be taken outside the dike to prevent leaks of flammable and combustible liquids from escaping into the tank farm. VI. **Notice from the General Administration of Work Safety on Issuing Guidelines for Curbing Serious Accidents Involving Hazardous Chemicals and Fireworks and Firecrackers, Anquan Zongguan San (2016) No. 62: Strengthening Risk Management and the Identification and Resolution of Hidden Dangers. 3. Proactively carry out special rectification efforts regarding hazardous chemicals, and implement comprehensive measures for key areas of risk control: (4) As of January 1, 2017, all hazardous chemical storage areas that constitute Class I or Class II major hazard sources and do not have emergency shutdown (emergency isolation) functions must cease to be in use ； VII. SH3136-2003 “Safety Design Regulations for Spherical Storage Tanks of Liquefied Hydrocarbons”: 6.1 For spherical storage tanks used for liquefied petroleum gas, emergency shut-off valves shall be installed at the liquid-phase inlet and outlet; these valves should be located as close as possible to the spherical tank.
VIII. SH/T 3007-2014 “Design Code for Tank Farms in Petrochemical Storage and Transportation Systems”: 5.5 stipulates that for tanks with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters or more, a high-level alarm shall be installed, which must be interlocked with the control valve on the feed pipe. When the liquid level inside the tank reaches the preset value, the control valve on the feed pipe must automatically close ； IX. AQ 3053-2015 Safety Technical Specifications for Vertical Cylindrical Steel Welded Storage Tanks, 3.1.2 Safety facilities: Safety facilities for storage tanks include safety valves/breathing valves installed directly on the tanks, emergency shut-off devices, safety interlock devices, pressure gauges, level indicators, thermometers, flame arresters, etc. 6.13 A main shut-off valve shall be installed near the tank on the inlet and outlet pipelines of the shut-off valve tank. For large storage tanks, valves equipped with pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuators should be used. When the actuator is of electric type, its power cable, signal cable, and electric actuator shall be provided with fire protection. The shut-off valve shall have automatic closing and manual closing functions; manual closing includes remote manual closing and on-site manual closing. 12.1 General requirements for safety accessories. Safety accessories shall meet the following requirements: c) Safety accessories requiring type testing, such as safety valves and emergency shut-off valves, must undergo type testing at a testing institution approved by the **General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine**, and must obtain certification documents attesting to the successful completion of such testing ； f) For fixed-roof storage tanks, if the junction between the roof and the tank wall does not meet the requirements for weak-roof connections as specified in GB 50341, and the vent valves installed are not sufficient to ensure proper ventilation in emergency situations, an emergency ventilation device should also be provided. 12.2.2 Level control accessories: Flammable liquid storage tanks shall be equipped with level gauges, high and low level alarm devices, as well as high-high level alarm devices, in accordance with the requirements of relevant specifications and operational needs; the alarm signals and level information shall be transmitted to the control room. Storage tanks that are operated frequently should be equipped with automatic interlock emergency shut-off devices. Large tanks should be equipped with low and high liquid level alarms, high-high liquid level alarm devices, and emergency shut-off devices; in addition, interlocking between the high-high liquid level alarm and the emergency shut-off device should be implemented. Interlock buttons for the emergency shut-off valves should be installed outside the fire dike as well as at the control room operation stations. In the event of a high liquid level alarm or a fire in the storage tank, it is possible to remotely or manually close the feed isolation valve; once the isolation valve is closed, the feed pump should be automatically shut down via interlock. X. Notice from the Office of the State Council Safety Committee regarding the chlorine poisoning incident at Hebei Lixing Special Rubber Co., Ltd. on May 13 (Safety Committee Office [2017] No. 17). II. Strengthen administrative approvals and enhance control at the source. Safety supervision departments at all levels should further strengthen control at the source, regarding factors such as personnel competence, safety management capabilities, and equipment standards as necessary conditions for companies to gain access to carry out safety-related activities. The safety distances between the relevant facilities and storage areas and their surroundings must comply with the \"Personal Acceptable Risk Standards and Societal Acceptable Risk Standards for Hazardous Chemical Production and Storage Facilities (Trial)\\" (Announcement No. 13 of 2014 by the State Administration of Work Safety). Hazardous chemical storage areas that constitute Class I or Class II major hazard sources must be equipped with emergency shutdown (emergency isolation) functions, while such storage areas that are considered major hazard sources must also have detection and alarm systems for leaks of flammable and toxic gases. Those that fail to meet the above requirements shall be ordered to make corrections within a specified time limit in accordance with the law ； If no correction is made by the deadline, production and business operations shall be ordered to cease for rectification in accordance with the law. By integrating various measures, pressure is exerted on enterprises to accelerate their transformation and upgrading, thereby enhancing their inherent safety levels and safety protection capabilities. “Ten Provisions on Fire and Explosion Prevention in Oil and Gas Storage Areas”, Safety Supervision Administration, Political and Legal Affairs Department [2017] No. 15: 1. It is strictly prohibited to operate oil and gas storage tanks beyond their temperature, pressure, or liquid level limits, as well as to change the storage medium arbitrarily. II. It is strictly prohibited for operators to leave the site when manually removing water, switching tanks, or loading/unloading vehicles in oil and gas tank farms. III. It is strictly prohibited to shut down the safety valves and isolation valves of operational oil and gas storage tanks, as well as to install blind flanges on the pressure relief and discharge systems. IV. It is strictly prohibited to disable the temperature, pressure, level, as well as combustible and toxic gas alarm and interlock systems in oil and gas tank farms. V. It is strictly prohibited to perform welding work or enter confined spaces in oil and gas tank areas without conducting gas testing and obtaining an operation permit. VI. It is strictly prohibited for the floating disk of an internal floating roof storage tank to touch the bottom during operation. VII. It is strictly prohibited to directly add substances of unknown properties or those that may undergo violent reactions into oil and gas storage tanks or the pipelines connected to them. VIII. The use of non-explosion-proof lighting, electrical equipment, tools, and electronic devices in oil and gas tank farms is strictly prohibited. 9. It is strictly prohibited to allow unqualified personnel and contractors without the necessary qualifications to work in oil and gas tank farms; motor vehicles and unauthorized individuals are not permitted to enter such areas without permission. 10. It is strictly prohibited for equipment and facilities in oil and gas tank farms to operate while being damaged or malfunctioning.