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

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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 at extremely high levels. Fully cryogenic 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 shutdown devices for the inlet and outlet pipes. 6.3.14 Full-pressure liquefied hydrocarbon storage tanks should be equipped with a secondary dehydration system that includes anti-freezing measures, and 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 Areas for Major Hazardous Sources of Hazardous Chemicals\" (AQ3036-2010) 5 Requirements for the installation of interlock control equipment 5.1 Interlock automatic control equipment for parameters such as the temperature, liquid level, pressure of storage tanks, and ambient temperature can be installed according to actual conditions; this includes equipment for automatic shutdown or transfer of materials, as well as spraying systems for cooling. 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 such devices as well as delayed execution. If necessary, emergency pressure relief or material recovery facilities should also be installed. III. 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) Article 13: 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) Install emergency shutoff devices for key facilities such as toxic gases, highly toxic liquids, and flammable gases among the major hazard sources ； For facilities handling toxic gases, emergency devices for dealing with leaks must be installed. For Class 1 or Class 2 major hazard sources 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 alarm systems for leaks of flammable, explosive, toxic, and harmful gases are in good working condition. Emergency shut-off valves must be installed on key storage tanks such as large-scale ones, those for liquefied gases, and those containing highly toxic chemicals. V. Design Code for Oil Depots GB50074-2014 8.3.10 Emergency shut-off valves shall be installed at appropriate locations along the shore where pipelines carrying flammable and combustible liquids pass. 13.2.2 When oil-containing wastewater pipes within the fire dike of the tank farm exit the dike, cut-off measures outside the dike should be implemented to prevent leaking 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, No. An Jian Zong Guan San (2016) 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 Code for Safe Design of Spherical Storage Tanks for Liquefied Hydrocarbons: 6.1 Emergency shut-off valves should be installed at the liquid inlet and outlet of spherical storage tanks for liquefied petroleum, and these valves should be located as close as possible to the spherical tank. VIII. SH/T 3007-2014 Design Code for Storage Areas in Petrochemical Processing and Transportation Systems: 5.5 stipulates that storage tanks with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters or more should be equipped with high-level liquid level alarms, which should be interlocked with the control valves of the feed pipes; such that the control valves for the feed pipes can be automatically closed when the liquid level in the tank reaches the set value ； IX. AQ 3053-2015 Safety Technical Specifications for Vertical Cylindrical Welded Steel Storage Tanks 3.1.2 Safety accessories: These refer to the safety devices installed on the storage tank, including safety valves/vent valves mounted directly on the tank, emergency shut-off devices, safety interlock systems, pressure gauges, level gauges, thermometers, flame arrestors, etc. 6.13 Isolation Valve: A main isolation valve should be installed near the tank body on the inlet and outlet pipes of the material in the storage 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 cut-off valve should have automatic and manual shutdown functions, with manual shutdown including remote manual shutdown and on-site manual shutdown. 12.1 General requirements for safety accessories Safety accessories shall meet the following requirements: c) Safety accessories such as safety valves and emergency shut-off valves that require type testing must undergo type testing at type testing institutions approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, and obtain corresponding type test certification documents ； f) For fixed-roof storage tanks, if the connection between the roof and the tank wall does not meet the requirements for a weak roof connection as specified in GB 50341, and the breather valve installed is not sufficient to meet the ventilation needs 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; interlocking between the high-high liquid level alarm and the emergency shut-off device should be implemented, and interlocking buttons for the emergency shut-off valves should be provided 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 cut-off valve; once the cut-off 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 Socially 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 detectors and alarms 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 the violation is not corrected within the prescribed time, the entity shall be ordered to suspend operations for rectification in accordance with the law. By comprehensively employing various measures, we compel enterprises to accelerate their transformation and upgrading, thereby rapidly improving their inherent safety levels and safety assurance capabilities. “Ten Provisions on Fire and Explosion Prevention in Oil and Gas Tank Farms”, 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 cut-off valves of operating 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 shut down 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. 8. It is strictly prohibited to use non-explosion-proof lighting, electrical equipment, tools, and electronic devices in oil and gas tank areas. 9. It is strictly prohibited for unqualified personnel and contractors without relevant qualifications to engage in work within the oil and gas tank farm. Without permission, motor vehicles and external personnel are not allowed to enter the tank farm. 10. It is strictly prohibited for equipment and facilities in oil and gas tank farms to operate while being damaged or malfunctioning.