Code for Fire Protection Design of Petrochemical Enterprises, 2008 edition: Distance between liquid ammonia tanks and Class D and E buildings
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As the title indicates, I encountered a problem in my actual security work. In a petrochemical plant, there is a sludge filtration building (classified as Category D or E). During normal operation, this building is not monitored by any staff. A liquid ammonia tank with a capacity of approximately 68 cubic meters is planned to be installed near the building. Since this liquid ammonia tank has no direct connection to the sludge filtration building, which regulations should be followed regarding the safety distance between them? Upon checking the \"Code for Fire Protection Design of Petrochemical Enterprises\" GB50160-2008, no relevant provisions were found; however, a requirement can be found in the \"Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings\" GB50016-2014, namely the provisions in clauses 4.3.7/4.4.1. However, the requirements for petrochemical plants are quite special; the safety distances required between various equipment and facilities differ significantly from those specified in the building codes. After discussing this with my colleagues, I felt that using the building codes was not appropriate. In the end, it was decided that it was sufficient to ensure safe distances for the operation and maintenance of the equipment and buildings, but no relevant guidelines could be found. This raises another question: in the petrochemical regulations, which standard should be followed to determine the safe distance between Class A and B facilities and storage tanks, and between such facilities or tanks and Class D and E facilities or buildings? Looking forward to answers from experts; evidence would be ideal
It is recommended to follow Table 4.2.12 of the petrochemical regulations, and a distance of 15 meters from the sewage treatment plant should be maintained.
For now, we can only look at the 2008 version
Inside a petrochemical plant, petrochemical regulations should be followed
There is some truth to that, but in the original design, it was considered to be part of the internal layout of the device, and only space for operating the equipment needed to be reserved; the pre-evaluation report reached the same conclusion, and ultimately the design was approved by the expert review. When it came to the acceptance phase, there were intense discussions within our company, and in the end, rectification requirements were proposed in accordance with building codes.
Based on the details of your project, the liquid ammonia tank with a volume of around 68 cubic meters already constitutes a major hazard source; therefore, it’s better to be cautious for everyone’s sake.
1. In GB50160-4.2.12, the fire separation distances for sewage treatment plants apply only to oil separation tanks and oily waste tanks; other types of tanks such as intermediate tanks, filtration tanks, and sewage treatment power distribution rooms do not require any fire separation distance.
2. For petrochemical projects, the layout of the original plant area is governed by petrochemical standards. Whether it is an expansion or a second phase of construction, petrochemical standards take precedence in all cases. Only when petrochemical standards do not provide specific guidelines can building codes be used as a reference for auxiliary equipment outside the plant buildings, but this is not an absolute requirement.
3. Regarding sludge pressing plants, it is first necessary to determine whether a fire would affect the entire production of the plant or only part of it. This could mean a suspension of production overall (1), or only certain units’ production (2), or no impact at all (3). If there is no impact, then such facilities are not considered class II important or regionally important facilities, which simplifies things significantly – in such cases, one can simply follow the guidelines for fire separation distances between Class B storage tanks as specified in GB50016-2014-4.2.1-15M. 15m 4.
2. For petrochemical projects, the layout of the original plant area is governed by petrochemical standards. Whether it is an expansion or a second phase of construction, petrochemical standards take precedence in all cases. Only when petrochemical standards do not provide specific guidelines can building codes be used as a reference for auxiliary equipment outside the plant buildings, but this is not an absolute requirement.
3. Regarding sludge pressing plants, it is first necessary to determine whether a fire would affect the entire production of the plant or only part of it. This could mean a suspension of production overall (1), or only certain units’ production (2), or no impact at all (3). If there is no impact, then such facilities are not considered class II important or regionally important facilities, which simplifies things significantly – in such cases, one can simply follow the guidelines for fire separation distances between Class B storage tanks as specified in GB50016-2014-4.2.1-15M. 15m 4.