On hazardous material tank trucks and fire separation distances

I would like to say that every regulatory provision has its scope of application. One cannot apply a standard regulatory provision everywhere in the world. Scope of application of the petrochemical regulations: Applicable to the fire protection design of new construction, expansion, or renovation projects in petrochemical enterprises.

One can refer to the latest fire protection design codes. In my opinion, although this area is located within a petrochemical enterprise, its fire protection design still needs to be carried out in accordance with the established regulations.

3.4.4 The fire separation distances between high-rise factory buildings and storage tanks for categories A, B, and C liquids, storage tanks for flammable and oxidizing gases, liquefied petroleum gas tanks, and piles of combustible materials (other than coal and coke piles) shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 4 of this code, and shall not be less than 13 m. Explanation of the provisions: Figure 3.4.5 When the fire resistance ratings of factories of categories C, D, and E, as well as civil buildings, are both at level 1 or level 2, the fire separation distance between such factories and civil buildings can be reduced appropriately, provided that the following requirements are met: Explanation of the provisions: Figure 1 When the outer wall on the higher side is a fire-resistant wall without any doors, windows, or openings, or when the outer wall within a range of 15 meters or less above the roof of the adjacent lower building is also a fire-resistant wall without any doors, windows, or openings, then there is no limit on the fire separation distance ； 2 If the adjacent lower exterior wall is a fire wall, and the roof has no skylights or openings, with a fire resistance rating of not less than 1.00 hour; or if the adjacent higher exterior wall is a fire wall and fire protection measures have been taken for any openings in that wall, the required fire separation distance can be reduced appropriately, but it must not be less than 4 m. 3.4.6 For equipment containing chemically flammable substances installed outside a factory building, the fire separation distance between its outer wall and the outer wall of adjacent equipment installed outside other factory buildings, or the outer wall of adjacent factory buildings, shall not be less than the requirement specified in Article 3.4.1 of these specifications. Outdoor equipment made of non-combustible materials can be classified according to buildings with fire resistance ratings of level 1 or 2.

Appendix B Method for Calculating Fire Separation Distances B.0.1 The fire separation distance between buildings shall be calculated as the shortest horizontal distance between the outer walls of adjacent buildings; when there are protruding combustible or difficult-to-combust materials on the outer walls, the calculation shall start from the outer edge of those protrusions. The fire separation distance between buildings and storage tanks or stockyards shall be the shortest horizontal distance from the outer wall of the building to the outer wall of the storage tank or to the outer edge of the adjacent stack in the stockyard. B.0.2 The fire separation distance between storage tanks shall be the shortest horizontal distance between the outer walls of adjacent tanks. The fire separation distance between the storage tank and the yard should be the shortest horizontal distance from the outer wall of the storage tank to the outer edge of the adjacent stack in the yard. B.0.3 The fire separation distance between storage yards shall be the shortest horizontal distance between the outer edges of adjacent stacks in the two yards. B.0.4 The fire separation distance between transformers shall be the shortest horizontal distance between the outer walls of adjacent transformers. The fire separation distance between a transformer and a building, storage tank, or stack yard shall be the shortest horizontal distance from the outer wall of the transformer to the outer wall of the building, the outer wall of the storage tank, or the outer edge of the adjacent stack. B.0.5 The fire separation distance between buildings, storage tanks, or stockyards and roads or railways shall be the minimum horizontal distance from the outer wall of the building, the outer wall of the storage tank, or the outer edge of the adjacent stacks to the roadside on the side closest to the road or the center line of the railway.

1. It definitely doesn’t apply; just as was said on the second floor, every set of regulations has its scope of application. It’s not possible to simply take content from building codes and copy it over, as was done on the third floor. 2. The parking of hazardous materials tank trucks should, in theory, only take place in dedicated parking lots or loading/unloading stations within the factory premises; it is illegal to park them arbitrarily on roads, in residential areas, or elsewhere. The so-called safety distance should also refer to the safety distance in parking lots or loading/unloading stations, and the safety distances for such locations can be found in the relevant regulations.

If it is a liquefied gas tank truck, it cannot be used as a storage tank; refer to the 1994 document issued by the Ministry of Labor.

What needs to be clarified is that tank trucks and container trucks cannot be used as process storage tanks, nor should they be parked at a location within the company for extended periods of time – with the exception of those that are portable, as their power units are separate. In the case of the accident at Hebei Shenghua, most of those involved were truck drivers waiting outside the factory premises before entering the facility; from another perspective, this also reflects the policy of not allowing trucks to stay inside the factory overnight. However, when tank areas and filling stations are designed properly, fire separation distances are taken into account, and operations should take place in designated locations