Dow Fire

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2004 CSChE-PSM Summer Institute

• Dow Fire Explosion Index
• prepared by
• Steve Coe
• Irving Oil

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Dow FEIFire Explosion Index

• A step-by-step objective evaluation of the
  realistic fire or explosion potential of
  processing or storage equipment.
• Purpose is to
• Quantify expected fire and explosion damage
• Identify equipment likely to contribute
• Communicate FE risk to management

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Dow FEI Some History

• Originally developed 1964, now 7th edition.
• Based on empirical analysis of actual events.
• Widely used in many industries.
• Referenced in some countries regulations.
• Insurance assessments tend to be worst imaginable
  case.
• FEI is a more realistic case that could
  actually happen.

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FEI Procedure
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FEI - General Information
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Material Factor

• A measure of the intrinsic rate of potential
  energy release from a fire or explosion.
• Obtained from the NFPA ratings NF and NR.
• Adjusted for operating temp.
• Mixtures can be accommodated.

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General Hazards Event Magnitude

• General Process Hazards Penalty Factor
  Range
• Base Factor 1.00
• A. Exothermic Reactions 0.30 to 1.25
• B. Endothermic Processes 0.20 to 0.40 
• C. Matl Handling and Transfer 0.25 to
  1.05 
• D. Enclosed/ Indoor Process 0.25 to
  0.90 
• E. Access 0.20 to 0.35 
• F. Drainage and Spill Control 0.25 to
  0.50
•  
• Add them up
• General Process Hazards Factor F1

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Special Hazards - Likelihood

• 2. Special Hazards Penalty Range
• Base Factor 1
• A. Toxicity 0.2 0.8
• B. Sub-Atm pressure 0.5
• C. Operation in flammable range
• storage 0.5
• process upset 0.3
• always in flammable 0.8
• D. Dust Explosion 0.25 2.0
• E. Pressure operating/relief 0 0.85
• F. Low Temperature 0.2 0.3
• G. Quantity of material
• in process 0.1 3.0
• in storage 0.1 1.65
• H. Corrosion/erosion 0.1 0.75
• I. Leakage joints, packing 0.1 1.5
• J. Fired equipment 0.1 1.0
• K. Hot Oil system 0.15 1.15
• L. Rotating Equipment 0.5

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FEI - Calculation

• General Process Hazard Factor F1
• Special Process Hazard Factor F2
• Process Unit Hazard Factor (F1xF2) F3
• FEI F3 x MF

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Loss Control Credit Factors
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Loss Control Credit Factors

• Process Control Factors (C1)
• Emergency Power, Cooling, Computer Control, Inert
  gas, Hazard Analysis, Operating Instructions
• Material Isolation Factors (C2)
• Remote control valves, Dump tanks, Drainage,
  Interlocks
• Fire Protection Factors (C2)
• Leak detection, Steel protection, Fire Water
  supply, Deluge, Foam, Monitors, Cable Protection
• Loss Control Credit Factor
• (LCCF) C1xC2xC3

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FEI Risk Analysis

• FEI
• Radius of Exposure ? Area of Exposure
• Value of the Area/Volume of Exposure
• Damage Factor (function of F3 MF)
• Base Maximum Probable Property Damage
• Loss Control Credit Factor (LCCF)
• Actual MPPD
• Maximum Probable Days Outage (MPDO)
• Business Interruption (BI)

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So What!

• Useful for plant siting, plot plan development
• Eliminate penalties for Inherent Safety
• Incorporate Loss Control Credit Factors
• Technologically elegant can be Minimum Risk

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How?

• Include calculation of risk a part of the plant
  design project.
• Getting a Quick Handle on Major Site Hazards
  guide on the PSM Division page of the CSChE web
  site
• www.cheminst.ca/division/psm/index.htm
• Dr. F. Khan, Dr. P. Amyotte Quantifying
  Inherent Safety Aspects of Dow Indices

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Dow Fire and Explosion Index

• What questions are there?