Domino effects at LPG and propane storage sites in the Netherlands

Dutch national standards play an important role in preventing domino accidents with hazardous substances, as they offer tabulations of calculated safety distances for several types of installations. This paper describes the way in which safety distances for LPG and propane storage sites were derived. The safety distances are published in two national standards (PGS 18 and 19). For LPG and propane storage sites, the most important type of domino accident is a fired BLEVE of the LPG or propane pressure vessel. Initiating events are pool fire, jet fire and fire from buildings (flat radiator). In PGS 18 and 19, safety distances are defined that should reduce the likelihood of a fired BLEVE. In this paper, we discuss the assumptions that were used to define these safety distances. Apart from providing sufficient separation between objects, additional measures exist to reduce the likelihood of domino events to LPG and propane vessels. The use of certain safety measures can lead to smaller safety distances. The aim of Dutch policy is that the national standards reduce the likelihood of domino effects to an acceptable level. Subsequently, domino effects do not have to be considered in quantitative risk analyses that are used for land-use planning. - Highlights: • Safety distances were derived for LPG and propane storage sites in The Netherlands. • The safety distances are used for publication in two Dutch national standards. • The safety distances can be reduced by a maximum factor of two-thirds