AVIATION FUEL STOREHOUSE FIRE MODELLING FOR EMERGENCY PLANNING PURPOSES

Abstract

As a potential source of a major accident, aviation fuel tanks represent a potential source of danger not only for the airport but also for businesses in the vicinity of the airport. Fire is one of the main hazards associated with the operation of fuel storage tanks. Depending on the type of storage tanks, there may be a fire in the tank itself or a fire in the bund. An important factor in an actual fire is the influence of wind, which affects the geometry of the flame and thus the range of heat flux and its impact on other equipment in the vicinity of the fire. Another phenomenon known to occur in industrial fire accidents is the domino effect, where the fire can spread to other equipment and cause more severe damage. From this point of view, a systematic risk analysis is needed, where the procedures known within the SEVESO series of directives can be used. The outputs of the risk analysis and impact calculations of the consequences allow better planning for an effective and safe management of the accident. This article describes the possible consequences of an aviation fuel storage accident at an airport near which manufacturing plants and other infrastructure are located.