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GUIDELINES FOR FIRE CORPS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF HYDROGEN RELEASES

Ministry of the Interior. University of Pisa. Italian National Fire Corps. Department of Mechanical, Nuclear and Production Engineering. GUIDELINES FOR FIRE CORPS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF HYDROGEN RELEASES. Eng. Nicola Grasso.

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GUIDELINES FOR FIRE CORPS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF HYDROGEN RELEASES

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  1. Ministry of the Interior University of Pisa Italian National Fire Corps Department of Mechanical, Nuclear and Production Engineering GUIDELINES FOR FIRE CORPS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF HYDROGEN RELEASES Eng. Nicola Grasso International Conference on Hydrogen Safety - San Sebastian, 13th of September 2007

  2. Summary • The Italian Working Group on the hydrogen fire prevention safety issues • to draw up the Italian fire prevention regulations on the hydrogen applications • Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.s) - General issues • definition, aims, advantages, characterization • Standard Operating Procedures in the event of hydrogen releases • scenarios, aims, procedures, support equipment San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  3. WG on the H2 fire prevention safety issues • Formation: 2002, by the Ministry of the Interior • the Working Group is constituted by membersfrom both the Italian National Fire Corps (Technical Officials)and the academic world (University of Pisa) • Mission: to collect, assess, assemble all the technical and scientific contributions available in order to produce normative documents, guidelines, etc. expressly aimed at assuring the hydrogen fire prevention safety • Produced documents up to now: • D.M. 31st of August 2006, Fire prevention technical rule for gaseous hydrogen refuelling stations (O.J. of the Italian Republic n. 213 - 13th of September 2006) • A draft of guideline on the hydrogen vehicles components, with particular attention to the storage system (under the Ministry’s approval) • A draft of fire prevention technical rule for compressed hydrogen pipelines (officially presented to the Italian stakeholders) San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  4. Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures • The person who receives help usually feels in trouble in comparison with the normal circumstances because he is experiencing an emergency situation which he is not used to deal with. He expects to receive the best help possible, by the best squad of an Organization and by means of the best equipment. • The Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.s) proved to be the most effective tool in order to achieve qualitative leaps which can be acknowledged even by those who ask for help. • The Standard Operating Procedures are a group of organizing instructions intended to codify the course of the rescue operations (e.g. following a road accident with people in the vehicles or the presence of dangerous or radioactive goods) and therefore optimize the performances of the rescue squads. • The Standard Operating Procedures essentially put together the theoretical knowledge of the accidents and their scenarios with the means available to face them properly and to mitigate their consequences. • The Standard Operating Procedures avoid the waste of both theoretical and practical experience and competence achieved in the management of the rescue operations. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  5. 1 Set the Standard Procedure 2 5 Training Correction 4 3 Revision and judgement Application Characterization of the procedures 4. Revision and judgement The evaluation of the procedure effectiveness shall result in a collection of comments and remarks; they will be useful to the critical revision. The critical revision shall highlight which procedure issues have to be corrected, improved and integrated. 2. Training From the beginning, the training shall comply with the modalities fixed by the procedure, although it is still approximate. This will allow the squads to be ready for the procedure application and testing since the first intervention. 3. Application The application of the procedure during the rescue operations is the moment when it is really tested. In this case its effectiveness will be evaluated immediately. 1. Set the Standard Operating Procedure In order to start the process, a first model of the procedure has to be written, even roughly; this model reports what has been done up to now with regard to the specific intervention under consideration; or what would be done if the rescue squad should asked for help “just at that moment”. 5. Correction After the critical revision the procedure is corrected and issued (or reissued) officially. The cycle is now closed; the process is started and will be stopped no more. The scheme of work is cyclic; this means the process is always under a continuous revision and therefore allows the continuous refining and improvement of the performances and the qualities of the operations. The best result is achieved when each Fire Corps Provincial Headquarters involved in the rescue operations organizes a system under continuous development and is able to personalize, refine and keep the procedures updated by means of periodic and systematic revisions. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  6. General model of a S.O.P. • The possible contents of a S.O.P are the following: • Introduction - When an intervention is classified within this category • Instructions of reference • Management of the operating room • Means of transport and equipment suitable to the intervention • General procedure for the intervention • Techniques for the intervention • Safety (general safety, safety of the Fire Corps operators) • At the end of the intervention • Communications, administrative and police accomplishments • Maintenance of the means of transport and equipment • Safety and health of the operating personnel • Critical revision of the intervention and notes for the training • The specificities of the hydrogen releases are fulfilled in the characterization of the General procedure for the intervention. The other sections do not undergone considerable changes in comparison with those widely used by the National Fire Corps when different flammable gases are involved. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  7. S.O.P. in the event of hydrogen releases (1) • Hydrogen has unique physical and chemical properties: • Hydrogen is colorless, odorless, tasteless and therefore not detectable by the human senses. • Hydrogen is flammable and burns in air with a very hot and almost invisible flame, which emits a very little radiant heat and therefore gives a limited warning of its presence. • The hydrogen features and its use without odorization • make it different from any common used fuel • pose specific problems in the fire fighting and in the emergency management • require a review of the already codified approaches to the rescue operations where conventional gases are involved • The arrangement of a Standard Operating Procedure requires the definition of the scenarios of reference which a rescue squad will have to face. Different operating procedures are fixed depending on the scenarios relevant to the hydrogen releases. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  8. S.O.P. in the event of hydrogen releases (2) • The possible scenarios are summarized in the following three typologies of event: • release without ignition • release with immediate ignition and resulting jet fire • release with delayed ignition and resulting flash fire, UVCE (Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion) or CVCE (Confined Vapour Cloud Explosion) • With reference to each scenario, the procedures specify: • the intervention flowchart • the number of the firemen involved • their work and personal protective equipment • their duties during the operations • The considered scenarios are basic scenarios which require the intervention of a single squad. Whatever similar scenario occurs in the neighbourhood while this squad is operating, it will require the intervention of a different squad. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  9. Start A A To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Advancing towards the leakage zone LEAKAGE REMOVAL Squad Leader He coordinates the operations for the approach and positioning of the means of transport and equipment in order to make the moving away as quick as possible. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture He provides himself with an explosive gas detector and a portable explosion-proof radio. End Scenario n.1: release without ignition • Main aim: the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Driver Fire Truck Fireman N. 2 Squad Leader Fireman N. 1 Leakage point Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  10. Start A A To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Advancing towards the leakage zone LEAKAGE REMOVAL Squad Leader He performs the approach operation to execute the leak closing or plugging, if it is possible. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture By means of the explosive gas detector he moves in the direction of the maximum concentration in order to locate the position of the gas leakage. End Scenario n.1: release without ignition • Main aim: the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Driver Fire Truck Fireman N. 2 Squad Leader Fireman N. 1 Leakage point Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  11. Start A A To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Advancing towards the leakage zone LEAKAGE REMOVAL Fireman N.1 He follows the Squad Leader in the approach operation. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture He provides himself with a thermocamera and a portable explosion-proof radio. End Scenario n.1: release without ignition • Main aim: the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Driver Fire Truck Fireman N. 2 Squad Leader Fireman N. 1 Leakage point Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  12. Start A A To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Advancing towards the leakage zone LEAKAGE REMOVAL Fireman N.2 He provides himself with an explosive gas detector and a portable explosion-proof radio. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture He performs a continuous monitoring to fix the boundaries of the zone within the flammability limits. End Scenario n.1: release without ignition • Main aim: the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Driver Fire Truck Fireman N. 2 Squad Leader Fireman N. 1 Leakage point Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  13. Start A A To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Advancing towards the leakage zone LEAKAGE REMOVAL Fireman N.3 He puts himself at the Squad Leader's disposal. Fireman N.4 He puts himself at the Squad Leader's disposal. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture Driver He puts himself at the Squad Leader's disposal. End Scenario n.1: release without ignition • Main aim: the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Driver Fire Truck Fireman N. 2 Squad Leader Fireman N. 1 Leakage point Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  14. Start A A To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Advancing towards the leakage zone LEAKAGE REMOVAL Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture End Scenario n.1: release without ignition • Main aim: the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Driver Fire Truck Fireman N. 2 Squad Leader Fireman N. 1 Leakage point Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 Unlike the interventions with conventional gases: • the first explosive gas detector is required to fix the physical boundaries of the zone within the flammability limits • the second explosive gas detector allows the squad leader and the support operator to locate the leakage point • the thermocamera allows the support operator to locate the leakage point by exploiting the heating effect in the H2 release San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  15. Start To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Spreading of the fire hoses belonging to the hydraulic circuit Positioning of the men assigned to protect the Squad Leader Advancing towards the zone of the fire source by the one assigned to the leakage removal Squad Leader He coordinates the operations for the approach. FIRE REMOVAL following LEAKAGE REMOVAL He puts on the suit for the approach and approaches the fire to intercept it while he hides himself behind a shield of water. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture He provides himself with a thermocamera and a portable explosion-proof radio. End Scenario n.2: ignition and resulting jet fire • Main aim: the fire removal by the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Fireman N. 2 UNI 45 Fire Truck Driver Squad Leader UNI 70 Point of the fire source Fireman N. 1 Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 UNI 45 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  16. Start To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Spreading of the fire hoses belonging to the hydraulic circuit Positioning of the men assigned to protect the Squad Leader Advancing towards the zone of the fire source by the one assigned to the leakage removal Fireman N.2 and Fireman N.3 He spreads the hydraulic circuit. FIRE REMOVAL following LEAKAGE REMOVAL He puts on the suit for the approach. He protects the Squad Leader by means of a fire hose with a jet of pulverized water. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture He keeps at a distance from the Squad Leaderin proportion to the jet and the radiation he is subjected. End Scenario n.2: ignition and resulting jet fire • Main aim: the fire removal by the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Fireman N. 2 UNI 45 Fire Truck Driver Squad Leader UNI 70 Point of the fire source Fireman N. 1 Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 UNI 45 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  17. Start To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Spreading of the fire hoses belonging to the hydraulic circuit Positioning of the men assigned to protect the Squad Leader Advancing towards the zone of the fire source by the one assigned to the leakage removal Fireman N.1 He spreads the hydraulic circuit for the cooling operations. FIRE REMOVAL following LEAKAGE REMOVAL He provides himself with an explosive gas detector and a portable explosion-proof radio. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture End Scenario n.2: ignition and resulting jet fire • Main aim: the fire removal by the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Fireman N. 2 UNI 45 Fire Truck Driver Squad Leader UNI 70 Point of the fire source Fireman N. 1 Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 UNI 45 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  18. Start To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Spreading of the fire hoses belonging to the hydraulic circuit Positioning of the men assigned to protect the Squad Leader Advancing towards the zone of the fire source by the one assigned to the leakage removal Fireman N.4 He spreads the hydraulic circuit for the cooling operations. FIRE REMOVAL following LEAKAGE REMOVAL He provides himself with a portable explosion-proof radio. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture Driver He puts himself at the Squad Leader's disposal. He operates the pump. End Scenario n.2: ignition and resulting jet fire • Main aim: the fire removal by the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Fireman N. 2 UNI 45 Fire Truck Driver Squad Leader UNI 70 Point of the fire source Fireman N. 1 Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 UNI 45 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  19. Start To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Spreading of the fire hoses belonging to the hydraulic circuit Positioning of the men assigned to protect the Squad Leader Advancing towards the zone of the fire source by the one assigned to the leakage removal WATER TANK TRUCK FIRE REMOVAL following LEAKAGE REMOVAL Fireman N.1 He carries out the hydraulic connections with the Fire Truck for the water transfer. Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture Driver He puts himself at the Fire Truck Driver's disposal. He attends to the continuous water supply. End Scenario n.2: ignition and resulting jet fire • Main aim: the fire removal by the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Fireman N. 2 UNI 45 Fire Truck Driver Squad Leader UNI 70 Point of the fire source Fireman N. 1 Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 UNI 45 San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  20. Start To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Spreading of the fire hoses belonging to the hydraulic circuit Positioning of the men assigned to protect the Squad Leader Advancing towards the zone of the fire source by the one assigned to the leakage removal FIRE REMOVAL following LEAKAGE REMOVAL Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture End Scenario n.2: ignition and resulting jet fire • Main aim: the fire removal by the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Fireman N. 2 UNI 45 Fire Truck Driver Squad Leader UNI 70 Point of the fire source Fireman N. 1 Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 UNI 45 Unlike the interventions with conventional gases: • the thermocamera allows the squad leader to locate the fire (additional equipment besides the usual explosive gas detector) • the use of dry-chemical fire extinguishers is a solution alternative to the thermocamera; the extinguishing substance is sprayed and allows the fire visibility and then its location. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  21. Start To put on PPE Choice of the more suitable advancing direction Spreading of the fire hoses belonging to the hydraulic circuit Positioning of the men assigned to protect the Squad Leader Advancing towards the zone of the fire source by the one assigned to the leakage removal FIRE REMOVAL following LEAKAGE REMOVAL Moving back towards the zone with lack of flammable mixture End Scenario n.2: ignition and resulting jet fire • Main aim: the fire removal by the leakage removal MEN WORK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Squad Leader Driver Fireman N.1 Fireman N.2 Fireman N.3 Fireman N.4 ARRANGEMENT OF MEN, MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND HYDRAULIC CIRCUIT Fireman N. 2 UNI 45 Fire Truck Driver Squad Leader UNI 70 Point of the fire source Fireman N. 1 Fireman N. 4 Fireman N. 3 UNI 45 Unlike the interventions with conventional gases: • the thermocamera allows the squad leader to locate the fire (additional equipment besides the usual explosive gas detector) • the use of dry-chemical fire extinguishers is a solution alternative to the thermocamera; the extinguishing substance is sprayed and allows the fire visibility and then its location. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  22. Scenario n.3: release with delayed ignition • Main aim: 1) the help and rescue of the people involved • this scenario is a conventional scenario; there are well-established operating procedures for the intervention 2) the location of the release point, if it is still present • this scenario is led again to the previous scenarios • In the scenario n.3 the approach to the event mitigation is led back to already codified intervention typologies (e.g. natural gas explosions) • In the scenarios n.1 and n.2 it is necessary to carry out strategies intended to overcome the difficulties resulting from the absence of the lighting flame and gas smell. This implied recommending actions which can make the flame visible with the naked eye and which can allow the leakage location. These actions are the connection tool between these two scenarios and the operating procedures for the already codified scenarios. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  23. Support equipment (1) • Detection and monitoring systems (explosive gas detector) • intended to confine the release area by determining the boundaries of a “red zone”; within this “red zone” there is a high risk of ignition because of the gas concentration; it is the zone with direct hazards for the rescue squads • they allow the squad leaders to locate the leakage point in case of a release without ignition It is possible to use explosive gas detectors located at fixed points in order to evaluate the gas concentration locally; the location of the gas detectors should be fixed depending on the environmental conditions and the release area. Radio devices connect the gas detectors to a general control system located inside the Local Control Unity, where the emergency is managed. It is possible to use a monitoring system with up to ten explosive gas detectors; over ten detectors the time for the positioning, installation and connection with the main system is usually too long in comparison with the emergency time. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  24. Support equipment (2) • Visual systems (thermocameras); widely used to keep the emergency under control in the event of accidents with a release and subsequent ignition • as their main advantage, these systems allow the rescue squads to assess the accident conditions without entering into the “red zone” • they mainly allow the fire location but they can also help the location of a simple gas release • they also allow the squads to assess the state of neighbouring elements such as tanks, pipes, supports or other pressure equipment in view of possible domino effects; it is possible to assess the temperature of the systems and then to make a quick evaluation of the possible failure time due to the simultaneous thermal and pressure stresses. • they allow the squads to assess the developments of the ductile or brittle fractures and then to fix indirectly the safety distances for the squads themselves San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  25. Conclusions • The expected diffusion of the hydrogen applications over the next few years requires the capability to operate effectively in the possible scenarios. • A study on the Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.s) for the Fire Corps intervention in the event of accidents with a hydrogen release has been discussed. The characterization of these procedures leaves out of consideration the specific use of gaseous hydrogen. • The presented procedures are a first scheme intended to allow each brigade to fit the intervention modalities on its own needs and circumstances. • A S.O.P. is a lively tool under continuous development. It puts together both the theoretical and practical experience achieved on the management of the rescue operations; therefore its arrangement is a cyclic process by nature, always under continuous revision, updating and improvement. San Sebastian - 13/09/2007 Fire Corps Standard Operating Procedures with hydrogen releases

  26. Thankyou ! nicola.ciannelli@vigilfuoco.it n.grasso@ing.unipi.it

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