Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
588319 Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2013 15 Pages PDF
Abstract

It is well known that the domino effect can have a major impact on accidents in storage facilities, as it can increase the consequences of an initial event considerably. However, quantitative risk assessments (QRAs) do not usually take the domino effect into account in a detailed, systematic way, mostly because of its complexity and the difficulties involved in its incorporation. We have developed a simple method to include the domino effect in QRAs of storage facilities, by estimating the frequency with which new accidents will occur due to this phenomenon. The method has been programmed and implemented in two case studies. The results show that it can indeed be used to include the possibility of domino effect occurrence in a QRA. Furthermore, depending on the design of a facility, the domino effect can have a significant effect on the associated risk.

► A method that allows including domino effect in QRA of storage plants is proposed. ► The method is easily applied and can make the results of a QRA more robust. ► Domino effect can have a significant impact in the frequency of accidents. ► The impact of domino effect greatly depends on the design of the installation.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Chemical Health and Safety
Authors
, , ,