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By:

Kanupriya Sharma

Management Trainee

IMC Limited

OISD 161:1993

RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONINVOLVING

TANK TRUCK ACCIDENT CARRYING

LPG

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Due to phenomenal growth in consumption and consequent transportation

of LPG by road tankers to LPG Bottling Plants spread all over India the

number of road accidents involving LPG tankers has risen sharply.

Presently the oil industry is having unwritten understanding of extending

mutual help to each other as and when accidents take place. IIt has beenexperienced that at the field level at times the roles and responsibilities

are not clearly defined. The local authorities are also not having a clear

understanding on the actions to be taken for the public safety at times.

This procedure prepared by the industry members under the guidance ofOISD, has formalised a guide for handling LPG tank truck road accidents,

so as to mobilise the necessary help within minimum response time.

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Copies of this LPG Road Tanker Disaster Management plan shall be

made available by the Industry to:

1. Each tank truck (TT) with translation in the vernacular language.2. To all LPG tank truck owners.

3. To all the field locations i.e. LPG Bottling Plants, Depots, POL

Terminals/Installations, Despatch units of ONGC/GAIL etc.

4. Through State Govt. to all the District Administration, Police Stationsand Fire Brigades enroute and within vicinity of specified LPG tank truck

routes.

5. And to others, viz., Sales personnel of concerned area as may be

required.

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2.0 SCOPE

This document provides an outline of guidelines for handling

emergencies arising out of LPG road accidents. The individual

location incharges, based on these guidelines should identify

necessary resource within their limits so as to handle such

accidents promptly. These guidelines can be modified to reflectlocal conditions as well as the capabilities of the response team.

Interaction with local authorities, law enforcing agencies, fire

brigade and other oil companies is must to familiarise all

concerned and to ensure their co-operation and willingnesswhich would be most needed to handle such emergencies.

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3.0 DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN-BULK LPG

TANK TRUCK (TT) ROAD ACCIDENT AS AND

WHEN ANY ACCIDENT TAKE PLACE. 3.1 INFORMATION

3.1.1 In case the TT crew is in position to act, driver/cleaner shall inform nearestBottling Plant and in the event unable to contact Bottling Plant on phone, (as perphone nos. list attached) to contact nearest Depot/Terminal of any oil co. Thedriver/cleaner shall also inform nearest police post and Fire Brigade.

3.1.2 In case, no phone facility is available in the near vicinity, driver/cleaner shall sendthe message through any other means such as any other truck, TT or through any othervolunteer to the nearest Bottling Plant, Police Post and Fire Brigade, Petrol pump, OilInstallation of any Oil Co. (All petrol pumps, Oil Installations, Fire Brigade & PoliceStation shall be provided with telephone nos. of the nearest LPG Bottling Plant and thesame shall be displayed).

3.1.3 In case the message is received first by Police Post or Fire Brigade orDepot/Installation of any Co., they shall inform the nearest Bottling Plant of anycompany.

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3.1.4 While conveying the information to LPG Bottling Plant by

Driver/Cleaner, Fire Brigade, Police Post, Depot./Installation as may

be the case, the following information shall be collected and relayed:

a) Location of accident milestone no., Highway No., nearest village, and

any other easily identifiable landmark.

b) Registration No.of TT, name of the Transporter.

c) TT empty or full and the quantity.

d) Proceeding from/onway to.

e) Date and time of accident.

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f) Any casualty or injury.

g) Any leakage or fire.h) Position of TT after the accident on road.

I) Safety Precautions taken.

j) Help required (crane, transfer of product, mechanical, towing of

vehicle, fire tender, fire fighting equipment etc.)

However, to minimize the delay whatever information is readily available

shall be quickly relayed even though the above information would be

desirable.

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3.2 ACTION PLAN

3.2.1 Initiation of immediate action:

I) On receipt of information by the LPG Bottling Plant, Bottling Plantshall convey information using quickest mode of communication such

as phone, telex, FAX etc. to following agencies/persons:

a) to Police Station or Police headquarter.

b) to District Administration.

c) to Fire Station.

d) Chief Controller of Explosives / Zonal Controller of Explosives

e) to the Transporter (as per the directory of the Transportersaddress)f) to Zonal/Region and Head Office of the owning Company of the product.

g) Oil Industry Safety Directorate

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ii) Simultaneously, the LPG Bottling Plant shall organise rescue

operation and make Contingency Plan as per situation demand. The

LPG Bottling Plant shall also detail 2/3 Tts and depressurise to the

maximum extent.

After assessing the situation, a rescue team considering of 1-2

Officers, 2-3 Operators and maintenance crew by quickest means shall

be rushed to the site along with 2-3 empty depressurised Tank Trucks.

The rescue team shall carry equipments as identified and as perreferred identification and mobilisation plan including communication

facilities like telephone etc. Wherever oil industry has positioned

Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV), the same shall be requisitioned

for carrying out rescue operations.

Oil Industry Sales personnel of the concerned area will also get

associated with rescue team to provide assistance through local

agencies on receipt of information.

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3.3 SCENARIO AND DISASTER HANDLING

3.3.1 SCENARIOS

I) On reaching the site, the rescue team will assess the situation and

lias with the Plant Manager on any further help required from any

agency. The Rescue team shall classify the accident in the following

category:

a) Resulting only in injury/casualty to any other road user.

b) Resulting in head-on collision, side hit and dashing against any other

fixed object and no damage to bullet or any fittings.

c) Accident resulting in tank truck falling off the road with damage tobullet, fittings with or without leakage and requiring evacuation of product.

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d) Toppling of tank truck, rupture of liquid line and LPG leak with or

without tank truck engulfed in fire.

e) Total loss due to vapour cloud explosion, injuries, fatalities anddamages to the surrounding areas.

While the Rescue team shall carry out only survey in situation (a) and

(b) and assess damage to bullet, in case of situations (c), (d) and (e),

Rescue team will guide the complete operation till the tank truck isevacuated, depressurised and degassed either at site or at LPG

Bottling Plant.

ii) The Rescue team shall take utmost care in tackling the situation and

will not take undue risk and shall guide professional fire fighting people

of the Fire Brigade/Industry.

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3.3.2 Disaster Handling. (A) ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY/CASUALTY

TO ANY OTHER ROAD USER.

In the event, the above information is available, LPG Bottling Plant need not

depute the Rescue team to the site of accident. However, the concerned

authorities (Highway Patrol Police) should complete their required formalities

and inform the nearest LPG Bottling Plant. LPG Bottling Plant in-turn will

arrange to inspect the TT and advise whether the TT can proceed to its

destination safely. LPG Bottling Plant will also decide whether any repair could

be undertaken by the Transporter without emptying out the tank truck or

whether tank truck needs to be evacuated/degassed which should be done at

the LPG Bottling Plant. Any casualty to be left as it is till such time police

arrive.

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3.3.2 (B) ACCIDENT RESULTING IN HEAD-ON COLLISION, SIDE HIT,

DASHING AGAINST ANY OTHER FIXED OBJECT AND NO DAMAGE TO

BULLET OR ANY FITTING.

On getting the information, Rescue team will proceed to the accident site. Onreaching the site, the Rescue team shall take the following action:

a) Survey the vehicle and list out the damages.

b) Assess the situation whether tank truck can be towed to the nearest LPG

Bottling Plant after mechanical repairs.

c) List out all precautions and advise the driver/Police for the steps to be taken

while towing the vehicle to the LPG Bottling Plant if it can be timed.

d) Tank truck should be unloaded at the LPG Bottling Plant immediately after

reaching and shall be released only after it has been made gas free. In case the mechanical condition of tank truck is not stable, it should be

evacuated in line with the procedure stipulated in subsequent scenario.

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3.3.2 (C) ACCIDENT RESULTING IN TANK TRUCK FALLING OFF

THE ROAD WITH DAMAGE TO BULLET, FITTING WITH OR WITHOUT

LEAKAGE AND REQUIRING EVACUATION OF THE PRODUCT

WITH NO LEAKAGE

The following steps should be taken:

a) Survey the vehicle, bullet, all fittings & assess the extent of damage.b) Assess whether the anchoring of bullet to the chassis is damaged or

intact and whether the bullet can be lifted with or without chassis.

c) In case of filled tank truck, assess whether liquid and vapour nozzles

are accessible for making hose connection.

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d) Assess whether cranes (one or two) capable of lifting the tank truck with load

are available for putting the tank truck on wheels or tank truck can be dragged by

monkey wrench to the road. If cranes of required capacity are not available, no

attempt should be made for lifting the filled tank truck and tank truck should be

emptied before putting it back on wheels.

e) If tank cannot be towed safely after putting in upright position to a LPG Bottling

Plant, the product should be transshipped to another tank truck in the followingmanner:

i ) Connect depressurised tanklorry brought from the LPG Bottling Plant.

ii) Make temporary earthing connection with some electric pole or with iron rod

driven in the earth upto sufficient depth.iii) Slowly open the valves of accident affected tank truck and the depressurised

tank truck ensuring that Excess Flow Check Valves does not close.

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iv) If the flow rate is not sufficient which is to be observed by checking

rotogauge, connect depressurised tank truck to the vapour nozzle of the

accident affected tank truck.

v) After the flow rate slows down or stops, connect another depressurised

tank tank truck till such time the product to the maximum extent is

transferred.

vi) Check the level of liquid in the accident affected tank truck by

rotogauge, vapour valve or differential skin temperature.

vii) If it is necessary and site condition makes it feasible, depressurise the

tank of remaining vapour through controlled discharge from vapour

discharge valve after taking all precautions. In such a case when venting

is inevitable, take following action before commencing the ventingoperation:

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- Cordon off the area upto the radius of 300 m.

- Divert vehicular traffic from the highway.

- Inform Railway authorities if the accident site is in the vicinity ofrailway tracks, to suspend all rail movement.

- Get the power supply to the area cut off.

- Extinguish/take care of all sources of ignition especially in the

downwind direction (viz. smoking, cooking, industrial furnaces, openfire etc.)

- Closely monitor the level of concentration of LPG vapours with the

help of Explosivemeter outside the cordoned off area to eliminate any

danger to public life & property.

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WITH LEAKAGE

a) Warn people to stop all open fire, lantern, no smoking within the vicinityof minimum 300 m.

b) Stop traffic on both sides of the road upto the above distances. Divert

traffic from all the roads approaching the site.

c) Check possibility of stopping leak by wetting the area of leakage withgunny bags and water, plugging of safety relief valve using leak seal

pad, tightening of liquid and vapour valve, sample valve and by using

M-seal. The transshipment of product to empty vehicle be resorted to

as outlined in 3.3.2 (C) (e). In case leakage is profuse and cannot be

stopped, take following action:

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I) All precautionary measures as outlined in 3.3.2 (C) (vii).

ii) No person should stay within the vapour cloud and within the vicinity in

the wind direction.

iii) On arrival of the Fire Brigade, the vapour cloud should be dispersed

toward unin-habitated area using wide angle spray till the entire product

has been vented out.

iv) Concentration of vapour shall be checked using Explosivemeter. Onlyafter all the vapours have cleared out from the leakage source, the

movement of traffic shall be allowed.

d) The other actions should be taken in consultation with professional

advise of experts in different fields.

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3.3.2 (D) TOPPLING OF TANK TRUCK, RUPTURE OF LIQUID LINE AND

LPG TRUCK ENGULFED IN FIRE.

If the Rescue team/Fire Brigade/Police reaches the site of accident afterstart of fire, the following action should be taken:

a) To cool the tank trucks, specially the area in contact with vapour and area

around dish-end by the Fire tender. No body to be allowed to move by the

side of either of the dish-ends of the tank trucks.

b) All people from the area within a radius of 1 km to be evacuated to safer

places.

c) To advise LPG Bottling Plant/District Administration to rush water tanker to

the site of accident.

d) To use narrow angle spray for cooling the bullet and extinguishing fire if the

source of leakage is small, otherwise, burning may be continued under

controlled condition as above.

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e) If the fire from overturned LPG tank lorry envelopes the pressure vessel

and if it is not possible to arrange water for sustained cooling, the entire

area upto a radius of 1 km must be evacuated, much before water gets

exhausted. Fire fighters should also be prepared to escape and abandonthe vessel in such an event.

f) A control room will be set-up nearest to accident site with the help of

local administration for close liaison with all agencies.

g) Local Hospitals/Ambulances should be alerted to be ready to providemedical aid to affected people, as the scenario may lead to an Unconfined

Vapour Cloud Explosion (UVCE)/BLEVE resulting in loss of public life and

property necessitating major rescue operation.

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3.3.2 (E) LOSSES DUE TO UNCONFINED VAPOUR CLOUD

EXPLOSION/BLEVE RESULTING IN INJURIES, FATALITIES AND

DAMAGES TO THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

(Consider 18 tons LPG tank truck involved in the accident and entire

product has come out) There could be possibility of a situation when the

accident affected tank lorry might have released a large amount of LPG

through the damaged fittings and/or liquid/vapour manifolds. Since there

is a large inventory of LPG in the bullet, LPG would continue to leakthrough these openings. In the case of delayed ignition, the released

LPG would form vapour cloud and disperse along the wind direction.

The vapour cloud will increase in its size and dilution of the cloud will be

occurring around the outer surface of the plume. Therefore, the vapour

cloud may either explode when it comes in contact with the source of

ignition or disperse safely.

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In case, vapour cloud explodes there would be blast wave/shock wave

propagate resulting in damage as a function of distance. Followed by

explosion, there will be fire which would travel back to the affected tanklorry.

Depending upon the nature of damage and type of release, the bullet

may be subjected to flame impingement which may subsequently lead

to BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion)

The computer models have been used to analyse the dispersion

characteristics of the released LPG for different wind velocities and the

damage due to blast/shock wave arising out of an explosion has been

computed accordingly.

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It has been found that LPG vapour cloud could travel long distances

depending upon the wind velocity (2-5 m/s) and extent of leakage and

still remain within the flammable limits. In case of failure of 2 liquidloading line, the LPG vapour cloud could travel as much as 360m. upto

which vapour will still exist within LEL.

In contact with a source of ignition, the unconfined vapour cloud may

explode resulting in fatalities and injuries which could be expected upto

a distance of about 320m. from the point of release.

In case of a BLEVE, involving the bullet, the damages due to incident

radiant fluxes resulting in fatalities and first degree burn could be

expected upto a distance of about 190m. and 290m. respectively.

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3.4 RESCUE OPERATIONS

The action needed in such situation are as follows:

1.Remove the injured people to the nearest Hospital/Nursing Homes with the help

of local administration.2. Arrange to provide first-aid treatment as necessary with the help of localhospitals and voluntary agencies.

3. Provide food and shelter to the dislodged/affected people with the help of localauthorities and voluntary agencies.

4. To fight remaining fires, if any. and remove debris from the road to restorenormal vehicular traffic with the help of Fire Brigade/Police personnel. Police torestore normalcy (law and order) in the area.

5. Provide electricity through grid/portable diesel generators with the help of localelectricity board/authorities.

For tackling emergencies arising out of various scenarios as detailed above,individual LPG Bottling Plant shall formulate specific Disaster Control Planincorporating all the available resources with necessary contact numbers as givenin Annexures.

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3.5 ROLE OF EXTERNAL AGENCIES

It is expected that the following roles will be performed by various agencies:

3.5.1 FIRE BRIGADE

On receipt of information from any source on accident of LPG tank truck, Fire

Brigade will contact nearest LPG Bottling Plant and Police Station. After

assessing the situation shall:

- Rush fire tender to the accident site with all necessary fire fighting equipment.

- Rush ambulance to the accident site if causalities are reported.

- Prepare a Contingency Plan for removal of tank truck, if not leaking.- Dispersal of vapours by water spray away from inhabited area, in case of

leakage

.

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Extinguish the fire, in case leakage source can be stopped.

- Allow the fire to burn under control condition till the entire quantity is

burnout, in case the leakage source cannot be stopped.

- Salvaging men and material from accident affected truck.

- Liaison with Fire Brigade in the adjoining town for additional help, if

necessary

- Arranging water through Municipal Water tanker or any other source.

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3.5.2 ROLE OF POLICE

On receipt of information, Police will organise:

- Stoppage of traffic from both ends of the road.- Warning to people living in adjacent area for stopping all fire, smoking,

evacuation to safe places, if necessary.

- Maintenance of Law and Order in the area.

Contacting nearest District Police Headquarter and giving the situationreport.

Assist Rescue Dept. and local Agencies evacuating people from the area

if so required.

Extending help in removal of injured personnel to the nearest first-aidcentre/ hospital, contacting highway patrol, completing legal

formalities in case of any causality

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3.5.3 DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

- To keep watch on the overall situation.

- Direct/Requisition cranes or any other such equipment on behalf of OilCompany, than may be needed for carrying out rescue operations.

- To issue warning messages to people through public address system if

any evacuation is required.

- To arrange emergency vehicles for evacuation purposes.

- To give direction to hospitals having burns injury ward for readiness to

receive patient in case of accident involving fire.

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3.6.0 RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION/ MOBILISATION

Mobilisation of resources will depend upon the scenario of disaster and all

the locations are

required to identify the resources based on ultimate disaster.

It is recommended that the locations will identify the resources for ultimate

disaster which can take place within 200 kms of the radius of a LPG bottling

plant. The Chief Co-ordinator of the disaster would familiarise with all roads,

routes, industries, First-aid agencies and all the available infrastructure in case

of an eventuality.

The following resources should be identified for the disaster management:

In-plant resources

External resources

Communication resources

.

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IN-PLANT RESOURCES

1.Gas Explosivemeter.

2. Flameproof torches

3. Portable DCP Fire Extinguishers

4. CAF gaskets.

5. Stud bolts.6. Teflon tapes.

7. 1/2 crowbar (2 ft. long)

8. Earthing wire (10 m long) with crocodile clips

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9. Gloves: Rubber gloves

Industrial gloves (with leather lining)

Canvas gloves

10. Spade/blind flange

11. 1 roll of gunny/hessian cloth (about 10 mts long)

12. Manila rope13. Jute rope (sutli)

14. Spark arrestors.

15. 1 tapered wooden plugs.

16.Chopper

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17. Spare fan belt for tank lorry with P.T.O. unit.

18. Wind sock.

19. First aid box (containing water jel compounds)20. Soap

21. M-Seal

22. Blanket.

23. Water Jel Blanket

24. Wooden slippers

25. Breathing Apparatus (SCBA and Canister gas masks)

26. Fire proximity suit

27. LPG Hoses

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28. Triple Purpose nozzle

29. Teflon-taped spanners, wrenches

30. Communication equipments - Megaphones.

31. Face shields

32. Ear muff/ear plugs

33. Barricading masts and ropes

34. Hand operated sirens

35. Whistles

36. Red lights (Battery operated) - for traffic diversion.

37. Area maps

38. Chain pulley blocks and stay pipes

39. Small valve keys for operating valves in the tank truck.

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B) EXTERNAL RESOURCES

* Hospitals (*With clear identification to handle burn injuries).

Name Addresses Telephone Bed capacity

* Drug Stores (with medicines for burn injuries)

Name Addresses Telephone Nos.* Availability of the Cranes

Name Addresses Number of Cranes and capacities

* District Administration Collector

Name Address Telephone No.

* Fire Station

Location Number of fire tender availability with capacity

Any big industries which can render assistance during disaster for fire fighting, providing ambulances, vehicles,hospital assistance etc.

* Public Address system

Ambulance

* Local All India Radio / Doordarshan

Local PWD/CPWD for obtaining supplies of water, sand morum vehicles etc.

* Local Army, Navy, Air Force authorities - for tools, tackles, cranes, communication, medication, evacuationetc.

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C) IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNICATION RESOURCES

1. Police Station

Location

2. Petrol Pumps

Name & Address Operated by Telephone No

3. Railway Station

4. Power Houses

Location Key person to be contacted in case of disaster.

5. Civil authorities

Area Person/designation Contact Number

6. Voluntary Agencies

Name & Address Contact Nos.

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Thank You