Hazardous Material Overview

Storage and use of hazardous materials is highly regulated by building codes, fire prevention codes and NFPA standards. A comprehensive approach to hazardous materials requires thorough knowledge of applicable regulations. Our services in this area includes analysis of:

• Physical Properties
• Thermochemical Properties
• Volatility and Explosion Hazards
• Reactivity and Compatibility with Suppression Agents

Storage and manufacturing processes involving Hazardous Materials have many potential consequences. We can help analyze the consequences, including:

• Liquid Discharges
• Two-Phase Discharges
• Gaseous Discharges
• Flashing of Liquids to Vapor State
• Flammable Liquid Pool Fires
• Flame Jets
• BLEVEs (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) and Fireballs
• Confined Vapor Cloud Explosions
• Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosions
• High Explosive Detonations
• Maximum Pressure Rise and Pressure vs. Time History for Explosions (primarily for use in specification of structural requirements)
• Estimates of Potential Explosion Damage and Consultation with Structural Engineers for Verification
• Gas Dispersal Modeling

Fire Suppression and Detection Systems associated with the storage and use of Hazardous Materials include:

• Wet Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems
• Dry Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems
• Pre-action Sprinkler Systems
• Deluge Water Sprinkler and Fixed Nozzle Systems
• CO2 Local Application and Total Flooding Systems (FM200, INERGEN, etc.)
• Wet and Dry Chemical Systems
• UV, IR and UV/IR Flame Detection Systems
• Combustible Vaporr Detection Systems
• Smoke Detection Systems

Other services include the design of Deflagration Venting Panels for both high strength and low strength enclosures.