eNatech - Natech Accident

Natech Accident

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Type

Natech Near Miss

Date

2009/04/06

Time

03:32

Natural Hazard

L'Aquila earthquake, Italy, 2009

Site ID

Site 48, Italy

Status

Published

Units Involved

Name
Silos
Type
Storage: Atmospheric storage tank
Description
Three steel silos were involved.
Name
Warehouse
Type
Storage: Warehouse
Name
Pipelines and electricity cables
Type
Auxiliary: Other

Event Sequences

Name

Collapse/Damage of Silos

Unit

1. Silos

Substances Involved

Name
Polypropylene
CAS No
9003-07-0
Involved Quantity
500 ton
Description
This accident cannot be considered as a proper Natech event: no emergency situation emerged due to the release of polypropylene, since this material cannot be considered dangerous nor does it constitute a serious threat for the environment. Nonetheless, it is worth to include this event in the database, because it helps to understand the modalities by which technological accidents are likely to be triggered. Furthermore, it includes valuable information regarding the failure mechanisms of industrial equipment under earthquake loading.

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
Component (Structural): Complete collapse During the earthquake, three steel silos which were full either collapsed or suffered extensive damage. One silo showed a crumpling effect at its base.	Release: Solid release to ground Release of polypropylene beads.	-

Name

Damage of Concrete Wall of Warehouse

Unit

2. Warehouse

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
Event Sequence: Collapse/Damage of Silos The silos collided with the adjacent precast warehouse, partially crushing the concrete wall and leaving an impact imprint.	-	-

Name
Damage of pipelines and electricity cables
Unit
3. Pipelines and electricity cables
Initiating Event Critical Event Major Event
Event Sequence: Collapse/Damage of Silos
The damage and collapse of the silos caused serious damage to piping and electricity cables.
- -

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
Event Sequence: Collapse/Damage of Silos The damage and collapse of the silos caused serious damage to piping and electricity cables.	-	-

Weather Conditions

Precipitation

None

Emergency Response

Response Planning

Emergency response plan is sufficient in taking Natech events into consideration: Yes

Difficulties in Response to the Natural Hazard

Insufficient personnel and equipment to respond to both emergencies: No

Natech event prevents access of personnel to natural hazard affected area: No

Natech event prevents efficient operation of personnel in the natural hazard affected area: No

Response to the Natural Hazard

The early response to the disaster by the national government and voluntary organisations was a success.

Difficulties in Response to the Natech Event

Insufficient personnel and equipment to respond to both emergencies: No

Damage to lifelines (e.g. water, power, communication, transportation): No

Response Teams and Equipment Involved

On-site fire fighting trucks
Regional / national fire fighting teams

Response to the Natech Event

Firefighters extracted the polypropylene beads and then removed the damaged silos.

Consequences

Economic Impacts

The company suffered extended business interruption.

Remedial Activities

Decontamination Activities

Firefighters extracted the polypropylene beads from the damaged silos.

Remediation Activities

The damaged silos were removed.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned on Equipment

The event highlighted the problem of seismic pounding which can cause a lot of damage. Also, the buckling of thin-shelled structures is a problem during earthquakes.

ID: 50, Created: Vincenzo ARCIDIACONO, 2014-09-08 12:07:34 – Last Updated: Elisabeth KRAUSMANN, 2017-07-14 12:28:47

Attachments

No	Description	File Size
1.Click here to select record	GRIMAZ - Can earthquakes trigger serious industrial accidents in Italy? Some considerations following the experiences of 2009 L’Aquila (Italy) and 2012 Emilia (Italy) earthquakes	4.52MB
2.Click here to select record	Presentation at 30 Convegno nationale Trieste 14-17 November 2011, Grimaz and Maiolo	2.10MB
3.Click here to select record	The impact of the 6th April 2009 L’Aquila earthquake (Italy) on the industrial facilities and life lines. Considerations in terms of NaTech risk - 4th International Conference on Safety & Environment in Process Industry	1.42MB