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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
Site 48, Italy
Status
Published

Units Involved

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

Event Sequences

  1. Name
    Collapse/Damage of Silos
    Unit
    1. Silos
    Substances Involved
    1. 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 EventCritical EventMajor 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.
    		-
  2. Name
    Damage of Concrete Wall of Warehouse
    Unit
    2. Warehouse
    Initiating EventCritical EventMajor 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.
    		--
  3. Name
    Damage of pipelines and electricity cables
    Unit
    3. Pipelines and electricity cables
    Initiating EventCritical EventMajor 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

NoDescriptionFile Size
1.GRIMAZ - CAN EARTHQUAKES TRIGGER SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IN ITALY? 2.10MB
2.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
3.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
Last update: 2024/04/17 | Top