eNatech - Natech Accident

Natech Accident Final

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Type

Natech Accident

Date

2016/04/20

Time

14:45

Duration

5 hour(s)

Natural Hazard

Singapore thunderstorm, Singapore, 2016

Site

Jurong Island, Singapore

Status

Final

Units Involved

Name
Light oil storage tank
Type
Storage: Atmospheric storage tank
Description
The tank, which contained light crude oil, measured about 131 feet (40 meters) in diameter and 65 feet (20 meters) in height, and featured
an open floating roof tank with a geodesic dome.

Event Sequences

Name

Tank Fire

Unit

1. Light oil storage tank

Substances Involved

Name
Light crude oil

Initiating Event	Critical Event	Major Event
Natural Hazard: Unknown Lightning is suspected to have started a fire at the tank roof Natural Hazard: Sinking of floating roofs	-	Fire: Other The tank is set on fire. The flames went up as high as 60m Other: Other The tank buckled and folded from the intense heat

Weather Conditions

Description

Thunderstorm, accompanied by rain

Emergency Response

Response Planning

Emergency response plan takes Natech events into consideration: Yes

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

Response Planning Activities

Since 1994, the SCDF has received training from the Williams Fire & Hazard Control (WFHC) team. In more recent years, the team has been trained to use the patented WFHC. Footprint Method which is taught at the WFDC Xtreme Fire School.

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 systems (e.g. sprinkler, water cannon)
On-site fire fighting team
On-site hazmat team
Regional / national fire fighting teams

Sheltering and Evacuation due to the Natech event

On-site evacuation

Response to the Natech Event

A total of five fire engines, three red rhinos, an ambulance and 29 support vehicles comprising approximately 150 Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel are involved in the ongoing firefighting operation.

Consequences

On-site Injured

Off-site People At Risk

150

Human Health Impacts

During the course of the battle, a member of the in-house Company Emergency Response Team (CERT) was conveyed to National University Hospital due to heat exhaustion.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned on Equipment

SCDF’s trained personnel responded to the blaze with a new, customized rapid intervention mobile package produced by Tyco, including the Williams Fire & Hazard Control (WFHC) brand big gun Ambassador monitor which can shoot 6,000 gpm of foam onto the fire, the WFHC’s Dependapump, and large diameter hose

In addition, ground water monitors and fixed drencher systems were used to cool down the nearby oil tanks and prevent fire spreading

Lessons Learned on Organisational Aspects

The Singapore Civil Defence Force response was quick. They started operation within one hour after the fire started. By the time they arrived, the in-house emergency response team were already fighting the blaze using ground water monitors.

Lessons Learned on Mitigation Measures

The affected tank was contained within a bund wall that measured 100m by 150m.

ID: 61, Created: Amos NECCI, 2016-08-26 18:27:51 – Last Updated: Amos NECCI, 2021-03-31 07:48:15

Attachments

No	Description	File Size
1.	Good feed	579.38KB
2.	Industrial Fire World	5.27MB
3.	TNP Singapore	1.17MB