Hoven Coop Service Company - Executive Summary |
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Hoven Co-op Service Company is an independent company serving the Potter, Walworth, and Edmunds County area. The facilities owned and operated by the company include a propane retailing operation. The main office is located within the city limits of the city of Hoven, in Potter County, while the storage tank is located roughly one quarter mile northwest of the city, in Walworth County. This is a remote storage tank location with no full time employees present. Propane is the only substance present at the site in a large enough quantity to be subject to the Risk Management Rule. Propane is stored at the site prior to sales to independent consumers. It is contained in one large tank which has a maximum capacity of 30,000 gallons. Administrative policy at the facility dictates that the tank never be filled above 80% of maximum capacity. Therefore, the maximum amount of propane that will ever be present at the site is 24,000 gallons, or 100,000 pounds. The site is located near th e northeast edge of the city of Hoven, which has a population of roughly 550 people. The area immediately surrounding the site contains a few residential and commercial facilities. The main residential areas of Hoven lie to the southwest of the site. The areas in all other directions are primarily agricultural lands which are sparsely populated. The worst-case and alternative release scenarios for the site were modeled using RMP Comp. In the worst-case scenario, 100,000 pounds of propane gas would be released over a period of 10 minutes and result in a vapor cloud explosion. Using a wind speed of 1.5 m/sec and an F Atmospheric Stability Class, it was determined that the distance to the toxic endpoint would be 0.4 miles. No passive mitigation was considered in this model. This radius would encompass residences on the northeast edge of the city of Hoven, as well as several commercial facilities in this area. Using the USGS quadrangles for this area, it was estimated that a resi dential population of up to 140 people may be present within this radius. Environmental receptors as defined in the data elements are not present. A transfer hose failure was determined to be a likely alternative release scenario. It was estimated that no more than 2 minutes would be required to halt the flow of propane if this were to occur. An estimated 800 pounds of propane would be released over this duration. Assuming a wind speed of 3 m/sec and an Atmospheric Stability Class of D, it was determined that the distance to the endpoint would be 0.1 miles. No active or passive mitigation was considered in this model. Commercial facilities would be the only potential receptors within this radius. No residences are located close enough to be affected. Therefore, it is estimated that no residential population is present within this radius. Once again, no environmental receptors are present within this radius. The facility has an excellent safety record. No reportable accid ents or incidents as referred to in the data elements have occurred within the past five years. This safety record is the result of the priority that safety is given at the facility. The small number of employees who handle propane eases ensuring that proper training is provided and proper procedures are followed. Any new employees, or employees who may be switching to new duties, are provided with a combination of classroom and on-the-job training. Any knowing violation of safe working procedures is not tolerated. Safety meetings are conducted periodically. Accident prevention plans are prepared in house and updated periodically. Inspections of equipment at the facility are also periodic. The installation of a new loadout pump is scheduled for June of 1999. The major hazard at the facility is the release of propane to the atmosphere and its subsequent ignition. Some of the scenarios which could lead to this are fire in the area surrounding the tank, equipment failure, damage to the tank from external sources (collision, etc.), corrosion of the tank and/or valves and piping, overfilling an/or overpressurization, and failure of transfer mechanisms. However, the possibility of these occurring is limited by the presence of such safety features as vents, relief valves, check valves, a backup pump, grounding equipment, manual shutoffs, a keyed bypass, and a purge system. Transfer mechanisms are also locked closed when not in use. The emergency response program for the facility is coordinated with the Hoven Fire Department. Company employees will not respond to any release of propane, so the facility does not have an emergency response plan beyond procedures for notifying emergency responders. Due to the close proximity of the storage tank to the city, response by the Fire Department to any release would be rapid. In summary, Hoven Co-op Service Company has an excellent safety record. However, this record has not resulted in complacency. Management an d employees are dedicated to performing their duties safely, and have demonstrated that they are willing to comply with all applicable standards and guidelines. Changes in record keeping and reporting required under the RMP Rule will be implemented in the facility safety plan. No major additions or facility modifications are planned at this time. |