Long's Propane Service, Inc. Main Office - Executive Summary |
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Longs Propane Service, Inc. is an independent company serving the Yankton County area. The facilities owned and operated by the company include two separate large storage tanks. One is located at the main office, while the other is located at a remote location. Both are located on the east edge of the city of Yankton. This Risk Management Plan deals only with the main office location. The remote tank location is addressed in a separate Risk Management Plan. 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 18,000 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 14,400 gallons, or 61,000 pounds. The site is located near the east edge of the city of Yankton, which has a population of roughly 13,000 people. The area immediately surrounding the site contains a few residential and commercial facilities. The main residential areas of Yankton lie to the west of the site. The areas to the east, north, and south 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, 61,000 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 0.3 miles. No passive mitigation was considered in this model. This radius would encompass several residences and light commercial facilities. Using the USGS quadrangles for this area, it was estimated that a residential population of up to 25 people may be present withi n 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 accidents 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. They are then observed closely over the initial months of employment at the facility by the facility management to ensure proper job performance. Any knowing violation of safe working procedures is not tolerated. Safety meetings are conducted monthly. Safety and emergency response plans are prepared in house and updated periodically. Inspections of equipment at the facility are also periodic. 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, e quipment 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 relief valves, check valves, grounding equipment, manual and automatic shutoffs, and an excess flow device. Transfer mechanisms are also locked closed when not in use. The emergency response program for the facility is coordinated with the Yankton County LEPC and the Yankton Fire Department. While it includes actions to be taken in case of a release, emergency health care information, and an extensive contact list for informing the public and local agencies, the main intent of the plan is to notify the proper agencies who are specifically equipped to respond to a release or fire of a flammable substance. The plan is reviewed periodically. Facility personnel receive training for emerge ncy response in order to minimize any delays in dealing with an accidental release. Personal protective equipment is maintained at the site and employees are trained in its use. In summary, Longs Propane Service, Inc. has an excellent safety record. However, this record has not resulted in complacency. Management and 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 additions or facility modifications are planned at this time. |