Mead Containerboard - Executive Summary |
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Accidental Release Prevention And Emergency Policies Mead Containerboard handles propane which is considered hazardous by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The same properties that make propane valuable as a fuel also make it necessary to observe certain safety precautions in handling propane to prevent unnecessary humane exposure, to reduce the threat to personal health, and to reduce the threat to nearby members of the community. It is the policy of Mead Containerboard to adhere to all applicable Federal and State rules and regulations. Safety depends upon the manner in which propane is handled and combined with the safe handling procedures that must be used in training Mead Containerboard personnel. Mead Containerboard has an exemplary safety record and has had no accidental releases of propane that have caused any injury or property damage to anyone on site or off site in the history of the Covington, Georgia plant. Mead Containerboard's emer gency response program is based upon in-house documents titled: Incipient Fire Brigade, Procedure Number 01-404; Pressure Vessel and Storage Tank Inspection, Procedure Number 01-215; and Accident Investigation, Procedure Number 01-109. These plans include procedures for notification of the local fire authority (City of Covington, Georgia fire department) and notification of any potentially affected neighbors. Stationary Source And Regulated Substance Handled The primary purpose of this facility is to produce corrugated containers. Corrugated containers are produced from corrugating medium (inner fluted paper layer), linerboard (outer paper layers), and adhesive. Propane is used as a back-up fuel source for the main boilers that generate steam for the corrugating process. Propane is received by transport trucks and is stored in two "co-located" 30,000 gallon above ground steel storage tanks which are located along the northeast comer of the property. Vessels are defined as three typ es: single vessels, interconnected vessels, and co-located vessels. "Co-located" vessels are defined as multiple unconnected vessels, containing the same substance. Worst-Case Release Scenario(s) And The Alternative Release Scenario(s), Including Administrative Controls And Mitigation Measures To Limit The Distance For Each Reported Scenario. Since this facility has co-located vessels, it must be determined whether the separate vessels could be involved in a single release. Due to the flammable nature of propane, and the proximity of the vessels, a fire could feasibly spread from one vessel to the other, or an explosion could rupture both vessels. Based on the above referenced information, the tanks must be considered as a single process. Worst-Case Scenario - failure of the two 30,000 gallon above ground storage tanks when filled to the greatest amount allowed would release 254,400 pounds of propane. Company policy limits the maximum filling capacity of this tank to 85% at 60 'F. It assumed that the entire contents are released as vapor which finds an ignition source, 100% of the released quantity is assumed to participate in the resulting explosion. The distance to the endpoint of psi for the worst-case scenario is 0.49 miles. Alternative Scenario - A pull-away causing failure of a 25 foot length of 4 inch hose. The excess flow valves function to stop the flow. The contents of the hose are released. The resulting unconfined vapor travels to the lower flammability limit. The distance to the endpoint for the lower flammability limit for the alternative scenario is less than 317 feet. This release has the possibility of extending beyond the facility boundary. General Accidental Release Prevention Program and The Specific Prevention Steps Mead Containerboard complies with EPA's Accidental Release Prevention Rule and with all applicable state codes and regulations. The propane storage facility was designed and constructed in accordance with National Fire Preve ntion Association (NFPA) - 58. There are seven elements in the Program 2 prevention program. These include: safety information, hazard review, operating procedures, training, maintenance, compliance audits, and accident investigation. These seven elements have been integrated into the risk management program. Specific details relating to Mead's integration of these elements may be found in the Mead Containerboard-Covington Safety Manual. Five Year Accident History There have been no reported accidental releases of propane at this facility for the last five years. Emergency Response Program The emergency response program is based upon Mead Containerboard's Procedure Number 01-404, Incipient Fire Brigade, as well as the City of Covington's Fire department SOP 105.1 - Response to Incidents Involving Hazardous Materials which includes the NPGA's LP-Gas handbook, "Guidelines for developing Plant Emergency Response Procedures" and "How to Control LP-Gas Leaks and Fires" and "Guidelines for Conducting A Fire Safety Analysis". Planned Changes To Improve Safety Mead Containerboard has upgraded the truck unloading station, propane liquid pumps, vaporizer/mixer, and general equipment and signs associated with the propane system. This work was completed by Combustion Services, Inc., Peachtree City, Georgia in accordance with their Proposal Number 00398 dated March 18, 1998. |