Norvelt Business Plaza - Executive Summary

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
Norvelt Business Plaza:  The Norvelt Business Plaza is a facility which rents commercial and manufacturing space to various operations.  The plaza is located in Norvelt, Pennsylvania within  Westmoreland County.  The regulated substance is an 18,000 gallon propane tank that is used for comfort heat and fuel for both a glass melting furnace and a spray dryer. 
 
The accidental release prevention and emergency response policies at Norvelt Business Plaza:  The Norvelt Business Plaza complies with all NFPA-58 requirements for LP-Gas Stroage, and it is our policy to adhere to all federal, state and local laws.  If an emergency did happen to occur, it is our policy to immediately notify the Norvelt Fire Department and request that they immediately respond to the situation at hand. 
 
The worst-case and alternative release scenarios:  Our worst-case scenario is the complete failure of the 18,000 gallon propane tank.  At the NFPA capacity limit of 88%, this tank will contain a m 
aximum of 66,528 pounds of propane.  This release would result in vapor cloud explosion with an off-site endpoint of 0.3 miles.  Public receptors are within the endpoint of this scenario.  The alternate release scenario is a break in a 2-inch diameter pipe, leading to a 10-minute release and explosion.  The resulting endpoint extends off-site, and public receptors are within the endpoint of 0.2 miles. 
 
The general accidental release prevention program and chemical-specific prevention steps:  The Norvelt Business Plaza complies with the EPA's accident prevention rule and all applicable state and local codes and regulations.  The propane system is designed, installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA-58 codes and state laws. 
 
Five-year accident history:  Norvelt Business Plaza has never had an accident involving propane that caused deaths, injuries, property or environmental damage, or evacuations. 
 
The emergency response program:  In the event of an emergency involving the propane  
syustem, it is the policy of the Norvelt Business Plaza to notify the Norvelt Fire Department and request that they immediately respond to the emergency.  The policies and evacuation procedures have been coordinated with the fire department, and the department has also inspected the propane system. 
 
Planned changes to improve safety:  No plans for improving the safety of this system are in the foreseeable future.
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