Robert A. Betts Filter Plant - Executive Summary |
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR THE R. A. BETTS FILTER PLANT THE ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE POLICIES. Chlorine 1-ton cylinders are stored in a room designed specifically for chlorine. The room has chlorine detectors that are serviced annually and are part of the training program for all employees. The detectors are linked to a discharge fan system which carries escaping gas out of the facility so that repairs can be done on the leaking cylinder or line. The detectors are also connected to a warning system which intermittently sounds a warning horn and flashes a red warning light. Each employee is trained on the proper methods for removing empty cylinders and replacing them with full cylinders. We use the "buddy system" any time we connect to or disconnect tubing from the cylinders. We do not allow one person to be alone at any time during any procedure that might cause chlorine gas to leak or be released. -Every valve is closed from the cylinder outward so that the chlorine gas supply will be shut off in every piece of supply tubing. -As the operator loosens the valve, he does it slowly so that he can retighten it quickly if there is gas present. -The valve facings are cleaned before being attached to another cylinder and a lead gasket is placed between the yoke valve and the cylinder valve. -The cylinder valve is opened slightly and reclosed. *Ammonia gas is used to check for leaks. Ammonia vapors make a white smoke when they come in contact with chlorine vapors. -If no leak is present, each valve is opened and closed in succession, being checked with ammonia gas for leaks. -I f there are no leaks, the cylinder is placed in service or in standby. The operator then logs the date, time, personnel in attendance, cylinder number, and a description of any problems which occurred along with recommendations for parts replacement or necessary repairs. Each employee is also trained on the proper use of the "Chlorine B Kit". We have a "Self Contained Breathing Apparatus" available at the entrance of the chlorine storage room. The SCBA is tested and recharged annually. The management team at the Water Works Board of the City of Opelika is committed to the safety of each of our employees and to the safety of our environment and surrounding community. We take all steps necessary to insure the safety and protection of our employees and surrounding community by implementing the latest and most efficient safety procedures. THE PROCEDURE FOR A CHLORINE DISCHARGE IS AS FOLLOWS. MINIMAL DISCHARGE - This type of discharge would be only a small amount of chlorine gas escaping during routine cylinder exchange. The amount of chlorine discharged would not exceed a 15 second release of 5/8" tubing. The procedure is described in the exchange and replacement of chlorine cylinders. MODERATEL Y SEVERE DISCHARGE - A moderately severe discharge would be one in which a supply line or valve ruptured and chlorine gas was escaping at a rate of approximately 10.5 lbs/min. The operator would be alerted by the warning system that a possible chlorine leak might have occurred. The operator would immediately proceed to the alarm area to visually inspect the area through the window. Note: The operators are not allowed to open the doors of a storage or supply room in the instance of chlorine discharge if they are not accompanied by another responsible person. If upon inspection, the operator determines that the leak is a moderately severe leak, he would follow these steps: DO NOT ENTER THE CHLORINE ROOM ALONE CHLORINE GAS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND DEATH. STAY UPWIND AND ABOVE THE GAS. Step 1: Call 911 and inform them that we have a chlorine discharge and describe the approximate severity of the release. Step 2: Call your immediate supervisor and/or maintenance personnel. Step 3: When two people are present, one should put on the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and the other should prepare the Chlorine "B" Kit for use. Step 4: The person with the SCBA should enter the chlorine storage room and inspect the damage. Step 5: If the leak is easily repaired, repair the leak and contain the leak. Step 6: If the leak cannot be contained, wait for help and contain the leak Step 7: Fill out the necessary accident reports. SEVERE DISCHARGE - A severe discharge would be one in which chlorine gas was escaping at a rate of approximately 200 lbs/min. The operator would be alerted by the warning system that a possible chlorine leak might have occurred. The operator would immediately proceed to the alarm area to visually inspect the area through the window. Note: The operators are not allowed to open the doors of a storage or supply room in the instance of chlorine discharge if they are not accompanied by another responsible person. If upon inspection, the operator determines that the leak is a moderately severe leak, he would follow these steps: DO NOT ENTER THE CHLORINE ROOM ALONE CHLORINE GAS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND DEATH. STAY UPWIND AND ABOVE THE GAS. Step 1: Call 911 and inform them that we have a chlorine discharge and describe the approximate severity of the release. Step 2: Call your immediate supervisor and/or maintenance personnel. Step 3: Prepare to put on the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and move the Chlorine "B" Kit to the outside of the room. Step 4: Man the telephones and wait for help to arrive. Follow instructions received by the Emergency Management Agency Representative. Step 5: When help arrives, contain t he leak. Step 6: Fill out the necessary accident reports. THE R. A. BETTS FILTER PLANT AND THE REGULATED SUBSTANCES HANDLED. The Robert A. Betts Filter Plant is a water treatment and filtration facility. We take water from Lake Harding in its natural state and treat it to make it potable. We take pride in the quality of the water that we deliver to our customers as well as the low impact that our facility makes on our surrounding environment. The process of water treatment, in simple terms, is the addition of a substance called a coagulant to change the electrical charge of the water so we can form a heavier substance that will envelope undesirable elements and fall to the bottom of a basin designed for settling. One of the processes we use is a disinfection process. Water-borne diseases, bacteria, viruses, and cysts can live and grow in water so we disinfect to kill these undesirables. The disinfectant we use is chlorine. Chlorine will kill almost any living creature and is a very effective disinfectant because of that. Because chlorine can be so deadly, we take great care in how we handle and store chlorine. Chlorine is shipped to us on flat-bed trucks. The trucks carry cylinders that hold 2000 pounds of liquid chlorine. Each container has been thoroughly inspected and certified by the chemical manufacturer before it was filled with chlorine. We normally would have no more than four full cylinders on hand at any one time. The chlorine takes the form of gas in the upper parts of the cylinders and that is what we use to mix with water to create a chlorine disinfecting dose to add to the water. We store the cylinders in a room that was specially designed to house the cylinders. Every precaution has been taken to insure the safety of our employees and the surrounding community. THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO AND THE ALTERNATIVE RELEASE SCENARIO. Chlorine gas can be deadly. Chlorine is heavier than air and therefore will seek the lowest levels of terrain. Chlorine is a yellowish gas and will burn the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. It will severely damage lungs, possibly causing death. MINIMAL DISCHARGE - This type of discharge would be only a small amount of chlorine gas escaping during routine cylinder exchange. The amount of chlorine discharged would not exceed a 15 second release of 5/8" tubing. This release scenario has no offsite impact. The release is completely contained and will not cause problems outside the plant. MODERATELY SEVERE DISCHARGE - A moderately severe discharge would be one in which a supply line or valve ruptured and chlorine gas was escaping at a rate of approximately 10.5 lbs/min. This release can have significant impact offsite. This release would normally last for approximately one hour with 317 lbs. of chlorine gas escaping at a rate of 10.5 lbs/min. The distance that would be affected is a radius of approximately 0.56 miles. In the absence of wind, the gas would flow downward toward the l ake area. Loss of life would be minimal. SEVERE DISCHARGE - A severe discharge would be one in which chlorine gas was escaping at a rate of approximately 200 lbs/min. This release is extremely life-threatening and would cause significant damage and possibly death to the surrounding area. This release would last for only 10 minutes but the release rate would be 200 lbs/min., releasing the entire contents of a one ton cylinder. The distance that would be affected is a radius of approximately 3 miles. In the absence of wind, the gas would flow downward toward the lake area. Loss of life could be heavy. THE GENERAL ACCIDENTAL RELEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM AND CHEMICAL-SPECIFIC PREVENTION STEPS. The Water Works Board of the City of Opelika is committed to the safety of each of our employees and to the safety of our environment and surrounding community. We take all steps necessary to insure the safety and protection of our employees and surrounding community by implementing the la test and most efficient safety procedures. Chlorine 1-ton cylinders are stored in a room designed specifically for chlorine. The room has chlorine detectors that are serviced annually and are part of the training program for all employees. The detectors are linked to a discharge fan system which carries escaping gas out of the facility so that repairs can be done on the leaking cylinder or line. The detectors are also connected to a warning system which intermittently sounds a warning horn and flashes a red warning light. Each employee is trained on the proper methods for removing empty cylinders and replacing them with full cylinders. We use the "buddy system" any time we connect to or disconnect tubing from the cylinders. We do not allow one person to be alone at any time during any procedure that might cause chlorine gas to leak or be released. Every valve is closed from the cylinder outward so that the chlorine gas supply will be shut off in every piece of supply tubing. As the operator loosens the valve, he does it slowly so that he can retighten it quickly if there is gas present. The valve facings are cleaned before being attached to another cylinder and a lead gasket is placed between the supply valve and the cylinder valve. The cylinder valve is opened slightly and reclosed. Ammonia gas is used to check for leaks. If no leak is present, each valve is opened and closed in succession, being checked with ammonia gas for leaks. If there are no leaks, the cylinder is placed in service or in standby. The operator then logs the date, time, personnel in attendance, cylinder number, and a description of any problems which occurred along with recommendations for parts replacement or necessary repairs. THE FIVE-YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY. The Robert A. Betts Filter Plant has never had an accidental chlorine release that would impact any offsite premises. THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM. Chlorine 1-ton cylinders are stored in a room designed specifica lly for chlorine. The room has chlorine detectors that are serviced annually and are part of the training program for all employees. The detectors are linked to a discharge fan system which carries escaping gas out of the facility so that repairs can be done on the leaking cylinder or line. The detectors are also connected to a warning system which intermittently sounds a warning horn and flashes a red warning light. Each employee is trained on the proper methods for removing empty cylinders and replacing them with full cylinders. We use the "buddy system" any time we connect to or disconnect tubing from the cylinders. We do not allow one person to be alone at any time during any procedure that might cause chlorine gas to leak or be released. Every valve is closed from the cylinder outward so that the chlorine gas supply will be shut off in every piece of supply tubing. As the operator loosens the valve, he does it slowly so that he can retighten it quickly if there is gas pr esent. The valve facings are cleaned before being attached to another cylinder and a lead gasket is placed between the supply valve and the cylinder valve. The cylinder valve is opened slightly and reclosed. Ammonia gas is used to check for leaks. If no leak is present, each valve is opened and closed in succession, being checked with ammonia gas for leaks. I f there are no leaks, the cylinder is placed in service or in standby. The operator then logs the date, time, personnel in attendance, cylinder number, and a description of any problems which occurred along with recommendations for parts replacement or necessary repairs. Each employee is also trained on the proper use of the "Chlorine B Kit". We have a "Self Contained Breathing Apparatus" available at the entrance of the chlorine storage room. The SCBA is tested and recharged annually. The management team at the Water Works Board of the City of Opelika is committed to the safety of each of our employees and to the saf ety of our environment and surrounding community. We take all steps necessary to insure the safety and protection of our employees and surrounding community by implementing the latest and most efficient safety procedures. The procedure for a chlorine discharge is as follows. MINIMAL DISCHARGE - This type of discharge would be only a small amount of chlorine gas escaping during routine cylinder exchange. The amount of chlorine discharged would not exceed a 15 second release of 5/8" tubing. The procedure is described in the exchange and replacement of chlorine cylinders. MODERATELY SEVERE DISCHARGE - A moderately severe discharge would be one in which a supply line or valve ruptured and chlorine gas was escaping at a rate of approximately 10.5 lbs/min. The operator would be alerted by the warning system that a possible chlorine leak might have occurred. The operator would immediately proceed to the alarm area to visually inspect the area through the window. Note: The operato rs are not allowed to open the doors of a storage or supply room in the instance of chlorine discharge if they are not accompanied by another responsible person. If upon inspection, the operator determines that the leak is a moderately severe leak, he would follow these steps: DO NOT ENTER THE CHLORINE ROOM ALONE CHLORINE GAS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND DEATH. STAY UPWIND AND ABOVE THE GAS. Step 1: Call 911 and inform them that we have a chlorine discharge and describe the approximate severity of the release. Step 2: Call your immediate supervisor and/or maintenance personnel. Step 3: When two people are present, one should put on the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and the other should prepare the Chlorine "B" Kit for use. Step 4: The person with the SCBA should enter the chlorine storage room and inspect the damage. Step 5: If the leak is easily repaired, repair the leak and contain the leak. Step 6: If the leak cannot be contained, wait for help and contain the leak Step 7: Fill out the necessary accident reports. SEVERE DISCHARGE - A severe discharge would be one in which chlorine gas was escaping at a rate of approximately 200 lbs/min. The operator would be alerted by the warning system that a possible chlorine leak might have occurred. The operator would immediately proceed to the alarm area to visually inspect the area through the window. Note: The operators are not allowed to open the doors of a storage or supply room in the instance of chlorine discharge if they are not accompanied by another responsible person. If upon inspection, the operator determines that the leak is a moderately severe leak, he would follow these steps: DO NOT ENTER THE CHLORINE ROOM ALONE CHLORINE GAS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND DEATH. STAY UPWIND AND ABOVE THE GAS. Step 1: Call 911 and inform them that we have a chlorine discharge and describe the approximate severity of the release. Step 2: Call your immediate supervisor and/or maintenance personnel. Step 3: Prepare to put on the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and move the Chlorine "B" Kit to the outside of the room. The Lee County Emergency Management Agency coordinates all hazardous containments and clean-ups. They also coordinate activities of police, fire and emergency personnel in crisis situations. The Opelika Water Works Board in conjunction with the Lee County Emergency Management Agency, the Opelika Police Department, the Opelika Fire Department, the East Alabama Medical Center, and Emergency Transport Services are conducting a mock chlorine disaster in October, 1999. PLANNED CHANGES TO IMPROVE SAFETY. The Opelika Water Works Board continually strives to improve safety features in our system and at our two water treatment facilities. -We are designing and will install "air scrubbers" in our chlorine storage rooms. The air scrubbers will minimize and contain any release that might occur and will limit the amount of chlorine gas that would be allowed to escape to be harmless to the surrounding community. |