Colfax Grange Supply Co., Inc. - Executive Summary |
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We are a fertilizer retail facility. The only materials considered hazardous at this facility are anhydrous ammonia and aqua (a 20 wt% solution of ammonia in water). Our facility has one 25,000 gallon and one 30,000 gallon tank for storing anhydrous, and two 10,000 gallon tanks for storing aqua, equipment for receiving anhydrous and aqua by truck, and equipment for transferring anhydrous and aqua from storage to trucks for delivery to customers. It is our policy to meet, or exceed, all local, state, and national standards relating to handling ammonia. In the past five years, we have not had any accidents or releases with off-site consequences. Specific safety features that we employ to minimize the impact of an accidental release include: 1. Excess flow valves to prevent flow from a tank or truck if any anhydrous hose or line breaks. 2. Pressure relief valves on the anhydrous storage tanks to prevent overpressuring and rupturing the tanks. 3. Diking around the aqua storage area, to contain accidental aqua spills. To further ensure safe operation of the facility, our employees are trained in procedures for safe handling of hazardous materials, and in safe operating and maintenance procedures. We have also coordinated with the Colfax Fire Department to respond in the unlikely event of an emergency. As required by the EPA, we have analyzed the worst-case release scenario defined by the EPA. This scenario involves a release of the entire contents of the largest anhydrous storage tank. According to information supplied by the EPA the impact from this scenario would extend 4.2 miles from our facility, and would impact residences, schools, the hospital, and the Colfax commercial area. It is extremely unlikely that an event such as EPAs worst-case release scenario will ever occur. A more probable, but still highly unlikely event, would be an event like a hose break during a truck pull away. According to information supplied by the EPA, the impact from such a re lease of anhydrous would only extend 814 feet and would not impact any residences, schools, the hospital, or the Colfax commercial area. The impact from such a release of aqua also would only extend 250 feet and would not impact any residences, schools, the hospital, or the commercial area. |