Merchants Terminal Corporation-Baltimore - Executive Summary |
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MERCHANTS TERMINAL CORPORATION RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. General accidental release and prevention policy of Merchants Terminal. In this frozen food distribution center we utilize anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant. Anhydrous ammonia is considered hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency. The same properties that make ammonia a valuable refrigerant also makes it necessary to observe certain safety precautions during it's use to prevent exposure to our workers, the surrounding community and the environment. It is our policy at Merchants terminal Corporation to implement the requirements of the Risk Management Program by managing and operating this facility in full compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations that we are governed by. The objective is to minimize the risk of an accidental release of hazardous materials. Safety depends direc tly on our proper handling of ammonia. Our plant personnel have been trained on the equipment operating procedures and the various safety devices that are incorporated in our facility to prevent the possibility of accidental releases. 2. Stationary source and regulated substance handled. Merchants Terminal Corporation, 501 N. Kresson Street, Baltimore, Maryland is responsible for the storage and distribution of various frozen food products. Merchants Terminal is located in an industrial area of suburban Baltimore. In addition to our facility the surrounding community houses other commercial businesses as well as residential areas. There are approximately 22 employees at this facility which includes hourly and salary personnel. This distribution facility receives and prepares shipment of frozen and refrigerated food products via tractor trailers approximately 10 hours a day, five days a week. The potentially hazardous chemical used at the Merchants Terminal facility is Anhydrous Ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia, in a liquid and vapor physical state, is the chemical used in the refrigeration process. The potential hazards that could lead to an accidental release of ammonia include, but are not limited to, equipment failure, damage to piping, damage to equipment, human error, etc. Although ammonia is a colorless, tasteless liquid, it's dominant characteristic is it's pungent, distinct odor. Persons exposed to ammonia will not voluntarily stay in areas of even small concentrations, although these levels would not normally result in any health risks. Risks from accidental exposure to ammonia in a vapor state are irritations to the eyes, nose and throat. The extent of irritation depends on the exposure amount and length of time exposed. Ammonia is classified non-flammable by the Department of Transportation. Ammonia will burn, but only in a very narrow concentration level when accompanied with a constant ignition source. The normal inventory level of ammonia tha t is used during the refrigeration process at the Merchants Terminal facility is 18,000 pounds. 3. Worst case and alternate case release scenarios including administrative and engineering controls to limit/ prevent accidental release. Worst case scenario depicts continuous source leak from the High Pressure Receiver (HPR) located inside the plant main machine room. This vessels normal operating level is 6,500 pounds of liquid ammonia, approximately 50% of it's total capacity. Although the high pressure receiver is capable of holding 13,000 pounds, this far exceeds company policy and engineering controls which limits the liquid level to a maximum of 80% at any time. Considering the "catastrophic" possibility does exist for this vessel to release it's entire contents, engineering controls incorporated into the system would normally prevent such a release. Worst case release scenario criteria for Merchants Terminal facility: Ammonia Quantity: 6,500 poun ds Rate of Release: 650 lbs / min. (10 min. release) LOC (Level of Concern): 200 ppm (EPA ERPG-2) Physical State: Gas Type of Area: Urban Wind Speed: 1.5 m/sec Distance to Endpoint 1.5 miles Alternate release scenario is represented by the release of ammonia vapor from a safety relief valve (SRV) due to an over-pressurization condition on a vertical vessel located within the Merchants Terminal facility machine room. The indicated relief valve would be performing exactly as it is designed to do during an over-pressurization condition. Valve would open to relieve the over-pressure and vent into the atmosphere via the roof vent pipe. Alternate case release scenario criteria for Merchants Terminal facility: Ammonia Quantity: 150 pounds Rate of Release: 22 pounds/min. (14 min. release) Wind Speed: 3.0 m/sec. Distance to Endpoint: 150 yards The following administrative and engineering controls are in place at Merchants Terminal. These controls are designed to eliminate, or reduce the possibilities of an accidental release from the refrigeration system. * Electronic ammonia detection in compressor, vessel and distribution areas. Alarms tie in to ADT Security system. Computer system activates a local audible alarm indicating an ammonia leak in the monitored areas. ADT notifies designated facility personnel of the potential problem detected by the system. * High level switches are configured to high and low temp accumulators which shut down compressor operation and close liquid make-up feed solenoid valves during a high level condition. * All compressors are configured with critical safety controls (high pressure, low pressure, high oil temp cut-outs, etc.) to shut down the respective compressor in the event of an abnormal operating condition. * Safety Relief Valves are configured to all pressure vessels, condensers and compressor oil separators to eliminate over-pressurization conditions in those associated pieces of equipment. * Periodic Maintenance Program is established within the maintenance department to ensure the refrigeration system and it's components are kept in optimum mechanical and operational status. * Emergency shutdown procedures are in place to activate the shut down system in the event of an actual emergency. 4. Five-year accident history. The Merchants Terminal distribution facility has had zero accidental releases to report. 5. Emergency Response Program The purpose of the Merchants Terminal Emergency Action Plan is to: 1. Minimize exposure to our employees and the surrounding community in the event of a hazardous material release or spill. 2. Assure the safe emergency evacuation of the p lant in the instance that it is required. 3. Provide for prompt medical attention to any employees who become seriously injured or ill at work. 4. Future development of our current plan will coordinate response of our internal and the available external resources to provide an efficient and effective response approach to any type of emergency that may occur at our facility. Our Emergency Action Plan currently meets requirements as set forth in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38, Employee Emergency and Fire Prevention Plans. |