Universal Urethanes, Inc. - Executive Summary |
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BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY UNIVERSAL URETHANES, INC. 3919 Eastex Freeway Houston, Texas 77026 Universal Urethanes, Inc. owns and operates a polyurethane foam manufacturing facility on 3919 Eastex Freeway. Universal Urethanes receives raw materials at its facility, mixes the materials to produce a polyurethane foam bun on a foam production line. The foam is then cured and stored on site prior to shipping to customers. Some limited fabrication takes place at the facility. One of the components used in the production of polyurethane foam is toluene diisocyanate (TDI). This compound is subject to EPAs Risk Management Rule. Toluene diisocyanate is delivered to the 3919 Eastex Freeway facility in tank trucks. The trucks are off-loaded to a storage tank located inside the building. Because the storage of TDI takes place inside the building, the probability of release of toluene diisocyante vapors into the atmosphere is reduced. As a result, the impact of such a release on the surrounding community is minimized. There are no receptors (buildings and people other than the Universal facility) that would be impacted by the release of stored toluene diisocyanate. Because there are no public receptors and there have been no significant incidents of release in the last five years, Universal Urethane, 3919 Eastex Freeway facility is classified as a "Program 1" facility. WORST-CASE SCENARIO Chemical: TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE Assumptions: * Instantaneous failure of the tank wall * Worst-case weather conditions (stable, low wind speed) * Instantaneous release of entire contents of tank ( 6522 gallons. ) Distance: 13 yards (39 feet) Descriptions: This release scenario has a toxic level of concern end point that is on Universal Urethanes property. Based on computer modeling (using an EPA-approved model) of a catastrophic release of TDI as described above, it would not impact any person standing or driving outside the boundary of the Universal Urethanes property. Any person visiting or working at Universal would be advised of the proper response action through the companys emergency response procedures. SECTION 2. TOXICS: WORST CASE EXPLANATION Section 2.6 release rate: Universal modeled with Aloha 5.2, the release rate calculated was 0.0000717 pounds per minute. Since EPA's RMP submit program does not accept any value less than 0.2 a factor of 0.2 was entered because that is the lowest number that the RMP program would accept. Based on the modeled release rate Universal is a Program 1 facility, independent of the value entered into RMP Submit. ACCIDENT PREVENTION Universal Urethanes, Inc. takes safety very seriously. We use safety equipment and strict procedures to prevent releases and to reduce the impact of any release that might occur. Some examples are: -Regular equipment inspections and maintenance to ensure proper operation. -Investigation of all incidents to improve our procedures. -Secondary co ntainment to ensure that the contents of hazardous material remain on site. -Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials, Emergency Contingency Planning. -Hazardous Materials Awareness Training -Hazardous Materials Response Training EMERGENCY RESPONSE Universal personnel are regularly trained and drilled on safety and accident prevention. The following agencies are in place to respond to a release of hazardous material. -Houston City Fire Department and Hazmat Team -TNRCC Emergency Response Team FIVE-YEAR ACCIDENT HISTORY No significant accidents or releases in past five years. |