Facility Siting
Facility Siting References
We have been actively involved in developing many Facility Siting references, including:
- API Recommended Practice 752 (API RP 752), Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Permanent Buildings
- API Recommended Practice 753 (API RP 753), Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Portable Buildings
- API Recommended Practice 756 (API RP 756), Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Tents
- ASCE publication, Design of Blast Resistant Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities and the Center for Chemical Process Safety
- CCPS publication, Guidelines for Process Plant Buildings for External Explosions and Fires
- CCPS publication, Guidelines for Vapor Cloud Explosion, Pressure Vessel Burst, BLEVE and Flash Fire Hazards
Facility Siting Services for Process Safety Management
Hazards Analysis
Evaluating fire, toxic and explosion hazard consequences is required by regulatory agencies to demonstrate worker protection and public exposure. ABS Group quantifies consequences to help our clients to clearly understand the risks. Our knowledge and experience with a range of hazard analysis tools allows us to select and apply the most appropriate techniques for each situation. Primary services offered for hazards analysis include:
Hazard Remediation
Once an unacceptable hazard is identified, it must be remediated. Our engineers have extensive plant experience developing practical measures to reduce the magnitude or severity of the hazard and to reduce the consequences. This is accomplished through a variety of measures including process changes, relocation of personnel, hardening of facilities and new facility construction. We assist clients in developing a comprehensive remediation plan that includes costs and schedules. Representative tasks include:
- Structural Design of Blast Resistant Buildings (New and Retrofit)
- Blast Specifications for New Buildings
- Specifications for Blast Resistant Modular Buildings
- Non Structural Mitigation - Windows, Doors and Debris Hazards
- Thermal Hazard Mitigation Design
- Mitigation Action Plan Development and Evaluation of Alternatives
- Project Planning and Front End Engineering Design (FEED)
- Bid Support and Construction Administration
- Design of Control Rooms and Safe Havens
- Portable Building and Tent Siting Support
- Finite Element Analysis of Structures and Equipment
Extreme Loads and Structural Risk Services
The Extreme Loads and Structural Risk (ELSR) division at ABS Group supports government agencies in testing controlled blasts at our Shock Tube Test Facility in San Antonio, Texas – one of the largest-scale shock tube test facilities in the U.S.
Our Safety, Risk and Compliance services go beyond just performing a study and remediating the findings. We also have experience in the following areas to provide a complete solution to any client:
- Extreme loads and structural risk safety assessments and studies
- Facility Siting guidelines and corporate risk criteria development
- Air Tightness testing of buildings including blower door testing, tracer gas testing and infrared thermography
- Explosion testing to evaluate structural response to blast, including structural retrofits
- Remote and onsite Training Services
Learn more about our Shock Tube Test Facility for controlled blast tests.
Related Services
Process Safety Management
No other firm has as much knowledge and experience in the process safety arena. Commercial clients and government agencies worldwide turn to us to upgrade their level of process safety performance. It is part of a larger Safety, Risk and Compliance effort that has helped many industries avoid major accidents, as well as manage and comply with changing safety requirements. Services cover topics that include:
- Management of Change
- Pre-Startup Safety Review
- Incident Investigation and Response
- Facility Siting
Compliance Management
As regulations and standards change, ABS Group can address the specific challenges at your facility and provide comprehensive solutions. We can not only evaluate assets, but also implement any needed adjustments to your infrastructure. We will help you remain efficient while working to meet or exceed regulations, achieving compliance with a number of governing bodies including:
- NERC
- BSEE SEMS
- PHMSA
- COMAH/SEVESO
- HSE