Explosion hazards due to spray releases
Offshore Information Sheet No. 1/2009
This information sheet brings attention to the explosion hazard of spray releases caused
by:
Atomisation on release of fluids under pressure:
Impingement of released fluids on nearby equipment:
Recondensation after the release of flashing liquids.
Incidents at Flixborough (see ref 1) and, in particular, Buncefield (see ref 2) have been linked to such releases.
Detailed guidance from explosion mechanisms at Buncefield will take time to emerge and this note therefore advocates that safety cases address risk reduction measures to minimise this hazard.
Source: HSE