Fire hazards estimation for Fire Hazards Analyses for Department of Energy facilities at the Savannah River Site (SRS).

摘要

During the performance of Fire Hazards Analyses (FHA) for Department of Energy facilities, the Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) is required to estimate fire hazards within a facility or fire area in question. A FHA attempts to describe and establish the relationships between fire and its environment. However, standardized tools and methods to produce quantitative descriptions of hazards have not been readily available or utilized at DOE sites in the past. The method of (open quotes)hand type(close quotes) calculations discussed in this paper, were developed to address deficiencies in the (open quotes)average fuel loading(close quotes) method of calculating fire severities. This methodology has been developed as a method of continuing to perform FHAs under the (open quotes)Interim Guidance(close quotes) from DOE, on the performance of FHAs. The method described, has not received approval from DOE, nor has any been requested. It is changing and improving during use, and is being presented to provide an example of a potential calculation methodology. Using established engineering relationships and the hazards inventories present within a fire area, an engineer can predict the severities, damage potential, and impact on building systems and occupants. Some of these procedures and correlations have existed for a number of years, however, the computer has made it easy for the FPE to use them on a day to day basis. The method described has been used at the Savannah River Site (SRS) to estimate fire severities and consequences in preparing a revision to the FHA for an existing Chemical Separations Facility. The object was to develop scenarios that predict realistic severities and losses, that would be utilized to develop cost efficient upgrades to protect the employees and public from the consequences of a fire in the facility. This FHA has not been submitted to DOE for review and comment as of the date of this paper.