LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting

LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting www.luelf-rinke.eu How much Fire Brigade do you really need? One question, but two answers! Governmental Regulations vs. Company Interests A new approach for sizing Industrial Fire Brigades in use in Germany and middle Europe 2012 4 th SFPE-SAC Fire Technology Conference & Exhibition in Dammam, Saudi Arabia November 12-14, 2012 LUELF & RINKE Sicherheitsberatung GmbH

Table of contents Company and Speaker Profiles Part 1 A new approach for sizing Industrial Fire Brigades in use in Germany and middle Europe 1 - Introduction 2 - Methodology of the sizing procedure 3 - Set of criteria ISABEL 4 - Development of site-specific scenarios 5 - Conclusion Part 2 Sizing Industrial Fire Brigades demonstrated by a Practical Example of a Chemical Plant in Germany 2

Company Profile Company Profile: LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting History & Experience: More than 30 years of experience in consulting (hundreds of projects since 2000 alone) From 1979 until 2003 at PricewaterhouseCoopers Since 2004 at LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting Clients: Private / Industrial Fire Brigades Public Fire Brigades & Emergency Medical Services Dispatch and Communication Centers Safety Authorities and Public Agencies Services: Planning and Sizing of Private and Public Fire Brigades & EMS Fire Station Location Assessments and Staffing Models/Analysis Operation Review / Master Planning Resource Deployment 3

Resume Uwe-Wolf LÜLF Dipl.-Ing. Uwe-Wolf LÜLF Managing Partner/CEO of LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting Education Diplom-Ingenieur (Graduate Engineer) in Safety Engineering University of Wuppertal Work Experience Since 2004 Managing Partner/CEO of LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting Since 1999 Consultant with LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting, since 2003 Department Manager Consulting Experience with several hundred Public Fire Services of different Community Sizes ranging from 2,500 to 3.5 Million Inhabitants as well as with Industrial Fire Brigades of different Branches and Sizes 3 Years Technical Manager of an Emergency Medical Service 2 Years Area Manager with Rhône-Poulenc in France 2 Years Department Manager with a Manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment Activities Served in several Fire Services of different Sizes throughout Germany and in France since 1989 Served as Paramedic from 1982 to 2000 Presentations at Conferences of the German Fire Protection Association, German Association of Plant Fire Brigades and other Symposia Lecturer for Fire Chief Rank Officers 4

Resume Thomas LINDEMANN Thomas LINDEMANN, B.Eng. Consultant with LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting Education Bachelor of Engineering in Rescue Engineering Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Germany Graduate Certificate in Fire Protection Engineering University of Maryland, USA Master of Science in Rescue Engineering (expected) Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Germany Work Experience Consultant with LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting, Germany, since 2009 Several Internships in the Field of Fire Protection and Rescue Services Activities Serves as Volunteer Firefighter since 2003 Serves as Emergency Medical Technician since 2006 Member of several Voluntary Organizations in Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Service 5

1 Introduction One Question: How much Fire Brigade do you really need? This question might be asked by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) public / people living in the neighborhood municipal fire brigade plant operators / plant managers companies located at the industrial site industrial fire brigade other stakeholders. Different needs / interests 7

1 Introduction Two answers: Perspective A = Public (regulatory) interest Assessing the size of the industrial fire brigade with respect to the public interest Perspective of the regulating authority having jurisdiction that reviews and approves the assessment Perspective B = Company interest Consideration of the risk of business interruption Consideration of potential damage to public image of the company (e.g. quick fire brigade intervention to avoid strong formation of smoke) Employee care: quick and effective fire brigade intervention to save lives Environmental care: consideration of the neighborhood (e.g. dense residential areas, crowded places in the immediate surroundings such as shopping centers etc.) Fostering the (safety) mission statements of the companies at the site Twofold assessment yields 2 performance levels that build upon each other: A = Basic level (basis for the permission of the authority having jurisdiction) B = Enhanced level (voluntary implementation as a matter of corporate responsibility) 8

1 Introduction The sizing process is unbiased as to the result It is important to have a technically competent and resilient methodology that reveals the requirements for an industrial fire brigade based on the site-specific hazards of an industrial site in a clear, transparent and comprehensible manner (also for lay people) Resulting strengths of private fire brigades compared to the current state Perspective A Perspective B Company / Sector (Public Interest) (Company Interest) Automobile Supplier equal more Chemical Plant "X" less equal Chemical Plant "Y" more more Chemical Plant "Z" less less Industrial Plant less equal International Airport "X" equal equal International Airport "Y" less less Paper Mill less equal in order to defense the results successfully against potential additional claims of the industrial fire brigade cost-cutters the authority having jurisdiction and other stakeholders. Petrochemical Tank Farm more* more* Pharmaceutical Industry less more Power Plant "X" equal more Power Plant "Y" equal equal University Hospital more* more* * Plant hasn't had an own fire brigade. Evaluation revealed the need for a private fire brigade. 9

2 Methodology of the sizing procedure Methodology of the sizing procedure - Overview Basis for the sizing of the industrial fire brigade: Not the frequently used method of benchmarking! But rather: Development of site-specific scenarios (analytical approach)! Risk Analysis Capabilities of the municipal fire department Other framework conditions (e.g. local guidelines) Site-specific scenarios Mitigating measures (as appropriate) Staffing level [time range 1] Availibility of staff avocational resp. volunteer staff Staffing level [time range 2] Definition of the human and material resources on the operational side 11

2 Methodology of the sizing procedure Analysis of the hazard potential of a plant by the self-developed set of criteria ISABEL methodologies of safety sciences practical techniques of preventive fire protection Methodology ISABEL engineering methods ISABEL = Interdisciplinary Safety Sciences based Analysis of Buildings and Establishments by Luelf methods of fire insurers knowledge of fire-fighting tactics 12

2 Methodology of the sizing procedure Methodology of the sizing procedure: Using a set of criteria (1) The development of the set of criteria was based on the following considerations: The determination of the size of the industrial fire brigade has to be transparent and comprehensible. Providing comparability between site locations (and different industry sectors). For this purpose, a uniform basis for the rating in the course of the risk assessment is needed. The rating must be feasible with a reasonable amount of effort. The set of criteria can be applied to a variety of industries and sectors: e.g. chemicals, petrochemicals, storage, metal refining sectors as well as airports, power plants etc. 13

2 Methodology of the sizing procedure Methodology of the sizing procedure: Using a set of criteria (2) The proposed methodology can be applied to both, industrial sites with and without an industrial fire brigade. For sites without fire brigade, the methodology may enable the development of specific solutions below the level forming an industrial fire brigade. The methodology takes into account the capabilities of the public fire service, which may significantly vary from site to site (e.g. career staffed urban fire brigades as opposed to volunteer fire services in remote rural areas). Sites located in the center of cities often lead to higher point ratings than in the open countryside (greenfield). The results have always been accepted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). 14

3 Set of criteria ISABEL Set of criteria to evaluate the site-specific hazards of each facility (1) Criterion 1: Time factor to save lives Central question: Is the response of the IFB required within X minutes* in order to save lives? Criterion 1-1: in case of a fire and/or thread of explosion Criterion 1-2: in case of a leakage of hazardous substances (potential harm to humans) Criterion 2: Time factor to mitigate severe damage to men and environment Central question: Is the response of the IFB required within X minutes* in order to mitigate or limit the severity of the hazard's impact to men and environment? *) The parameter "X minutes" is the total response time of the public fire service calculated for each facility as follows: turnout time + travel time + instructions at plant gate + travel time on the site + possibly extended orientation time compared to the industrial fire brigade ("which entrance to approach at this facility?") = total response time Criterion 3: Local knowledge regarding choice of extinguishing agent Central question: Does the fire brigade depend on local knowledge to be able to choose the suitable extinguishing agent? Criterion 4: Local knowledge regarding application of extinguishing agent Central question: Does the fire brigade depend on local knowledge to be able to apply the suitable extinguishing agent (e.g. access points for fire sprinkler or dry standpipe)? 16

3 Set of criteria ISABEL Set of criteria to evaluate the site-specific hazards of each facility (2) Criterion 5: Local knowledge regarding approaching on scene Central question: Does the fire brigade depend on local knowledge to be able to arrive on the scene of the accident in time? Criterion 6: Local knowledge regarding special structural characteristics Central question: Are there structural characteristics which may cause a critical situation with risk of harm to people (e.g. unsafe escape routes)? Criterion 7: Special equipment Central question: Is special equipment with experienced staff required to extinguish the fire? Criterion 8: Special extinguishing agents with application experience Central question: Are special extinguishing agents with experienced staff required to extinguish the fire? Criterion 9: Special knowledge in handling hazardous substances Central question: Does the emergency response team need special knowledge in handling hazardous substances? Criterion 10: Frequency of incidents Central question: Does the frequency of incidents require the provision of full-time staff? 17

3 Set of criteria ISABEL Set of criteria to evaluate the site-specific hazards of each facility (3) Score for criteria 1 to 9: Hazard is not higher than in the environment: Point value = 0 Extended hazard: Point value = 1 Significantly increased hazard: Point value = 2 Exceptional rule for criteria 1-1 and/or 1-2 (time factor to save lives): If the score has a point value of 2, an industrial fire brigade is mandatory, regardless of the scores of the other criteria or those of the other facilities. Whether the brigade needs to be operated by full-time career staff or by avocational support members depends on the specific situation. Score for criterion 10: Frequency of incidents can be handled by the municipal fire department: Point value = 0 Frequency of incidents possibly requires an industrial fire brigade: Point value = 1 Frequency of incidents requires an industrial fire brigade: Point value = 2 18

Ser. No. Facility Criterion 1-1 Criterion 1-2 Criterion 2 Criterion 3 Criterion 4 Criterion 5 Criterion 6 Criterion 7 Criterion 8 Criterion 9 Total Score (of all criteria) 3 Set of criteria ISABEL Set of criteria to evaluate the site-specific hazards of each facility (4) 1 Rail line crossing with hazmat 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 7 2 Production facility 1 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 7 3 Sulfur melting 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 7 4 Chemical powder 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 5 5 Production facility 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 6 Tank farm of aliphatic alcohols 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 7 Production facility 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 more facilities X Maximum 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 14 Note: Criterion 10 ( frequency of incidents ) is evaluated for the entire industrial site. 19

3 Set of criteria ISABEL The selection of the facilities for the development of scenarios are based on three aspects: 1) Highest scores 2) Point value of 2 for the criteria involving saving lives (criteria 1-1 and 1-1) 3) Reconciliation with the scenarios demanded by the authority having jurisdiction Approx. Top 10 of the facilities are selected for the development of scenarios. Ensure that a variety of different scenarios is chosen to cover as many different potential incident types as reasonably possible. In addition, choose also accidents at important transport routes (e.g. vehicle fire under a pipe bridge) because tasks of the fire brigade might be more difficult than at an accident that happens at its intended normal place. 20

3 Set of criteria ISABEL Set of criteria to evaluate the site-specific hazards of each facility (5) Preliminary evaluation of the results: Total points Recommendation of measures: 0 No special measures required 1-4 Special measures without forming an industrial fire brigade required 5-9 Industrial fire brigade required (possibly support staff sufficient; depending on specific situation) 10 Industrial fire brigade with relevant full-time staffing usually required The main objective of the facility ratings using the proposed set of criteria is to provide a technically competent and comprehensible basis for the choice which facilities and which main dangers are to be considered for the development of scenarios. 21

4 Development of site-specific scenarios Development of site-specific scenarios and the sizing process Site-specific scenarios are development on the basis of the risk assessment. From these scenarios, the needs in terms of response times, staffing and qualifications are derived. These needs are essential components to answer the question whether the defensive fire protection can be ensured by the municipal fire service or own company staff is required (and to which extent). The scenarios are developed twice from two different perspectives: A = Basic level (basis for the permission of the authority having jurisdiction) B = Enhanced level (voluntary implementation as a matter of corporate responsibility) [The approach involves two strictly separated perspectives, however they lead to similar results in some places.] 23

Number of functions necessary 4 Development of site-specific scenarios Defusing of resource intensive scenarios Installing stationary fire protection solutions 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Δ = 4 functions After optimizing: Less firefighters needed to handle the maximum scenarios 13 fu. Costs of stationary fire protection Costs of firefighting personnel Resource intensive scenarios should be defused by stationary fire protection systems resulting in a less personnel and material intensive response of the industrial fire brigade. 24

5 Conclusion Last step: Deriving the required size of the industrial fire brigade Define: Basis: Fire Station(s) Equipment Shift Strength ISABEL and Resulting Scenarios Command Unit Fire Engine 1 Fire Engine 2 Ambulance 1 Fu. Incident Commander 1 Fu. Support Officer 1 Fu. Company Officer 1 Fu. Pump Operator 2 Fu. Team 1 2 Fu. Team 2 1 Fu. Company Officer 1 Fu. Pump Operator 2 Fu. Team 1 2 Fu. Team 2 2 Fu. Ambulance Team 2 Fu. Special Units Team Special Units Total Strength: 18 functions (24/7) 26

5 Conclusion Key Messages Sizing industrial fire departments requires a twofold assessment leading to two results: Perspective A: Basic level (public interest) Perspective B: Enhanced level (company interest) Report can show results in a summarized manner for two states: Phase 1: Current situation Phase 2: Optimized situation (defusing top scenarios by stationary fire protection systems) Uniform methodology for all sectors and all plant locations, but site-specific assessment and sizing procedure of the industrial fire brigade. 27

Contact Thank you for your attention! Part 1 A new approach for sizing Industrial Fire Brigades in use in Germany and middle Europe Part 2 Sizing Industrial Fire Brigades demonstrated by a Practical Example of a Chemical Plant in Germany LUELF & RINKE Safety Consulting Internet: www.luelf-rinke.eu Email: info@luelf-rinke.de 28