Hazards of Petroleum

The Main Hazards

Flammability
Volatile / Non Volatile
Zone Classification
The Fire Triangle
Toxicity
Benzene
Toluene
Enclosed Space Entry
Oxygen

Deficiency
Gas Density (layering)
Enclosed Space Entry
Hydrogen

Sulphide H2S
The Flammability Envelope
5%
10% 15% 20%
5%
10%
15%
Flammable
Mixtures
Oxygen

Percentage by Volume
Hydrocarbon
Gas

Percentage
by Volume
Critical dilution
with air
Dilution
with
Inert
Gas
Dilution with air
Dilution with air
Volatility
Volatile
Non -

Volatile
Flashpoint of 60C or below

as determined by the
closed cup method of testing.
Flashpoint above 60C as determined by the
closed cup method of testing.
Zone Classification
Zone 0
Zone 1
Zone 2
Flammable atmosphere present continuously (>1000 hours per annum)
Flammable atmosphere present intermittently (>10 <1000 hours per

annum)
Flammable atmosphere present for short periods (<10 hours per annum)
At a Terminal account is taken of the probability of a flammable

gas
mixture being present by grading hazardous areas into three zones
The Fire Triangle
Ignition Source
O
x
y
g
e
n
F
u
e
l
Other

Hazards
Reputation
Fatalities
Pollution
People
Casualties
Fatalities
Environment
Pollution
Fire and Explosion
Equipment
Failure and Financial Loss