CKB 30103 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

Tutorial 2 Explosion

1. A 100 kg tank of liquid propane is going to be installed to heat a house during winter.

i. Determine the equivalent amount of TNT if it explode; assume the explosion

efficiency is 1.5%.
[The energy of explosion of TNT is 4686 kJ/kg. MW: Carbon – 12; Hydrogen – 1].
ii. Determine the side-on peak overpressure from the blast (if the explosion is occur on
the ground)
iii. Determine the side-on peak overpressure from the blast (if the explosion is occur on
the air)
iv. Estimate the loss in term people death percentage, if the tank is going be located at
53.6m away from the house.
[Ambient pressure: 101.3kPa / 14.7psia /101,325 N/m2 per atm].

2. An informal industry rule is to design occupied control rooms to withstand a 1000 Ib blast of
TNT. Determine the distance (in ft) must a residential home be, in order to receive no more
than minor damage to house structures.

3. From the following case study,

a. Calculate the equivalent amount of TNT [if it involved 100kg of acetylene].

b. Determine the side-on peak overpressure from the blast; and its loss to asset/facilities.
c. Determine the loss to human.
[assume an explosion efficiency of 2%].

An explosion in Serian, Sarawak

KUCHING:
A powerful explosion has rocked the city of Serian. The explosion caused a lot of broken glass on
the premises including a petrol station which is located about 500 meters from the explosion site.
It also led to some electric poles were uprooted and destroyed several vehicles.

According to unconfirmed reports said the explosion occurred in a processing plant fire acetylene
at 3pm.
 CKB 30103 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Tutorial 2 Explosion

Eight workers at the plant were said to be injured and were treated at the Hospital Serian district.
It is understood that there are still trapped under the rubble and firefighters were trying to rescue
them.

Pictures of an explosion in Serian, Sarawak

An explosions that shook the city of Serian.

4. You have been appointed as Head of Safety and Health Dept. at Wrexham LPG Bottling Plant,
your teams had identified unconfined vapour cloud explosion (UVCE) as a major hazard of
the plant. Recommend your prevention and protection methods to this hazard.

5. State the definition of BLEVE? Explain the steps taken for a BLEVE to occur.

6. Compare the differences between detonation and deflagration.

7. Describe two methods that are commonly used in process industries to prevent fire.

8. You have been appointed as Head of Safety and Health Dept. at Chester University.
Figure 1 is floor layout of one of the academic building at Chester University. Recommend
the quantity various types of fire extinguisher should be place along the corridor for the
protection and prevention against fire.
 CKB 30103 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Tutorial 2 Explosion

Figure 1

9. Figure 2 is EXCELL HOLDING NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING LAYOUT.

a. Determine the types and quantity of fire extinguisher required along the corridor
for the EXCELL HOLDING NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.
b. State the reason for selecting of each type of fire extinguisher at certain location.
 CKB 30103 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Tutorial 2 Explosion

Figure 2