Risk Assessment of an Existing School to the Effects from an LPG Vapor Cloud Explosion
Abstract
This work had two objectives, the first of which was to assess the risk of injury to humans at an existing school facility from the effects of the accidental explosion of a distant, unconfined LPG vapor cloud. The second objective was to recommend ways of reducing the risk of human injury to acceptable levels. Potential injury from the explosion effects was investigated for the case when the overpressure acts directly to cause injury and for the case where facility failure is the direct cause of injury. The effects of an enhancing atmosphere, such as inversion layer that could trap blast energy near the ground, were considered. The risks to humans when the explosion effects act directly on persons included ear damage, lung damage, skull fracture and whole-body impacts, skin burns, and eye-retinal burns. The resistance of structural components of the school facility to the blast overpressure were investigated including structural systems, window glass, doors, and upset/failure of building contents. Risk mitigation measures were recommended for strengthening specific structural and nonstructural building component.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 29, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA531526
Entities
People
- Carl F. Bagge
- Ray W. Anderson