A survey of the origin, type and consequences of fire accidents in process plants and in the transportation of hazardous materials

Abstract

A survey has been made of the accidents involving fire contained in the MHIDAS database. Of all the accidents that occurred up to the end of 1993, 41.5% (2283) involved fire. These fire accidents occurred in process plants (28%), transport (27%), storage plants (21%) and loading/unloading (7%). The type of accident is studied, as well as its effects on the population (number of deaths or people injured). The accumulated frequency-fatality curve is plotted; the line follows approximately a straight line, with a slope of -0.91. Finally, some conclusions are derived about the severity of fire accidents and the importance of increasing safety in the future. © Institution of Chemical Engineers.