Storage Tank Fire Accidents

Storage tank fires often occur together with explosion causing major losses. Fifty storage tank fires occurring during the past 50 years in China are reviewed in this article. The results show that over 64% accidents occur in petrochemical plants, petroleum refineries and oil depots. The majority of fires resulted in explosions, i.e., 82% resulted in explosions. The fire disaster occurred mostly during maintenance, repair, and loading or unloading. Twenty-seven percent of the accidents are due to human errors including operations and maintenance. This article identified the major operating, maintenance, and management problems that resulted in storage tank accidents. (C) 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 30: 291-293, 2011