GUIDELINES FOR
Investigating Chemical Process Incidents Second Edition
Center for Chemical Process Safety
of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers
3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5991
Copyright © 2003 American Institute of Chemical Engineers 3 Park Avenue New York, New York 10016-5991 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of the copyright owner. AIChE™and CCPS® are trademarks owned by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. These trademarks may not be used without the prior express written consent of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. The use of this product in whole or in part for commercial use is prohibited without prior express written consent of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. To obtain appropriate license and permission for such use contact Scott Berger, 212-591-7237,
[email protected] Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Guidelines for investigating chemical process incidents.— 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8169-0897-4 1. Chemical plants—Safety measures. I. American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Center for Chemical Process Safety. TP155.5.G775 2003 660’.2804—dc21
2003009470
It is sincerely hoped that the information presented in this document will lead to an even more impressive safety record for the entire industry; however, neither the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, its consultants, CCPS Technical Steering Committee and Subcommittee members, their employers, their employers’ officers and directors, nor AntiEntropics, Inc. .and its employees warrant or represent, expressly or by implication, the correctness or accuracy of the content of the information presented in this document. As between (1) American Institute of Chemical Engineers, its consultants, CCPS Technical Steering Committee and Subcommittee members, their employers, their employers’ officers and directors, and AntiEntropics, Inc. and its employees, and (2) the user of this document, the user accepts any legal liability or responsibility whatsoever for the consequence of its use or misuse.
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Preface
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) has helped chemical plants, petrochemical plants, and refineries address the issues of process safety and loss control for over 30 years. Through its ties with process designers, plant constructors, facility operators, safety professionals, and academia, the AIChE has enhanced communication and fostered improvement in the high safety standards of the industry. AIChE’s publications and symposia have become an information resource for the chemical engineering profession on the causes of incidents and the means of prevention. The Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), a directorate of AIChE, was established in 1985 to develop and disseminate technical information for use in the prevention of major chemical accidents. CCPS is supported by a diverse group of industrial sponsors in the chemical process industry and related industries who provide the necessary funding and professional guidance for its projects. The CCPS Technical Steering Committee and the technical subcommittees oversee individual projects selected by the CCPS. Professional representatives from sponsoring companies staff the subcommittees and a mem