Explosion protection

Explosion protection is utilized to protect all sorts of buildings and civil engineering infrastructure against internal and external explosions or deflagrations. It was widely believedcite book|title= Structural Design for Physical Security|author=Task Committee|date=1999|publisher=ASCE|isbn=0784404577] until recently that a building subject to an explosive attack had a chance to remain standing only if it possessed some extraordinary resistive capacity. This belief rested on the assumption that the specific impulse or the time integral of pressure, which is a dominant characteristic of the blast load, is fully beyond our control.

Techniques of explosion protection

Avoidance

"Avoidance" will make it impossible for an explosion or deflagration to occur, for instance by means of consistent displacement of the O₂ necessary for an explosion or deflagration to take place, by means of padding gas (f. i. CO₂ or N₂), or, by means of keeping the concentration of flammable content of an atmosphere consistently below or above the explosive limit, or, by means of consistent elimination of ignition sources.

Constructional Explosion protection

Constructional explosion protection aims at pre-defined, limited or zero damage that results from applied protective techniques [ [http://www.ecs.csun.edu/~shustov/Blast_Control.htm Blast Control] ] in combination with reinforcement of the equipment or structures that must be expected to become subject to internal explosion pressure and flying debris or external violent impact [ [http://wtc.nist.gov Draft final reports on World Trade Center] ] . Thus, a dispensable system called "Sails-Rigging Blast Protective Structural Shield" includes sails, pilasters and riggings [ [http://www.seaint.org/seaocconvention/convention1999/Proceedings/BP_Shield.pdf Sails-Rigging Blast Protective Structural Shield, SEAINT] ] .

In some instances, explosion protection techniques are similar to those of earthquake engineering [ [http://www.ecs.csun.edu/~shustov/Earthquake_Engineering_Directory.html Earthquake Engineering Directory] ] and wind engineering [ [http://www.ecs.csun.edu/~shustov/Wind_Engineering_Directory.html Wind Engineering Directory] ] .

Explosion Protection Method Selection

The Technology of Protection [ [http://www.hendersonindustrial.com/explo_main.htm Explosion Protection Techniques] ] can range in price dramatically but where the type of device is rational to use, would typically be from least to most expensive solutions: explosion doors and vents (dependent on quantities and common denominators, either may end up the wise price choice); inerting: explosion suppression; isolation – or combinations of same. To focus on the most cost effective, doors typically have lower release pressure capabilities; are not susceptible to fatigue failures or subject to changing release pressures with changes in temperature, as “rupture membrane” type are; capable of leak tight service; service temperatures of up to 2,000°F; and can be more cost effective in small quantities. Rupture membrane type vents can provide a leak tight seal more readily in most cases; have a relatively broad tolerance on their release pressure and are more readily incorporated into systems with discharge ducts.

There are several fundamental considerations in the review of a system handling potentially explosive dusts, gases or a mixture of the two. Dependent upon the design basis being used, often National Fire Protection Association Guideline 68, the definition of these may vary somewhat. To facilitate providing the reader with an appreciation of the issues rather than a design primer, the following have been limited to the major ones only.

ee also

*Explosion pressure
*pressure relief valve
*Explosives safety
*explosion vent
*Prestressed structure

References