Methodology for the quantification of toxic dispersions originated in warehouse fires and its application to the QRA in Catalonia (Spain)

Abstract

A tool for the quantification of the consequences of toxic dispersions coming from fires in warehouses has been developed. This tool is expected to be applied in the framework of the risk assessment in Catalonia, specifically in the Quantitative Risk Assessment. The present study is based on the criteria gathered in the technical guide BEVI 3.2 and the methodology CPR-15 used in the Netherlands. Hence, the approach performed accepts the main body of the foresaid methodology but implements a different and free source dispersion model, a modified Gaussian model that takes into account the warehouse effect. In the work conducted, a historical analysis of accidents involving fire in warehouses has been performed in order to justify the importance of assessing their potential toxic dispersions. Furthermore, the tool has been tested in different case studies providing results that have been compared with other methodologies, observing similar results that can be useful for the stakeholders and decision makers in the framework of the risk assessment