By:

Kanupriya Sharma
Management Trainee
IMC Limited
OISD 161:1993
RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATION
INVOLVING
TANK TRUCK ACCIDENT CARRYING
LPG

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Due to phenomenal growth in consumption and consequent transportation
of LPG by road tankers to LPG Bottling Plants spread all over India the
number of road accidents involving LPG tankers has risen sharply.
Presently the oil industry is having unwritten understanding of extending
mutual help to each other as and when accidents take place. IIt has been
experienced that at the field level at times the roles and responsibilities
are not clearly defined. The local authorities are also not having a clear
understanding on the actions to be taken for the public safety at times.
This procedure prepared by the industry members under the guidance of
OISD, has formalised a guide for handling LPG tank truck road accidents,
so as to mobilise the necessary help within minimum response time.


Copies of this LPG Road Tanker Disaster Management plan shall be
made available by the Industry to:
1. Each tank truck (TT) with translation in the vernacular language.
2. To all LPG tank truck owners.
3. To all the field locations i.e. LPG Bottling Plants, Depots, POL
Terminals/Installations, Despatch units of ONGC/GAIL etc.
4. Through State Govt. to all the District Administration, Police Stations
and Fire Brigades enroute and within vicinity of specified LPG tank truck
routes.
5. And to others, viz., Sales personnel of concerned area as may be
required.

2.0 SCOPE

This document provides an outline of guidelines for handling
emergencies arising out of LPG road accidents. The individual
location incharges, based on these guidelines should identify
necessary resource within their limits so as to handle such
accidents promptly. These guidelines can be modified to reflect
local conditions as well as the capabilities of the response team.
Interaction with local authorities, law enforcing agencies, fire
brigade and other oil companies is must to familiarise all
concerned and to ensure their co-operation and willingness
which would be most needed to handle such emergencies.

3.0 DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN-BULK LPG
TANK TRUCK (TT) ROAD ACCIDENT AS AND
WHEN ANY ACCIDENT TAKE PLACE.

3.1 INFORMATION
3.1.1 In case the TT crew is in position to act, driver/cleaner shall inform nearest
Bottling Plant and in the event unable to contact Bottling Plant on phone, (as per
phone nos. list attached) to contact nearest Depot/Terminal of any oil co. The
driver/cleaner shall also inform nearest police post and Fire Brigade.
3.1.2 In case, no phone facility is available in the near vicinity, driver/cleaner shall send
the message through any other means such as any other truck, TT or through any other
volunteer to the nearest Bottling Plant, Police Post and Fire Brigade, Petrol pump, Oil
Installation of any Oil Co. (All petrol pumps, Oil Installations, Fire Brigade & Police
Station shall be provided with telephone nos. of the nearest LPG Bottling Plant and the
same shall be displayed).
3.1.3 In case the message is received first by Police Post or Fire Brigade or
Depot/Installation of any Co., they shall inform the nearest Bottling Plant of any
company.

3.1.4 While conveying the information to LPG Bottling Plant by
Driver/Cleaner, Fire Brigade, Police Post, Depot./Installation as may
be the case, the following information shall be collected and relayed:

a) Location of accident milestone no., Highway No., nearest village, and
any other easily identifiable landmark.
b) Registration No.of TT, name of the Transporter.
c) TT empty or full and the quantity.
d) Proceeding from/onway to.
e) Date and time of accident.
f) Any casualty or injury.
g) Any leakage or fire.
h) Position of TT after the accident on road.
I) Safety Precautions taken.
j) Help required (crane, transfer of product, mechanical, towing of
vehicle, fire tender, fire fighting equipment etc.)
However, to minimize the delay whatever information is readily available
shall be quickly relayed even though the above information would be
desirable.

3.2 ACTION PLAN

3.2.1 Initiation of immediate action:
I) On receipt of information by the LPG Bottling Plant, Bottling Plant
shall convey information using quickest mode of communication such
as phone, telex, FAX etc. to following agencies/persons:
a) to Police Station or Police headquarter.
b) to District Administration.
c) to Fire Station.
d) Chief Controller of Explosives / Zonal Controller of Explosives
e) to the Transporter (as per the directory of the Transporters address)
f) to Zonal/Region and Head Office of the owning Company of the product.
g) Oil Industry Safety Directorate
ii) Simultaneously, the LPG Bottling Plant shall organise rescue
operation and make Contingency Plan as per situation demand. The
LPG Bottling Plant shall also detail 2/3 Tts and depressurise to the
maximum extent.
After assessing the situation, a rescue team considering of 1-2
Officers, 2-3 Operators and maintenance crew by quickest means shall
be rushed to the site along with 2-3 empty depressurised Tank Trucks.
The rescue team shall carry equipments as identified and as per
referred identification and mobilisation plan including communication
facilities like telephone etc. Wherever oil industry has positioned
Emergency Response Vehicles (ERV), the same shall be requisitioned
for carrying out rescue operations.
Oil Industry Sales personnel of the concerned area will also get
associated with rescue team to provide assistance through local
agencies on receipt of information.
3.3 SCENARIO AND DISASTER HANDLING

3.3.1 SCENARIOS
I) On reaching the site, the rescue team will assess the situation and
lias with the Plant Manager on any further help required from any
agency. The Rescue team shall classify the accident in the following
category:
a) Resulting only in injury/casualty to any other road user.
b) Resulting in head-on collision, side hit and dashing against any other
fixed object and no damage to bullet or any fittings.
c) Accident resulting in tank truck falling off the road with damage to
bullet, fittings with or without leakage and requiring evacuation of product.
d) Toppling of tank truck, rupture of liquid line and LPG leak with or
without tank truck engulfed in fire.
e) Total loss due to vapour cloud explosion, injuries, fatalities and
damages to the surrounding areas.
While the Rescue team shall carry out only survey in situation (a) and
(b) and assess damage to bullet, in case of situations (c), (d) and (e),
Rescue team will guide the complete operation till the tank truck is
evacuated, depressurised and degassed either at site or at LPG
Bottling Plant.
ii) The Rescue team shall take utmost care in tackling the situation and
will not take undue risk and shall guide professional fire fighting people
of the Fire Brigade/Industry.


3.3.2 Disaster Handling. (A) ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY/CASUALTY
TO ANY OTHER ROAD USER.
In the event, the above information is available, LPG Bottling Plant need not
depute the Rescue team to the site of accident. However, the concerned
authorities (Highway Patrol Police) should complete their required formalities
and inform the nearest LPG Bottling Plant. LPG Bottling Plant in-turn will
arrange to inspect the TT and advise whether the TT can proceed to its
destination safely. LPG Bottling Plant will also decide whether any repair could
be undertaken by the Transporter without emptying out the tank truck or
whether tank truck needs to be evacuated/degassed which should be done at
the LPG Bottling Plant. Any casualty to be left as it is till such time police
arrive.


3.3.2 (B) ACCIDENT RESULTING IN HEAD-ON COLLISION, SIDE HIT,
DASHING AGAINST ANY OTHER FIXED OBJECT AND NO DAMAGE TO
BULLET OR ANY FITTING.
On getting the information, Rescue team will proceed to the accident site. On
reaching the site, the Rescue team shall take the following action:
a) Survey the vehicle and list out the damages.
b) Assess the situation whether tank truck can be towed to the nearest LPG
Bottling Plant after mechanical repairs.
c) List out all precautions and advise the driver/Police for the steps to be taken
while towing the vehicle to the LPG Bottling Plant if it can be timed.
d) Tank truck should be unloaded at the LPG Bottling Plant immediately after
reaching and shall be released only after it has been made gas free.
In case the mechanical condition of tank truck is not stable, it should be
evacuated in line with the procedure stipulated in subsequent scenario.

3.3.2 (C) ACCIDENT RESULTING IN TANK TRUCK FALLING OFF
THE ROAD WITH DAMAGE TO BULLET, FITTING WITH OR WITHOUT
LEAKAGE AND REQUIRING EVACUATION OF THE PRODUCT

WITH NO LEAKAGE
The following steps should be taken:
a) Survey the vehicle, bullet, all fittings & assess the extent of damage.
b) Assess whether the anchoring of bullet to the chassis is damaged or
intact and whether the bullet can be lifted with or without chassis.
c) In case of filled tank truck, assess whether liquid and vapour nozzles
are accessible for making hose connection.


d) Assess whether cranes (one or two) capable of lifting the tank truck with load
are available for putting the tank truck on wheels or tank truck can be dragged by
monkey wrench to the road. If cranes of required capacity are not available, no
attempt should be made for lifting the filled tank truck and tank truck should be
emptied before putting it back on wheels.

e) If tank cannot be towed safely after putting in upright position to a LPG Bottling
Plant, the product should be transshipped to another tank truck in the following
manner:
i ) Connect depressurised tanklorry brought from the LPG Bottling Plant.
ii) Make temporary earthing connection with some electric pole or with iron rod
driven in the earth upto sufficient depth.
iii) Slowly open the valves of accident affected tank truck and the depressurised
tank truck ensuring that Excess Flow Check Valves does not close.


iv) If the flow rate is not sufficient which is to be observed by checking
rotogauge, connect depressurised tank truck to the vapour nozzle of the
accident affected tank truck.
v) After the flow rate slows down or stops, connect another depressurised
tank tank truck till such time the product to the maximum extent is
transferred.
vi) Check the level of liquid in the accident affected tank truck by
rotogauge, vapour valve or differential skin temperature.
vii) If it is necessary and site condition makes it feasible, depressurise the
tank of remaining vapour through controlled discharge from vapour
discharge valve after taking all precautions. In such a case when venting
is inevitable, take following action before commencing the venting
operation:

- Cordon off the area upto the radius of 300 m.
- Divert vehicular traffic from the highway.
- Inform Railway authorities if the accident site is in the vicinity of
railway tracks, to suspend all rail movement.
- Get the power supply to the area cut off.
- Extinguish/take care of all sources of ignition especially in the
downwind direction (viz. smoking, cooking, industrial furnaces, open
fire etc.)
- Closely monitor the level of concentration of LPG vapours with the
help of Explosivemeter outside the cordoned off area to eliminate any
danger to public life & property.
WITH LEAKAGE

a) Warn people to stop all open fire, lantern, no smoking within the vicinity
of minimum 300 m.
b) Stop traffic on both sides of the road upto the above distances. Divert
traffic from all the roads approaching the site.
c) Check possibility of stopping leak by wetting the area of leakage with
gunny bags and water, plugging of safety relief valve using leak seal
pad, tightening of liquid and vapour valve, sample valve and by using
M-seal. The transshipment of product to empty vehicle be resorted to
as outlined in 3.3.2 (C) (e). In case leakage is profuse and cannot be
stopped, take following action:
I) All precautionary measures as outlined in 3.3.2 (C) (vii).
ii) No person should stay within the vapour cloud and within the vicinity in
the wind direction.
iii) On arrival of the Fire Brigade, the vapour cloud should be dispersed
toward unin-habitated area using wide angle spray till the entire product
has been vented out.
iv) Concentration of vapour shall be checked using Explosivemeter. Only
after all the vapours have cleared out from the leakage source, the
movement of traffic shall be allowed.
d) The other actions should be taken in consultation with professional
advise of experts in different fields.

3.3.2 (D) TOPPLING OF TANK TRUCK, RUPTURE OF LIQUID LINE AND
LPG TRUCK ENGULFED IN FIRE.
If the Rescue team/Fire Brigade/Police reaches the site of accident after
start of fire, the following action should be taken:
a) To cool the tank trucks, specially the area in contact with vapour and area
around dish-end by the Fire tender. No body to be allowed to move by the
side of either of the dish-ends of the tank trucks.
b) All people from the area within a radius of 1 km to be evacuated to safer
places.
c) To advise LPG Bottling Plant/District Administration to rush water tanker to
the site of accident.
d) To use narrow angle spray for cooling the bullet and extinguishing fire if the
source of leakage is small, otherwise, burning may be continued under
controlled condition as above.

e) If the fire from overturned LPG tank lorry envelopes the pressure vessel
and if it is not possible to arrange water for sustained cooling, the entire
area upto a radius of 1 km must be evacuated, much before water gets
exhausted. Fire fighters should also be prepared to escape and abandon
the vessel in such an event.
f) A control room will be set-up nearest to accident site with the help of
local administration for close liaison with all agencies.
g) Local Hospitals/Ambulances should be alerted to be ready to provide
medical aid to affected people, as the scenario may lead to an Unconfined
Vapour Cloud Explosion (UVCE)/BLEVE resulting in loss of public life and
property necessitating major rescue operation.

3.3.2 (E) LOSSES DUE TO UNCONFINED VAPOUR CLOUD
EXPLOSION/BLEVE RESULTING IN INJURIES, FATALITIES AND
DAMAGES TO THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
(Consider 18 tons LPG tank truck involved in the accident and entire
product has come out) There could be possibility of a situation when the
accident affected tank lorry might have released a large amount of LPG
through the damaged fittings and/or liquid/vapour manifolds. Since there
is a large inventory of LPG in the bullet, LPG would continue to leak
through these openings. In the case of delayed ignition, the released
LPG would form vapour cloud and disperse along the wind direction.
The vapour cloud will increase in its size and dilution of the cloud will be
occurring around the outer surface of the plume. Therefore, the vapour
cloud may either explode when it comes in contact with the source of
ignition or disperse safely.
In case, vapour cloud explodes there would be blast wave/shock wave
propagate resulting in damage as a function of distance. Followed by
explosion, there will be fire which would travel back to the affected tank
lorry.
Depending upon the nature of damage and type of release, the bullet
may be subjected to flame impingement which may subsequently lead
to BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion)
The computer models have been used to analyse the dispersion
characteristics of the released LPG for different wind velocities and the
damage due to blast/shock wave arising out of an explosion has been
computed accordingly.

It has been found that LPG vapour cloud could travel long distances
depending upon the wind velocity (2-5 m/s) and extent of leakage and
still remain within the flammable limits. In case of failure of 2 liquid
loading line, the LPG vapour cloud could travel as much as 360m. upto
which vapour will still exist within LEL.
In contact with a source of ignition, the unconfined vapour cloud may
explode resulting in fatalities and injuries which could be expected upto
a distance of about 320m. from the point of release.
In case of a BLEVE, involving the bullet, the damages due to incident
radiant fluxes resulting in fatalities and first degree burn could be
expected upto a distance of about 190m. and 290m. respectively.

3.4 RESCUE OPERATIONS
The action needed in such situation are as follows:
1.Remove the injured people to the nearest Hospital/Nursing Homes with the help
of local administration.
2. Arrange to provide first-aid treatment as necessary with the help of local
hospitals and voluntary agencies.
3. Provide food and shelter to the dislodged/affected people with the help of local
authorities and voluntary agencies.
4. To fight remaining fires, if any. and remove debris from the road to restore
normal vehicular traffic with the help of Fire Brigade/Police personnel. Police to
restore normalcy (law and order) in the area.
5. Provide electricity through grid/portable diesel generators with the help of local
electricity board/authorities.
For tackling emergencies arising out of various scenarios as detailed above,
individual LPG Bottling Plant shall formulate specific Disaster Control Plan
incorporating all the available resources with necessary contact numbers as given
in Annexures.

3.5 ROLE OF EXTERNAL AGENCIES

It is expected that the following roles will be performed by various agencies:

3.5.1 FIRE BRIGADE
On receipt of information from any source on accident of LPG tank truck, Fire
Brigade will contact nearest LPG Bottling Plant and Police Station. After
assessing the situation shall:
- Rush fire tender to the accident site with all necessary fire fighting equipment.
- Rush ambulance to the accident site if causalities are reported.
- Prepare a Contingency Plan for removal of tank truck, if not leaking.
- Dispersal of vapours by water spray away from inhabited area, in case of
leakage
.
Extinguish the fire, in case leakage source can be stopped.
- Allow the fire to burn under control condition till the entire quantity is
burnout, in case the leakage source cannot be stopped.
- Salvaging men and material from accident affected truck.
- Liaison with Fire Brigade in the adjoining town for additional help, if
necessary
- Arranging water through Municipal Water tanker or any other source.


3.5.2 ROLE OF POLICE
On receipt of information, Police will organise:
- Stoppage of traffic from both ends of the road.
- Warning to people living in adjacent area for stopping all fire, smoking,
evacuation to safe places, if necessary.
- Maintenance of Law and Order in the area.
Contacting nearest District Police Headquarter and giving the situation
report.
Assist Rescue Dept. and local Agencies evacuating people from the area
if so required.
Extending help in removal of injured personnel to the nearest first -aid
centre/ hospital, contacting highway patrol, completing legal
formalities in case of any causality
3.5.3 DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
- To keep watch on the overall situation.
- Direct/Requisition cranes or any other such equipment on behalf of Oil
Company, than may be needed for carrying out rescue operations.
- To issue warning messages to people through public address system if
any evacuation is required.
- To arrange emergency vehicles for evacuation purposes.
- To give direction to hospitals having burns injury ward for readiness to
receive patient in case of accident involving fire.

3.6.0 RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION/ MOBILISATION
Mobilisation of resources will depend upon the scenario of disaster and all
the locations are
required to identify the resources based on ultimate disaster.
It is recommended that the locations will identify the resources for ultimate
disaster which can take place within 200 kms of the radius of a LPG bottling
plant. The Chief Co-ordinator of the disaster would familiarise with all roads,
routes, industries, First-aid agencies and all the available infrastructure in case
of an eventuality.
The following resources should be identified for the disaster management:
In-plant resources
External resources
Communication resources
.
IN-PLANT RESOURCES
1.Gas Explosivemeter.
2. Flameproof torches
3. Portable DCP Fire Extinguishers
4. CAF gaskets.
5. Stud bolts.
6. Teflon tapes.
7. 1/2 crowbar (2 ft. long)
8. Earthing wire (10 m long) with crocodile clips
9. Gloves: Rubber gloves
Industrial gloves (with leather lining)
Canvas gloves
10. Spade/blind flange
11. 1 roll of gunny/hessian cloth (about 10 mts long)
12. Manila rope
13. Jute rope (sutli)
14. Spark arrestors.
15. 1 tapered wooden plugs.
16. Chopper

17. Spare fan belt for tank lorry with P.T.O. unit.
18. Wind sock.
19. First aid box (containing water jel compounds)
20. Soap
21. M-Seal
22. Blanket.
23. Water Jel Blanket
24. Wooden slippers
25. Breathing Apparatus (SCBA and Canister gas masks)
26. Fire proximity suit
27. LPG Hoses

28. Triple Purpose nozzle
29. Teflon-taped spanners, wrenches
30. Communication equipments - Megaphones.
31. Face shields
32. Ear muff/ear plugs
33. Barricading masts and ropes
34. Hand operated sirens
35. Whistles
36. Red lights (Battery operated) - for traffic diversion.
37. Area maps
38. Chain pulley blocks and stay pipes
39. Small valve keys for operating valves in the tank truck.


B) EXTERNAL RESOURCES
* Hospitals (*With clear identification to handle burn injuries).
Name Addresses Telephone Bed capacity
* Drug Stores (with medicines for burn injuries)
Name Addresses Telephone Nos.
* Availability of the Cranes
Name Addresses Number of Cranes and capacities
* District Administration Collector
Name Address Telephone No.
* Fire Station
Location Number of fire tender availability with capacity
Any big industries which can render assistance during disaster for fire fighting, providing ambulances, vehicles,
hospital assistance etc.
* Public Address system
Ambulance
* Local All India Radio / Doordarshan
Local PWD/CPWD for obtaining supplies of water, sand morum vehicles etc.
* Local Army, Navy, Air Force authorities - for tools, tackles, cranes, communication, medication, evacuation
etc.




C) IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNICATION RESOURCES
1. Police Station
Location
2. Petrol Pumps
Name & Address Operated by Telephone No
3. Railway Station
4. Power Houses
Location Key person to be contacted in case of disaster.
5. Civil authorities
Area Person/designation Contact Number
6. Voluntary Agencies
Name & Address Contact Nos.



Thank You