10                HAZARD TO LIFE

 

10.1          Introduction

 

10.1.1      This section provides an account on the safety measures to be observed during operation of the New Crematorium.  Reference had been made on Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG), EIAO-TM Annexes 4 and 22, Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Cap. 295) and Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulations.

 

10.2          Potential Hazard of the Project

 

10.2.1      Under the proposed plans provided by Arch SD, the New Crematorium would include a total of three (3) diesel fuel  tanks and one (1) Dangerous Goods (DG) store (Category 3/4 Dangerous Goods under the DGO).  Potential hazard may arise during operation of the New Crematorium, when diesel is stored at fuel tanks (such as fire hazards); as well as from the DG store where chemicals will be stored (such as health hazards, fire hazards etc).  No addition hazard is anticipated during the transitional stage between the operation of Existing Crematorium and commissioning of New Crematorium.

 

10.2.2      Diesel will be used as fuel for cremators in the New Crematorium.  According to the current design layout of the New Crematorium, which is provided in Figures 2.2 to 2.5, a total of three fuel tanks would be installed and are listed below:

 

·             One underground fuel tank with capacity of 30,000 L, located at the eastern side of absorption chiller (see Figure 2.3)

·             One daily service fuel tank for cremators, located east of the radiators with capacity of 2,000 L (see Figure 2.4)

·             One fuel tank (with capacity of 2,000 L) for emergency generator next to the emergency generator room (see Figure 2.3)

 

10.2.3      The DG store in the New Crematorium will be located next to the control room (see Figure 2.3).  Chemicals likely to be stored in the DG store include lime (to be used to neutralise acidic pollutants in cremators emissions) as well as 30% open-berth furnace coke or activated carbon (for removing pollutants such as dioxin in cremators emissions).  These chemicals will be stored separately.

 

10.2.4      Safety measures and design for these fuel tanks and DG store are presented below.

 

10.3          Recommended Safety Measures

 

Fuel Tanks Design

 

10.3.1      The total design capacity (34,000 L) of the fuel tanks in New Crematorium is larger than that in Existing Crematorium (9,000 L).  However, the total capacity in New Crematorium is substantially lower than the threshold of 10,000 tones or approximately 12,000,000 L, which is considered as potential hazardous installations under the HKPSG.  To avoid potential hazards to nearby uses,  the underground fuel tank will be at least more than 300 mm from the nearest wall of any basement, pit or property line, and will be at least 4.25 m from any parking space.  Protected lobby and mechanical ventilation system shall be provided for the fuel tank room on G/F.  The purpose of increasing the capacity of the fuel tanks is to reduce the frequency of refilling from once per 10 days in the Existing Crematorium to once per month in the New Crematorium.  With less frequent refilling, the associated potential hazards and disturbance to normal operation can be significantly reduced.

 

10.3.2      In addition, the following safety provisions are included in the fuel tank designs of the New Crematorium:

 

Underground Fuel Tank for Cremators (30,000 L)

 

Ÿ             The underground fuel tank will be buried underground in concrete chamber with vent pipe (vent pipe outlet will be at a level about 4 m above ground)

Daily Service Fuel Tank for Cremators and Fuel Tank for Emergency Generator (2,000 L each)

 

Ÿ             For generator, vent pipe with outlet will be at a distance of 1.5 m from other air intake louvers and public access

Ÿ             For cremators installation, the daily services fuel tank will be located at roof top

Ÿ             Door louvers equipped with electro-thermal link will be provided at the fuel tank room (with door sill) for natural ventilation

Ÿ             Fire services installations including heat detection system, auto-spray unit and sand buckets will be provided for genset room

Ÿ             Quick closing mechanism (fuel shut off valve) will be installed outside the fuel tank room of generator to cut the diesel supply in case of fire at fuel tank room /generator room

 

Fuel Storage and Transportation

 

10.3.3      The storage, transportation and handling of diesel fuel is under the control of DGO (Cap 295) and compliance with the DGO requirements should be ensured.  Diesel leaks from the diesel fuel tanks or pipework systems may seep into the ground and enter chambers such as tunnels, drains and sewers. The undetected build-up of diesel in a confined space will create a fire hazard.  The following safety measures should be observed around the diesel storage tanks during operation of the New Crematorium:

 

·             Inventory check should be conducted by staff regularly to identify any signs of fuel leakage

 

·             Regular visual inspections to detect any early signs of fuel spillage

 

·             Precautionary exercises, including fire drills, should be regularly undertaken to enhance staff capability to handle emergencies

 

DG Storage

 

10.3.4      The design of DG store and its operation must comply with the requirements set in Cap 295.  Precautionary measures mentioned below should also be followed, when relevant chemical is stored at the dangerous goods storage:

 

Handling and Labeling

 

·             Obtain details for the handling, storage and control of impurities and spills from supplier or manufacturer (e.g. MSDS(1)).

 

·             Obtain details of the chemical composition of the substances, and correct treatment with eyes, skin, ingestion, etc from the supplier or manufacturer (usually available in a MSDS)

 

·             Ensure the correct and complete labelling and classification of chemical substances and guidelines are adopted (see Labour Department’s reference booklet on “Labelling and Classification of Dangerous Substances Commonly used in Industry”)

 

·             Ensure that the information is up to date, provided to the relevant staff, and easily accessible in case of emergency in accordance with the site safety guidelines

 

·             Register dates (receiving date, manufacturing date, expiry date, shelf life whereas applicable) and quantities of all purchases on receipt to minimise surplus and spoilt orders

 

Containers for Storage of Chemicals and Dangerous Goods (DGs)

 

10.3.5      The following practices shall be followed in ensuring the use of suitable containers for chemicals.

 

·             Designed to minimise spills

·             Ensure container is appropriate for its contents, resistant to corrosions, maintained in good conditions and securely closed

·             Provide proper labelling

 

Storage Requirements

 

10.3.6      The following practices shall be followed in ensuring suitable storage (including temporary store for goods to be delivered) and transportation of chemicals and  DGs.

 

·             No smoking in storage areas

·             No naked light and no heating equipment shall be used in any store.

·             No electrical equipment shall be used or installed in any store other than equipment of a type approved by the Authority.

·             There shall be at all times conspicuously displayed outside any store a notice, in English and Chinese, prohibiting smoking and the use of naked light

·             Segregate chemical substances to prevent reaction and contamination

·             Use proper racks, storage bins and shelves to contain leaks

·             Storage areas must be locked to prevent unauthorised access, clearly labelled and solely for the storage (except for the temporary store for goods to be delivered) of chemicals/dangerous goods

·             Adequate ventilation in storage areas as necessary

·             Provide appropriate equipment and manpower to avoid the likelihood of spillage

·             DGs must be stored in the designated stores and the storage quantities must be within limits

·             All containers shall be kept upright to minimise the likelihood of spillage

 

Handling and Spill Prevention

 

10.3.7      The following practices shall be followed in ensuring suitable handling and spill prevention of chemicals and dangerous goods:

 

·             Follow the safety instructions provided by site management and chemical label

·             Do not misuse or interfere with safety equipment or appliance provided

·             Do not smoke, eat or drink in any place where chemical substances / DGs are stored or used

 

10.4          Conclusion

 

10.4.1      With the safety design features of the fuel tanks and the safety / precautionary measures implemented by the New Crematorium, the hazard level should be kept to minimal.