Buncefield: 20 Years On

Ulf Hinterscheid looks at what has changed in the tank storage industry since the Buncefield disaster The Buncefield tank farm fire, which occurred on 11 December 2005 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, is one of the largest industrial fires in British history and marked a pivotal moment in the regulation and safety practices of the tank storage industry. As we approach the 20th anniversary of the disaster, it is vital to examine the changes that have taken place in the industry since then, as well as the areas that still need improvement. Before diving into the post-Buncefield changes, it’s important to briefly reflect the events of that fateful morning. At around 6:00 am, an enormous explosion rocked the Hertfordshire oil storage terminal, causing extensive damage to the facility, nearby buildings, and the surrounding area. The explosion, which was heard as far as 125 miles away, led to the release of 300,000 litres of fuel. It set off a fire that lasted for several days, engulfing 20 large fuel storage tanks. While there were no fatalities, 43 people were injured, some seriously, and about 2,000 people were evacuated. At the peak of incident response more than 180...