Hurricane preparedness plans for storage terminals

WITH hurricane season approaching, now is the time to develop a hurricane preparedness plan (HPP) to ensure the durability and functionality of exposed storage tank terminals. Developed by engineers, HPPs set forth specific action items designed to help storage tanks withstand the impacts of varying categories of hurricanes. Heavy rainfall and inland flooding, tornadoes, storm surge, tidal changes, and high winds can contribute to the failure of a storage tank. Careful forethought and mitigation can reduce the severity of all damage and adequately protect the integrity of a facility. [caption id="attachment_20787" align="aligncenter" width="912"] Sample inundation model[/caption] REFERENCES FOR AN HPP Various standards and guidance documents are used to evaluate storage tanks and provide recommendations for providing catastrophic failure. These include: • API 650: Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage; • API 653: Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction; • UL 142: Steel Aboveground Storage Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids; • ANSI /AISC 360-10: Specification for Steel Structural Steel Buildings; and • ASCE Standard 7-10:Minimum Design Loads for...