How to Keep Your Terminal Safe From Lightning Fires

Tank Storage Magazine explores the latest lightning protection and mitigation techniques for tank storage facilities Hazardous facilities such as petrochemical terminals and oil and gas facilities can experience grave consequences if struck by lightning. This natural phenomenon is random, which means protecting against lightning can be difficult. While high points and tank roofs are at risk, strikes may also hit random locations on the open ground. This means some small ground-level tanks or pipework at tank terminals may also be susceptible to a lightning strike. ‘Reports indicate that more than 30% of external floating roof tanks (EFRTs) fires are caused by lightning,’ says Chris Smithwick, marketing director at Lytech Technologies. More specifically, it is estimated that 95% of rim-seal fires are the result of lightning strikes. Lighting protection is covered under the National Fire Protection Association standard, NFPA 780 in the USA (see the box for details). TANK FIRES If lightning should strike a terminal, the consequences could cause a fire. This requires the following: presence of combustible and/or flammable vapours; oxygen presence or/and an ignition source. If...