Hazardous areas classification for in flammable liquid storage tanks

Abstract

Many chemical plants use flammable liquids as raw materials or produce flammable liquids. In both cases, the flammable medium will most likely need to be stored. One option is to use storage tanks. Currently, in Hungary, the fire and explosion protection requirements for upright cylindrical steeltanks are laid down in MSZ 9910-2:1993 and for horizontal cylindrical steeltanks in MSZ 9909-3:1998, supplemented by the MSZ 15633 series of standards. These standards have not changed in the last 30 years and have not followed the innovations in the field, unlike NFPA 497:2021; NFPA 59A:2023; API RP 505:2018; Area Classification Code for Installations Handling Flammable Fluids Part 15:2005 (IP 15); Health and Safety Executive (HSE) HSG 176 Storage of flammable liquid in tanks, 2^nd edition:2015 and EIC 60079-10-1:2008. The aim of this study is to compare the conclusions of these standards and to propose a new standard that could be applied in Hungary.