PESO issues safety advisory for storage, management of Ammonium Nitrate
| Date :11-Sep-2020 |
Staff Reporter :
In the wake of powerful devastating explosion that occurred at Beirut in Lebanon in the first week of August where large consignment of Ammonium Nitrate was stored for many years without proper precaution, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur has issued a safety advisory for storage, handling and management of Ammonium Nitrate in the country. PESO advised all the licence holders to undertake safety precautions to avoid such incident in the country.
According to PESO, The major problem arises with the prolonged storage of Ammonium Nitrate are hygroscopicity and phase changes leading to break down of the prill and caking of the product. Being strong oxidising agent, it can facilitate the initiation of fire and assist the combustion of materials contaminated with oil, rags, wooden articles, clothing’s etc. Hot Ammonium Nitrate melt can initiate fire on contact with such materials.
Ammonium Nitrate is a potentially an explosive substance comprising the oxidising nitrate ion in intimate contact with the fuel element. Small amount of contaminants are sufficient to act as a catalyst explaining the unpredictability of Ammonium Nitrate under fire conditions. The risk of explosion is decreased by reducing the potential sources for the Ammonium Nitrate such as heat, fire, contamination, confinement. If all such potential sources are eliminated, the chance of accidental explosion is remote.
Guidelines for Safe Storage of Ammonium Nitrate
Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources.
Prevent hot spots and thermal decomposition, the average temperature of Ammonium Nitrate shall not exceed 54.440 Celsius.
Keep the surrounding (15 meters) of the storehouse clean, free from dry grass, bush vegetation which can communicate fire inside.
Smoking and naked lights inside the storehouse are not permitted.
Old stock of Ammonium Nitrate shall be consumed first.
Ammonium Nitrate shall not be stored with any other material irrespective of its compatibility or incompatibility.
Avoid contamination due to corrosive and reactive properties of Ammonium Nitrate – bins of galvanised iron, copper, cadmium, chromium, lead and zinc shall not be used for storage.
The storehouse shall have adequate ventilation or be capable of adequate ventilation in case of fire.
Avoid compression/confinement of Ammonium Nitrate which is more likely to explode.
The movement of vehicles, carrying Ammonium Nitrate (bags) inside the storehouse shall be restricted.
Battery operated vehicles shall not be used inside the storehouse.
Round the clock security shall be provided to the storehouse to restrict the entry of unauthorised persons.
The shed shall be maintained in good condition by regular cleaning to avoid contamination.
All the provisions of Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012 and conditions of licence shall be strictly complied.