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API RP 2003 Document Information:
Title
Protection Against Ignitions Arising out of Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents
American Petroleum Institute
Publication Date:
Jan 1, 2008
Scope:
This recommended practice presents the current state of
knowledge and technology in the fields of static electricity,
lightning, and stray currents applicable to the prevention of
hydrocarbon ignition in the petroleum industry and is based on both
scientific research and practical experience. Furthermore, the
principles discussed in this recommended practice are applicable to
other operations where ignitable liquids and gases are handled.
Their use should lead to improved safety practices and evaluations
of existing installations and procedures. When the narrow limits of
static electricity ignition are properly understood, fire
investigators should be encouraged to search more diligently for
the true ignition sources in instances where static ignition is
unlikely or impossible.
This recommended practice is not required under the following
conditions:
a) Static discharges may occur, but flammable vapors are always
excluded by gas freeing or inerting the atmosphere in the area of
discharge.
b) Product handling occurs in a closed system, and oxygen in
that system is always below the minimum concentration required to
support combustion, such as in the handling of liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG).
c) The flammable concentration is always above the upper
flammable limit (UFL).
This document does not address electrostatic hazards relating to
solids handling. (See [4], [5], and [15] in the bibliography.)
Vehicle fueling (truck or passenger car) is also outside the scope
of this document.
Concept of Hazard vs. Risk
Hazards are situations or properties of materials with the
inherent ability to cause harm. Flammability, toxicity,
corrosivity, stored electrical, chemical or mechanical energy all
are hazards associated with various industrial materials or
situations. Charge separation and the accumulation of a static
charge are inherent properties of low conductivity hydrocarbon
fluids.
Risk requires exposure. A hot surface or material can cause
thermal skin burns or a corrosive acid can cause chemical skin
burns, but these can occur only if there is contact exposure to
skin. An accumulated static charge can be a source of ignition only
if exposed to a flammable fuel-air mixture under conditions where a
discharge is possible. There is no risk when there is no potential
for exposure to all the required elements of charge accumulation,
flammable mixture and spark discharge.
Determining the level of risk involves estimating the
probability and severity of exposure events that could lead to
harm, and the resulting consequences. While the preceding examples
relate hazards to the risk to people, the same principles are valid
for evaluating risks to people, property or the environment. For
instance, hydrocarbon vapors in a flammable mixture with air can
ignite if exposed to a source of ignition (such as a static
discharge) resulting in a fire which could injure people or damage
property.
Units of Measurement
Values for measurements used in this document are generally
provided in both U.S. customary and SI (metric) units. To avoid
implying a level of precision greater than intended, the second
cited value may be rounded to a more appropriate number. Where
specific code or test criteria are involved, an exact mathematical
conversion is used. Some conversions are included in Annex D.
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