Domino Effects in the Process Industries discusses state-of-the-art theories, conceptual models, insights and practical issues surrounding large-scale knock-on accidents—so-called domino effects—in the chemical and process industries. The book treats such extremely low-frequency phenomena from a technological perspective, studying possible causes and introducing several approaches to assess and control the risks of these scenarios. The authors also examine these events from a managerial viewpoint, discussing single and multi-plant management insights and requirements to take pro-active measures to prevent such events. Academics, regulators, and industrialists who study and analyze domino effects in order to prevent such events will find the book unique and highly valuable. - Outlines available methods in analyzing these events, aiding understanding of the accidents and their causes - Covers current modelling, control and management tactics of domino effects, -facilitating prevention - Identifies areas where new research is needed

Dynamic Risk Assessment and Management of Domino Effects and Cascading Events in the Process Industry provides insights into emerging and state-of-the-art methods for the dynamic assessment of risk and safety barrier performance in the framework of domino effect risk management. The book presents methods and tools to manage the risk of cascading events involving the chemical and process industry. It is an ideal reference for both safety and security managers, industrial risk stakeholders, scientists and practitioners. In addition, laymen may find the state-of-the-art methods concerning domino effects (large-scale accidents) and how to prevent their propagation an interesting topic of study. - Includes dynamic hazard and risk assessment methods - Presents methods for safety barrier performance assessment - Addresses the effect of harsh environment on domino risk assessment - Relates physical security in relation to domino effects - Includes innovative methods and tools

Nowadays the application of decision support systems (DSSs) in process safety is more important than ever. The use of DSS for preventing domino effects is one of the diverse applications of these computer-automated toolkits. Different software packages were developed in recent years, each trying to manage domino risk by a specific approach. In this chapter, the definition, architecture, benefits and essential characteristics of DSS toolkits are described. The application, scope, approach, technical features, advantages, shortcomings and limitations of all the available computerized tools and software packages presented up to now for managing domino effect are then discussed and analyzed thoroughly. Finally, a framework for an integrated DSS to prevent domino effects based on all existing advancements and potential possibilities for improvement is introduced.

Escalation thresholds are widely used as a baseline approach to the assessment of the hazard posed by domino scenarios. These should be intended as conservative values of physical effects (thermal radiation, maximum overpressure, etc.) below which the escalation is deemed not credible. This chapter deals with this preliminary approach to domino hazard assessment, revising the values provided in the literature for escalation thresholds and providing suggested values based on recent results obtained in the revision of past accident data and in the modeling of equipment damage.

Risk-based design has an important role in the inherent prevention of domino effect, limiting the possibility of escalation by both physical distances between units and introduction of robust safety barriers. In this chapter, the role of design in reducing domino hazard has been explored. Layout definition was identified as a key factor for the prevention of escalation. Threshold values for escalation to be used in design activities were defined. Thus, criteria for the assessment of appropriate safety distances were developed and implemented in layout design. The integration of different strategies in accident mitigation was identified as the key in achieving safer plants with respect to domino accidents. Since conceptual tools alone frequently fail in solving the tradeoffs related to the conflicting needs in the design improvement, inherent safety metrics were introduced to support design activities.

The analysis of domino escalation scenarios is a complex task. The use of advanced distributed parameter models may provide a significant contribution to domino effect escalation assessment. Nevertheless, this approach requires a detailed description of equipment geometry and the characterization of the primary scenarios leading to the escalation. This chapter is aimed at presenting the potentialities of the distributed parameters codes for the specific assessment of domino accidents triggered by fire and overpressure by the analysis of specific case studies.

The diverse historical surveys on accidents involving domino effect have been analyzed to identify their significance and their most important features. From these data, the importance of domino effect among all accidents in the process industry and in the transportation of hazardous materials has been highlighted. The characteristics of this type of accidents have been studied with a statistical approach: origin and causes of domino effect, materials most frequently involved and effects and consequences of accidents. The significance of the diverse domino sequences have been assessed by using the relative probability event tree. Finally, four relevant cases have been discussed, corresponding to the following initiating events: two vapor cloud explosions (Buncefield, 2005 and Naples, 1985), one jet fire (Valero, 2007) and one accident associated with dust explosion.