Hazardous Heat - Review of the radinat heat flux hazard criterion used for establishing safety zones around LNG and other hydrocarbon fires

摘要

THE HAZARD FROM A FIRE, over a hydrocarbon liquid (pool fire) or the burning of dispersed vapor mixed with air (vapor fire) to people and objects outside the fire, arises from heat radiated by the fire ("thermal radiation"). Different levels of hazards result depending upon the level of the incident radiant heat flux or intensity (indicated in units of kW/m2 or Btu/hr ft2), the area of exposure, the duration of exposure, and in the case of humans, the percent of body covered by clothing and the evasive actions taken. Hazard to people manifests in the form of skin burn or, in extreme cases, fatality. Wooden structures exhibit charring, ignition, or complete burning when subjected to high levels of thermal radiation flux.