1. EXPLOSIONS
FDY 493
Jim Cleary

2. EXPLOSIONS Overview: What is an explosion? What can fuel an explosion?
Explosion effects
Protection from explosions
Case studies

3. EXPLOSIONS What is an explosion? Rapid combustion in a confined space
Requires fuel, oxidizer and ignition source
Rapid combustion causes container to rupture

4. EXPLOSIONS What can fuel an explosion? Flammable liquid vapours
Chemical explosives
Flammable gases

5. EXPLOSIONS Explosion effects Fireball Ignition of nearby combustibles
Pressure wave
Damage to building and equipment
Injuries or fatalities
Shrapnel
Same as for pressure wave

6. EXPLOSIONS Protection from explosions Explosion venting – most common
Must be done in accordance with NFPA 68
Explosion suppression
Very expensive

7. EXPLOSIONS Protection from explosions Containment
Requires very strong vessels
Inerting
Common for chemical reactor protection

8. EXPLOSIONS
Case studies
Pepcon
Oppau
Texas City
Port Chicago
Halifax

9. EXPLOSIONS Class work: Research the case studies noted above
Wikipedia has fairly good articles on all of them
Review the requirements of Chapter 5 of NFPA 68
Note well the formula for calculating how much explosion vent area is required
NFPA 68 is available electronically in MySeneca from the library
Do the self-test located in MySeneca

10. EXPLOSIONS Discussion
I’ll be available to do an online chat to discuss the material on the web page and in this presentation
Go to MySeneca, then Communication, then Collaboration, then April 25 Virtual Classroom (click ‘join’).