The safety and well-being of personnel is considered a top priority in the chemical production and processing industries. With few options available to provide suitable protection from toxic gas releases during emergencies, it is important to make the most appropriate decisions based on facility size, hazards, operating staff numbers and other critical contributing factors. “Non-builtfor- purpose” structures are often used as muster points during an emergency; however, generally these solutions do not result in acceptable levels of leak-tightness for long-duration occupancy during a hazardous gas release. Upgrading existing infrastructure can often be prohibitive and can sometimes cost more than new construction. When faced with these potential outcomes, operators often search for a cost-effective and safe alternative such as a portable safe haven.
In 2008, a major ammonia producer contacted MineARC to supply portable safe havens for its nitrogen and phosphate divisions located across the U.S. The units needed to comply with its corporate guideline for supplying effective safe haven solutions for personnel in case of an emergency. MineARC was selected due to its extensive experience in supplying emergency refuge to the mining and tunneling industries. As a result, the MineARC ChemSAFE Safe Haven was developed.
After nine years of refinements, ChemSAFE is now well established in the chemical processing industry. Inside a ChemSAFE Safe Haven, a number of vital life-support systems combine to create a safe, ongoing environment for occupants during a toxic chemical release, explosion or other hazardous emergency scenarios.
Through careful analysis of a site and its potential hazards, MineARC’s global team of engineers can design a highly customized safe haven to meet specific requirements. Engineers are on hand throughout the entire process to ensure the best possible solution is delivered for every project.
During a recent project for Chemours, MineARC performed a site visit to its Maitland facility to examine a series of potential locations for a safe haven. Following this, MineARC delivered a tailored report and recommended that a ChemSAFE Utility Design would be an appropriate solution for Chemours’ emergency response procedure. Confident portable safe havens were a better and more cost-efficient option than converting existing on-site rooms, Chemours Maitland purchased two 26-person ChemSAFE Utility Design Safe Havens.
Another company MineARC has partnered with in recent times is INVISTA, whose guiding principles place a strong emphasis on the health and safety of its employees. By request, each ChemSAFE Standard Design Safe Haven at INVISTA La Porte features an external vestibule fitted directly to existing office buildings. This ensures an airtight access point for facility personnel to move safely between on-site buildings and the safe haven during an emergency.
In both cases, Chemours and INVISTA elected to utilize ChemSAFE Safe Havens as opposed to upgrading permanent facilities. The cost for both clients was significantly less, with protection far greater than the conversion of a regular building. With the option to integrate a range of life-support functions such as blast resistance, positive pressure flushing systems, gas scrubbing and remote monitoring, MineARC remains at the forefront of the latest safe haven technology, continuing to create new partnerships with companies that take the safety of their employees seriously.
For more information, visit www.Chemsafeshelters.com or call (214) 337-5100. •
