Hurricanes threaten chemical plants and refineries by causing equipment failures, chemical spills, fires and explosions — each with potentially catastrophic environmental and safety consequences.
An experienced industrial contractor can minimize downtime, enhance safety and ensure regulatory compliance by strengthening infrastructure and responding effectively to storm impacts.
How can TF Companies help?
TF Companies plays a vital role in helping industrial facilities and operations prepare for hurricane season. These facilities are especially vulnerable to hurricanes because of their intricate infrastructure, hazardous materials and coastal locations. Here are specific ways that TF Companies can assist:
Structural reinforcement and resilience: Civil, structural and concrete
Assess and reinforce buildings and structures. Before hurricane season, inspect foundations, roofs, walls and support structures. Identify weak points that may need concrete reinforcements, steel bracing or wind-resistant materials to withstand high winds and flooding.
Flood mitigation. Flooding is a major risk during a storm surge. Install or upgrade flood barriers around vulnerable areas. Elevating critical equipment on concrete pads prevents water damage, and improving drainage systems helps keep water out during heavy rainfall.
Secure storage tanks and vessels. Large tanks and vessels are vulnerable during high winds and floods. Anchor them securely with concrete foundations or retrofitted supports to ensure they remain operational throughout the storm.
Mechanical system strengthening: Pipefitting, boilermaking and welding
Piping system integrity. Inspect piping networks for signs of wear, corrosion or weak areas. Replace corroded sections and reinforce weak spots with welds. Secure pipes to prevent vibration or displacement caused by hurricane-force winds.
Pressure vessel maintenance. Boilers, reactors and pressure vessels need regular maintenance. Reinforce them with welding and install protective enclosures to safeguard them from debris and flooding, reducing storm-related damage.
Emergency shutoff systems. Test mechanical valves and fittings to ensure proper function in an emergency. Reliable shutoff systems minimize risks and protect the facility and surrounding environment during a storm.
I&E preparedness
Weatherproofing control systems. Seal instrumentation panels and sensors in waterproof enclosures. Elevate critical equipment above flood levels and install backup power supplies to maintain operations during power outages.
Power reliability. Upgrade electrical infrastructure with surge protectors and secure transformers. Test backup generators and ensure they have protected fuel supplies to maintain operations during power failure. Portable generators. Place portable generators at least 20 feet from doors or windows to prevent CO build up. Use heavyduty extension cords and never plug directly into wall outlets. Ensure CO detectors are functioning and protect generators from rain.
Protecting chemical plants and refineries from hurricane impact
Automation testing. Test and calibrate automated shutdown systems to ensure they function correctly during a hurricane, providing peace of mind in the event of an emergency.
Other site preparation
Scaffolding and housekeeping. Inspect scaffolding and remove unnecessary boards to prevent damage during high winds. Monitor the site closely during hurricane season, as cleanup and debris removal can be more challenging post-storm.
Securing equipment and temporary facilities. Secure equipment and temporary facilities that cannot be removed from the site. This prevents displacement or damage during the storm, reducing disruption to the project.
Pipeline fortification
Inspection and repair. Inspect both aboveground and underground pipelines for corrosion, leaks or weak joints. Perform necessary repairs or upgrades to ensure the pipeline’s integrity during the storm season. Storm proofing. Shield exposed pipelines by burying them or installing protective supports to prevent shifting. Apply protective coatings to prevent saltwater corrosion, especially in coastal areas.
Leak prevention. Install leak detection systems and reinforce pipeline connections to minimize spill risks during high winds or flooding.
Pre-hurricane preparation and planning
Site audits. Collaborate with plant management to conduct comprehensive risk assessments and identify systems requiring fortification or redundancy. This proactive approach ensures critical infrastructure remains functional during a storm.
Temporary protections. Install temporary bracing, sandbags or shutters to safeguard equipment and structures. These measures act as a first line of defense against the storm.
Emergency response support. Have skilled crews on standby, including welders, electricians and pipefitters, ready for rapid repairs or shutdowns. This support helps minimize downtime and limits the impact of storm damage.
Post-hurricane recovery
Damage assessment and repair. Deploy teams quickly to assess and repair damage to structural, piping, electrical and instrumentation systems. Timely repairs minimize downtime and ensure operations resume smoothly.
Debris removal and cleanup. Clear debris and rebuild damaged concrete foundations or supports. This restores the site to a safe condition for future operations.
System recommissioning. Bring mechanical and electrical systems back online safely. Test pipelines and instrumentation to ensure integrity and readiness for operations, minimizing risks moving forward.
Other hurricane preparation considerations for plant management
During the construction phase, it’s important to identify equipment that requires secure anchoring and perform wind calculations to determine necessary reinforcements. Cranes should be checked to ensure their booms can be retracted or boomed down during a hurricane, and sufficient space must be left for this emergency procedure. It’s also essential to determine which personnel are critical during a hurricane, making sure they understand their roles and have access to necessary provisions like food, water and shelter.
Familiarity with the site’s hurricane plan is essential, and working with TF Companies can help ensure that appropriate strategies are in place, as these plans may vary depending on the strength of the hurricane. Additionally, establish clear evacuation procedures and designate safe locations where personnel can go in the event of a storm.
For more information, visit tf-companies.com or call (866) 468-6832.
