Loading and Unloading Facilities | Safety Considerations for Plant Layout Levels
Truck Loading Racks
Truck loading racks for flammable and combustible liquids should be located near the plant gates to avoid truck traffic near process areas. They should be spaced from other plant facilities as specified in Tables 1-A and 2-A. LP-gas truck loading racks should be spaced 75 m from process equipment, at least 45 m
from other types of truck loading racks, 60 m from atmospheric or pressure storage tanks, and 150 m from administration buildings.
11.2 Tank Car Loading Racks
Tank car loading racks for flammable and combustible liquids should be located to avoid road blockage when spotting rail cars, ensuring passage for fire trucks or other service vehicles at all times. Loading racks handling low-flash material should be spaced at least 60 m from process equipment handling
hydrocarbons. Racks should be located so that locomotives do not traverse within 15 m of process unit battery limits or tank storage. LP-gas tank car loading racks should be spaced 75 m from process equipment and all tank storage and at least 30 m from other types of tank car loading racks.
11.3 Petroleum Piers and Wharves
Wharves handling flammable liquids should be spaced a minimum of 60 m from process unit equipment handling hydrocarbons. Wharves should be spaced at least 75 m from fired heaters or other continuously exposed sources of ignition. Wharves handling LP-gas should be spaced at least 75 m from other refinery
facilities and from wharves handling flammable liquids.
11.4 Drainage, Bonding and Grounding
A drainage system shall be provided to permit spills to be flushed and drained away from loading racks to a safe location without entering a public sewer system. Prevention of electrostatic ignitions is covered in detail in APR RP 2003. Bonding of the fill system to the truck is necessary to ensure that equipment is at the same electrical potential to prevent sparking. Foam may be used at flammable liquid loading racks to blanket large spills and to prevent ignition until cleanup can be accomplished.