RR1188: Jet fire mathematical modelling for failure of pipelines carrying flammable substances:
Part 2) Model Performance
Major accident hazard pipelines transport hazardous fluids, such as natural gas, that have the potential to harm people in the vicinity in the event of a release from a pipeline failure. Major accident hazard pipelines are defined under the Pipelines Safety Regulations (1996). Dutyholders must implement effective control measures to prevent pipeline failure. Land-use planning law is an important extra precaution to limit the potential risk to the public. HSE is a statutory consultee for proposed land-use developments. HSE sets land-use planning zones and provides advice to local planning authorities on proposed developments within these zones. HSE uses a quantified risk assessment (QRA) approach as part of its decision making. The QRA uses mathematical models of potential hazards and their consequences. HSE has an ongoing research programme to assess the suitability of these models.
A jet fire is one of the potential hazards for releases from pipelines transporting flammable substances. This report and RR1187 (2022) describe research on the suitability of jet fire mathematical models for use by HSE to estimate the physical dimensions of potential fires. RR1187 describes a literature review. This report describes a comparison of jet fire dimensions from various models identified in the literature review, as well as those used by HSE, with published experimental data. The researchers identify that a potential option is to use one model for jet fires that are associated with fireballs and another model for other jet fires. These findings are being used to inform assessment of the suitability of the jet fire models that HSE currently (2022) uses and whether updates would be beneficial. The report will be of interest to specialists in risk modelling for major hazards.
This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive. Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
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