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FIRE SAFETY => Fire Risk Assessments => Topic started by: Stobswellpond on April 22, 2021, 08:32:07 AM

Title: Bunding of Adblue
Post by: Stobswellpond on April 22, 2021, 08:32:07 AM
I am currently carrying out a FRA for a farm, and looking at a large secure fertiliser store which would normally hold a maximum of 16 tonnes of fertiliser containing Ammonium Nitrate. As the fertiliser store is the only secure shed on site, it is also used to store an IBC of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) the synthetic urea used to add to the tractors existing exhaust system which assists in the breakdown of harmful NOx. This DEF is commonly known as AdBlue. I have also noted a article in the Farmers Guardian (link below), which suggests that Adblue should be bunded. Can anyone shed some light on why a synthetic urea should be bunded?
I am also contacting Yara for some advice.

https://www.fginsight.com/news/storing-and-handling-adblue-correctly-what-farmers-need-to-know-66270

Title: Re: Bunding of Adblue
Post by: AnthonyB on April 22, 2021, 07:35:02 PM
Fire safety is just one reason for bunding, in this case it's environmental.

Urea is polluting to groundwater and watercourse areas and there have been several serious pollution incidents from spillages already in the UK.

Both the Environment Agency, SEPA and the APEA encourage the use of a bunded tank and/or secondary containment for both bulk and containerised AdBlue storage
Title: Re: Bunding of Adblue
Post by: Dinnertime Dave on April 22, 2021, 10:06:42 PM
The FRA should be looking at the general fire precautions. Storage and use should be addresses via H&S assessments including the need to address DSEAR.

Title: Re: Bunding of Adblue
Post by: Fire Monkey on June 15, 2021, 09:58:19 AM
Hi,

Is it OK to store an oxidizing agent (fertiliser) in the same area as flammables? I seem to remember a large explosion in a port in the Middle East recently. 
Title: Re: Bunding of Adblue
Post by: Stobswellpond on June 29, 2022, 08:19:01 PM
The FRA should be looking at the general fire precautions. Storage and use should be addresses via H&S assessments including the need to address DSEAR.

Dave thank you for your response. I was trying to locate all the hazards in order that I can 'inform' the FRA.
Yes agreed that these items should come under DSEAR and COSHH however in other buildings there are 2500 chemicals, some oxidisers, flammable and highly flammable, and they company has no record of there location and quantities, 7 types of gas, and the same problems and the icing on the cake is a large LPG storage cage sitting on top of the vents of a district heating system.
So we have non compliance in fire, COSHH, DSEAR and asbestos...the list goes on!!