Building Design for Organic Peroxides

The design of an organic peroxide storage building depends on the quantity to be stored and local legislation. For large quantities we recommend a separate storage building.

The floor should be seamless, easy to clean and made from a non-combustible and non-absorbent material. A slight slope is recommended to direct liquids and allow for easier clean up.

  • Since organic peroxides normally flow on water.
    • To prevent a spread of the fire to other area’s, fire-fighting water (possibly with burning peroxide) should be directed from the inside of the storage building through an open gutter to an open basin. Another possibility is to direct the water (with peroxide) to a basin underneath the floor with provisions for emptying. The basin should have at least a capacity equal to the amount of peroxide stored.
    • Any drainage system should not be in direct contact with the site sewer system to allow for control of the peroxide. Local regulations should be observed with respect to containment of fire fighting water.
  • A storage building should have a proper lightning protection.
  • A painted building should have light colors to prevent heat absorption from sunlight.
  • Construction materials should be compatible with organic peroxides or coated to prevent contamination.
  • Ventilation openings (non-cooled volatile peroxides) should be covered with gratings and should be at least 0.5% of the floor area with a minimum of 0.01 m2.

Location

Storage buildings for organic peroxides should be located away from other buildings (office buildings, public roads, railways, etc.). No definite distances can be stated as general applicable. Distances depend on type and amount of peroxide and the available safety provisions in the storage building. Typical distances are 10 m for storage of 1 ton and 20 m for storage of 10 tons of peroxide when safety provisions are in place. Local regulations should be consulted.
 
Construction

Based on our vast experience with organic peroxides a storage building design should follow the below recommendations. The design is such that safety distances reach minimal dimensions.

  • Storage buildings or boxes should have only one story.
  • As a pressure release mechanism the building should have a venting capacity of 0.5 m2 per 1000 kg of organic peroxide. The emergency vent should be actuated at a pressure below the design pressure of the building. The roof, door(s) or wall panel can serve this function.
  • Doors should always be functional from inside the store.
  • Walls should be constructed of non-combustible materials and have a fire resistancy of at least 1 hour.
  • We recommend to install a system to prevent that the temperature in an ambient store can rise above 30°C (e.g. a water spray on the roof or a double-deck roof).
  • Install an effective fire-fighting system. We recommend an automatic system activated by melting bulbs (57°C).
  • Manual activation of the deluge system should always be possible.
  • All electrical fittings and other electrical equipment should be explosion proof.

For ambient storage buildings equipped with a heating system as well as for cold storage or organic peroxides we have additional requirements.

Please contact us to discuss how we can address your safety concerns and to learn more about organic peroxide temperature control, fire fighting and do's and don'ts.

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