Seismic Assessment: Heres Whats Shaking Kathleen Mitchell Olweny - - PDF document

1 Prepared By: Kathleen Mitchell May 9, 2018

Seismic Assessment: Here’s What’s Shaking

Kathleen Mitchell Olweny & Associates

Key Topics

• Regulatory Requirements
• Key Program Elements
• Seismic Safety Inspection Checklists
• Model Seismic Safety Practices
• Common Seismic Deficiencies

2 Prepared By: Kathleen Mitchell May 9, 2018

Why Seismic Assessments?

• Seismic Assessments are required by OSHA, EPA, and

California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP).

• Seismic Assessment Objectives
• Reduce the likelihood of releasing significant quantities of

regulated hazardous substances in an earthquake.

• Assess the seismic vulnerability of the process equipment

and piping that contain the regulated substance, including their support structures.

• Issue recommendations for correction of any seismic

deficiencies that are established.

Facilities Required to have Seismic Assessments

• Any business that has more than a specified threshold quantity
• f a regulated substance present at the facility.
• Typical facilities include cold storage facilities, power

production plants, water & wastewater treatment facilities, gas producers, and chemical plating shops.

• Common regulated substances include ammonia, chlorine,

sulfur dioxide, various hydro‐carbons like butane and propane, and fumigants.

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Key Program Elements

• Determine the equipment in each covered process requiring

evaluation and generate a list of critical equipment and support structures.

• Review previous seismic evaluations (especially 5 yr updates)

to determine current compliance, and layout a strategy for field inspection.

• Perform a systematic inspection walkdown of the equipment

to look for potential seismic vulnerabilities.

Key Program Elements Continued

• Establish site specific seismic hazards including seismic

ground motion (seismic accelerations), liquefaction, landslides, and ground surface fault rupture.

• Perform engineering evaluations as necessary.
• Design upgrades or issue recommendations/repairs for

deficiencies.

• Generate and issue an assessment report.
• Certification by administering agency

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Key Program Elements

Other Local Emergency Planning Committee Regions

 Walkdown  Checklist Documentation  Evaluation by a Qualified Individual

Equipment Inspection Checklists

Inspection Focuses on:

• Anchor bolts – missing, loose, corroded, size
• Welds – corroded, cracked, size
• Saddles – corrosion, size
• Seismic bracing – sufficient, corrosion
• Foundation – concrete damage
• Seismic clearance/flexibility
• Proximity to adjacent structures
• Impact threat from adjacent non‐critical equipment

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Example of Well‐Anchored Equipment

Cylinders are secured to skid with anchoring straps. The skid is bolted to the concrete pad.

Example of Well‐Anchored Equipment

Anchor bolts for Receiver are present, adequate and in good condition.

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Evaporator has vertical and lateral support.

Example of Well‐Anchored Equipment Example of Well‐Anchored Equipment

Vessel well‐secured to support frame. Support frame bolted to floor.

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Common Equipment Deficiencies

• Anchoring corrosion
• Vessel support shows cracking or corrosion
• Lateral support bracing needed
• Anchor bolts ‐

missing or undersized

Vessel has a missing anchor bolt. Support of Chiller and raised platform supporting Evaporative Condenser shows signs of corrosion.

Example of Equipment Deficiency

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Support foundation has sizable crack.

Example of Equipment Deficiency Example of Equipment Deficiency

Vessels require lateral support or bracing.

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Examples of Equipment Deficiency

Vessels supported on hangers are subject to

• sideway. Lateral bracing

is recommended.

Example of Equipment Deficiency

Poor support system for this tank.

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Piping/Hoses Inspection Checklists

Inspection Focuses on:

• Excessive corrosion
• Large unsupported spans
• Short rigid spans
• Possibilities of excessive seismic anchor movement
• Inadequate supports
• Condition of fittings
• Damage to pipe supports

Piping well‐secured to pipe‐

• support. Piping, U‐bolts and pipe‐

support are in good condition.

Example of Well‐Anchored Piping

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Piping supported by hanger has lateral support as well.

Example of Well‐Anchored Piping Example of Well‐Anchored Piping

Long span of piping is secured well to supports. U‐bolts are placed at a reasonable distance apart. Supports are secured well to the roof.

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Common Piping Deficiencies

• Long stretches of piping with no lateral or vertical support
• Pipe‐supports or pipeways require lateral support.
• Pipe‐supports rest unanchored.
• Piping or supports show

signs of corrosion. Base of pipe‐support shows severe corrosion.

Examples of Piping Deficiencies

Piping requires pipe‐clamps to secure it to supports. Hanging pipe‐supports are prone to sidesway and require lateral bracing.

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Example of Piping Deficiency

Piping requires more permanent means of support. Pipe‐support requires anchoring.

Example of Piping Deficiency

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Example of Piping Deficiency

Pipe clamp required to secure piping to support frame. Long span of unsecured piping requires pipe‐clamps.

Example of Piping Deficiency

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Seismic Hazards Assessment

• Local seismic faults
• Liquefaction & settlement
• Landslide potential
• Tsunamis and seiches

Seismic Assessment Report Destination

• One copy remains at the facility inside the

Risk Management Plan binder.

• One copy is included in Risk Management Plan binder

submitted to local CUPA and EPA as required.

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After Seismic Assessment

• Review the seismic report.
• Follow‐up with recommended action items.
• Perform regular maintenance to protect against corrosion

and deterioration.

• Have seismic assessment performed every 5 years.

More Information on Seismic Assessments

• Guidance for California Accidental Release Prevention

(CalARP) Program Seismic Assessments; CalARP Program Seismic Guidance Committee, December 2013; Approved by Region I Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), March 12, 2014

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Contact Information

• Olweny & Associates

eolweny@olwenyassociates.com (310) 733‐7141

• Kathleen Mitchell

kmitchell@olwenyassociates.com (714) 356‐1625