PWSRCAC--Fire Protection Systems at VMT

Project Manager
Tom Kuckertz

907.834.5050
PO Box 3089
Valdez, AK 99686

Fire Protection Systems at the VMT

Fire protection systems are tested at the terminal on a regular basis-PWSRCAC photo

Protecting the Valdez Marine Terminal from fire could prevent environmental damage such as heavy air pollution and/or spilled oil reaching the waters of Port Valdez. Proper function and maintenance of VMT fire suppression systems are essential to avoid the likelihood of a catastrophic event.

The most recent fire safety review (in 2006) by council consultants found the following:

Extension of the tank inspection schedule to 20 years presented no significant fire issues; however, periodic external inspection of roof sheets was recommended

Mixer motors on the crude oil storage tanks are in use and being properly protected from falling snow

Appropriate procedures for flushing the foam spiders (structures inside oil storage tanks that dispense fire-retardant foam) are in existence and are being properly used

Concern for maintaining the gravity separation tanks skimmers in the presence of explosive vapors is well justified (In 2003, PWSRCAC became aware that large quantities of oil had been accumulating in the three large gravity separation tanks of the Ballast Water Treatment Facility. During normal operations, oil skimmed from these tanks is then sent to an oil recovery system and reloaded as cargo. Because it was assumed that the gravity separation tanks would contain mainly water or no more than one-foot of floating oil in any one tank, fire protection systems were never installed in these tanks. Accumulations allegedly as deep as seven feet in one of the tanks existed when the problem became widely known.)

Turnover in Alyeska’s fire fighting personnel has been greatly reduced

Training of Alyeska and Valdez Fire Department personnel has noticeably improved

Emergency planning by the Valdez Fire Department is consistent and appropriate to the hazards and conditions that might be expected

Emergency equipment has been upgraded substantially

Electrical classification of the East Metering facility is Class 1 Div 1 and a minor non-compliance issue is being resolved

Valdez Fire Department is appropriately trained and equipped to provide mutual aid to Alyeska’s fire brigade

Fixed fire systems including the foam system at East Metering are in effective operational condition and have been well maintained

Council staff inspect the results of a fire system foam test at the terminal--PWSRCAC photo

Fire Safety Reviews and Reports

2006
A fire safety review of terminal facilities for 2006 focused on proposed extension of storage tank inspection schedule; fire team readiness, training, emergency preparedness, and staffing; east metering electrical classification requirements in the vicinity of the pig trap; an assessment of the Valdez (City) Fire Department “mutual aid” capability; and an assessment of the current adequacy and readiness of fire fighting equipment.
2006 Fire Report, Alyeska Terminal, August 2006, by Loss Control Associates Inc. (pdf/1.2MB)

2002-2004
Fire consultants reviewed the status of fire protection systems, equipment, and fire fighting/emergency response capability. During the visit, emphasis was given to the review of plan and procedures for controlling paraffin wax accumulations in Ballast Water Treatment Tanks 92-94, as well as foam system modifications at the metering facilities.
Fire Safety Review, Loss Control Associates, Inc. October 28-31, 2002. (pdf/5.3MB)

In response to a State Fire Marshal directive in 2003 to become compliant with code, Alyeska designed and installed oelophillic skimmer systems in the gravity separation tanks. Eductor-based foam system upgrades were installed at East and West Meters, and both were successfully tested in 2004. In early 2004, as part of its proposed Strategic Reconfiguration, Alyeska invited one of the council’s fire protection consultants to participate in an assessment of risk associated with installing and operating floating roof systems under the fixed-roof crude oil storage tanks.
Risk assessment status report (pdf/83KB)

2001
Adequate foam coverage and performance of prototype foam generation equipment was demonstrated at the Alyeska metering facilities. Significant progress was made and a number of programs and projects were initiated to correct maintenance and operation problems. Procurement was initiated for new protective clothing, fire fighting equipment, and fire trucks. This major progress was a positive reinforcement of Alyeska's recognition of the priority for effective fire protection measures at the VMT.
Fire Safety Update Review of the Alyeska Valdez Marine Terminal June 2001. O.M. Slye, Tony Semenza. (pdf/28KB)