Bulk Bitumen Storage Tank Construction Guidelines

The information and recommendations in these guidelines are given in good faith and belief in their accuracy at the time of publication, but does not imply any legal liability or responsibility by the Refined Bitumen Association. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 require employers to provide safe systems of work to ensure the safety of their employees and the public. Health and Safety Law imposes duties on both the supplier and the customer to provide safe systems of work. These guidelines are intended to help both parties comply with their respective responsibilities during the transfer, handling, and storing of hot bitumen at hot mix asphalt manufacturing plants, and are not intended to vary the legal responsibility of either party. PURPOSE These guidelines provide hot mix asphalt manufacturing plant Owners/Operators information to aid in designing, fabricating and erecting new hot bitumen storage tanks at their facilities. SCOPE These guidelines are applicable for above-ground atmospheric-pressure hot bitumen bitumen storage tanks that have a maximum design temperature of 260°C (500°F) . The stored product is heated petroleum-derived bitumen products with Open Cup Flash Points above 163°C (325°F), such as penetration grades, oxidised grades and polymer modified bitumen. These guidelines are not applicable for other bitumen products with lower Open Cup Flash Points, such as emulsions and cut-back bitumens. Transferring, handling, and storing hot bitumen expose plant operators and hauliers to inherent hazards:

• Thermal burns.

• Froth-overs and boil-overs due to contamination by water or lower boiling point hydrocarbons.

• Formation and release of hydrogen sulphide.

• Formation and release of hydrocarbon fumes.

• Formation of flammable vapours.

• Creation of ignition sources - pyrophoric deposits, hot surfaces, sparks and open flames.

• Falls from elevated work surfaces.