G.S. 84
RESTRICTED
- 3
XCR (79)113
The close proximity of the proposed site to the Hong Kong Electric's power station on Ap Lei Chau is also a cause of concern for fear that an accident affecting either or the two installations might adversely affect the other. Accidents in Hong Kong arising from gas leakage from gasholders are also recalled. Alternative sites at other localities are also proposed.
Safety Aspects
6
The proposed installation involves the building of a gasholder and ancillary facilities solely for the storage and distribution of town gas. There will be no manufacturing process carried out on site. (Manufacturing of town gas will continue to be carried out in the Company's production plant at Ma Tau Kok). The proposed installation will therefore not produce obnoxious smell or cause aerial or waterborne pollution as envisaged by the objectors.
7
The proposed gasholder will be a watersealed holder which is the only type in current use in Hong Kong. With this type of holder, the section containing the gas moves up or down in a steel tank filled with water when the gas is admitted or withdrawn. There is no danger of explosion since the holder will only contain gas which cannot burn or explode without air. Furthermore, the holder will operate at a very low pressure of about half a pound per square inch in order to eliminate the possibility of explosion due to pressure.
8
The Director of Fire Services is satisfied that the safety requirements regarding design and installation of gasholders embodied in the Gasholders Examination Ordinance are sufficient to safeguard against any repetition of the 1934 explosion at Smithfield, which was caused by a structural collapse of the holder. The probability of damage to the gasholder allowing the escape of large quantity of its content to cause a serious fire is considered to be extremely remote.
9
In the unlikely event of leakage, the escaped gas will quickly diffuse upwards and disperse into the atmosphere as town gas is much lighter than air. The chances of it catching fire are remote because the mixture of gas escaping into the air is too lean to sustain combustion. Since no smoking or naked lights are allowed in the immediate vicinity, the danger of ignition is slight. However, even if the escaping gas took fire, it is unlikely that flashback or ignition of the contents of the gasholder would occur because the gas within the holder cannot be ignited without forming into a combustible
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.