Safety assessment for methanol storage in the building

Fire hazard characteristics

 It is noted that methanol is flammable substance, as flash point is less than ambient
temperature between 11 to 12 deg. C. Hence, hazardous area classification should be applied
 The fluid category of methanol is “C” (fluid category C , means temperature above flash point
will form a flammable mist)
 Methanol storage room should be classified as Zone 1 due to restricted ventilation

Blast Resistance requirement

Blast protection is based on the manning level within an enclosure. Objective is to protect the personnel
inside the room. In our case, methanol storage room is not normally manned at all the time, hence blast
requirement is not required.

Probability of blast overpressure exposure of personnel inside the methanol storage room is very remote,
due to coincidence of personnel inside the methanol storage room at the time of loss of containment
from process equipment leading to explosion due to delayed ignition.

Fire resistance requirement:

Fire rating generally provided to protect critical assets and limit the spread of fire from one to another.
Fire rating has to be considered for building storing methanol to limit the spread of fire Since methanol
is a flammable substance,