Seveso (COMAH) Directive Major-Accident Hazard Consultancy
Site Assessment
The EC Control of Major-Accident Hazards Directive (the Seveso II Directive, also known as the CoMAH Directive) places special responsibilities on operators of sites that have major accident potential. It also requires that land-use planning take into account this potential.
Arup offers the following services to assist customers meet their obligations under the Seveso II Directive:
- Site selection (new Seveso establishments)
- Due diligence audits of location (new and expanded establishments)
- Notification of the site to the HSA
- Preparation and review of Major Accident Prevention Policy (MAPP)
- Incorporation of the MAPP into the Safety Management System for the site
- Identification of major-accident scenarios
- Modelling of consequences of major-accident scenarios
- Fault tree preparation
- Risk computation
- Preparation and review of Emergency Plans and Procedures
- Development and review of Safety Management System
- Identification of Safety Critical Items
- Preparation of Safety Report.
Arup Ireland uses the DNV Technica PHAST Professional suite of software to model the consequences of major accidents. Such potential accidents include fires, explosions and release of toxic gases and volatile liquids. The model predicts the behaviour of a release of material to the environment and the impact of the unfolding accident in terms of thermal radiation (heat) levels, explosion overpressure and concentration of gas/vapour. These are compared with appropriate benchmark criteria.
Arup Ireland also carries out Quantitative Risk Assessment by estimating the probability of major accidents using data banks or by means of fault trees. Risk contours are generated where appropriate.
Land Use Planning
Applications for planning permission for certain types of development within the specified "Consultation Distance" of a Seveso site must be referred by the planning authority to the HSA for technical advice, unless the HSA has already given generic advice in relation to the site. Seveso site Consultation Distances are specified in the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (SI No 600 of 2001).
Arup offers land use planning advice for both operators of Seveso facilities and developers seeking to build within the Consultation Distance of a Seveso site. Arup predicts the potential off-site onsequences of major accidents at Seveso sites using a software model. These impacts could relate to fire and explosion effects or the effects of the release of toxic materials.
For clients considering developments within specified distance of major-accident sites, and for planning authorities Arup provides assistance in the assessment of development potential.
