Dear Sir,
After my last email, I have followed it up by contacting Fornax. I was kindly contacted by Fornax for an independent site visit to establish what safety measures have been put in place in order to run the site safely once in operation.
Based on my background, having worked in various COMAH environments, I asked how the risks are controlled and I was advised that a preliminary HAZOP study has been carried out. This HAZOP study has to be fully reviewed before starting up the plant. Based on the back of this, a LOPA study has to be conducted which, in turn, will trigger a SIL study 1 to 4, which, in turn, will trigger a SIF study. This means the level of controls the business needs to put in place in order to run the site.
The business has got a CEMS in place. This means Continuous Emission Monitoring System. The business has been pro-active by installing a system to monitor the current environment before it goes into operation, so a basic footprint is established before the plant goes live.
Whilst visiting the plant, I was informed about the level of protection the business has put in place. I was really impressed with the level of fire suppression put in place in the storage facility. Never ever seen this level of protection in my life before. Bearing in mind having worked on various COMAH sites.
I have also been advised as regards their drainage facilities. All of it is captured below ground level since the fire brigade will not attend site until it is safe.
This is all I can say to local residents, who are ‘worried’ about the local alarm at 10.45 every Thursday and considering you have another COMAH site. Not only that, local residents have to realise that local spray firms cause more hazard to life.
Fret Nieborg, School Aycliffe.