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  6. Constructive Fire and Explosion Safety for Gases

The Constructive Fire and Explosion Safety for Gases division investigates constructive measures to safeguard against fire and explosions in mobile and stationary facilities as well as in facility components and systems in which gases are used. To this end, the effectiveness and reliability of constructive safety mechanisms are tested on the BAM Test Site Technical Safety (BAM TTS), where tests are also performed for safety strategies to technical laboratory and original scales.

With the deployment of flammable gases, it is possible to identify both areas at risk of explosion and the potential effects of explosions on facilities or the environment. Examinations cover in particular “failure scenarios”, which allow important information to be derived for thorough hazard analyses to be performed. The aim is to establish an early estimate of the expected damage to infrastructure in the event of an incident and, if possible, to employ suitable safety mechanisms and strategies to eliminate or minimise the risk of such damage.

  • Fields of expertise

    • Constructive fire and explosion safety measures
    • Safety-related properties of gases in technical laboratory and original scales
    • Gas deflagrations and detonations in facilities and systems
    • Effects of explosions on facilities and environment
    • Pressure relief processes

  • Main activities

    • Investigation of explosion-resistant construction methods for systems and facilities
    • Deflagrations and detonations in pipelines
    • Constructive measures to reduce the impacts of explosions
    • Constructive measures to limit the propagation of explosions in pipelines
    • Safe use of (flammable) gases in mobile and stationary systems and plants
    • Effects of the ignition of explosive atmospheres arising after the release and spread of gases

  • Range of services/technical equipment

    • 5-channel gas mixing facilities for the preparation of explosive multi-component gas mixtures, maximum outflow volume 12 Nm³/h, maximum final mixture pressure 1 MPa
    • Pipelines with nominal widths of up to DN 300/500, rated pressure of up to PN 2000, and variable lengths of up to 44 metres, T-sections, elbows and reducers
    • Autoclaves with spatial volumes of 0.05 m³ to 5 m³ with different rated pressures, operating temperatures and L/D ratios, some with pressure relief mechanisms and mounted optical devices

  • Publications

    In the database PUBLICA you will find publications by BAM employees.

    Publications of the division Constructive Fire and Explosion Safety for Gases in PUBLICA

    PUBLICA

Dr. rer. nat. Kai Holtappels, Head of Division Constructive Fire and Explosion Safety for Gases, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)

Contact Dr. rer. nat. Kai Holtappels

Head of Division 2.4

Headquarters

Phone: +49 30 8104-1240

Email