Building design and selection for protection of critical assets

Abstract

Mission Critical Buildings (MCB) are buildings that must remain operational in the event of a crisis to minimize risks due to asset damage, business interruption, and personnel impact. MCBs in processing facilities face operational hazards including explosions, fragments, fires, and toxic events. In the CSB's investigation report of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery incident, a recommendation was included for the API to update its standard to “require protection of critical safeguards and associated control system components from fire and explosion hazards, including radiant heat and flying projectiles.” This recommendation, if implemented, would require facilities to ensure MCBs are Multi‐hazard Resistant Buildings (MRBs) able to withstand a range of potential impacts. This paper details the key design characteristics of MRBs to protect critical assets in industrial processing facilities such as critical safeguards and control systems; emergency response equipment; people critical to operations and emergency response; or people located in buildings near processing units. Key concepts of protective building design are introduced, including the response of different building materials to hazards common in processing facilities. These concepts are then examined to illustrate how building response translates to human and equipment vulnerability.