Re: PRIORITY--Ethanol facility

Chief,

Here's what we have as of our site visit today:

 

1)  The pump system was evaluated and is performing as designed.  It will automatically shut off in the event of a ground failure or overflow alarm activation;

 

2)  The grounding system was reported to have been tested initially when installed but there is no supporting paperwork.  The grounding system was supposed to be  tested again after the asphalt surface was poured but that did not occur.  We have requested a ground test ASAP.  This will occur on a Saturday when they are not operating and can move all the railcars out of the facility.  They will provide us a date for the test;

 

3)  The actual capacity of the containment area is not on site.  They have made a few phone calls and we hope to have the actual capacity this afternoon.  However, we did a crude field calculation and estimate the holding area to contain approximately 36,475 gallons of fuel.  A survey of each rail car show a variable capacity between 30,010 and 30,280 gallons based on make and model of railcar.  So if our math is close, the containment area will hold one full railcar load of fuel and a little extra.

 

I will pass on more info as we get it today.

 

Bob

 

 

Robert B. Rodriguez
Chief Fire Marshal
Alexandria Fire Department / Code Enforcement
301 King Street, Room 4200
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Office  (703) 838-4360
Direct (703) 519-3300 ext. 118
Fax     (703) 838-3880
-----Adam Thiel/Alex wrote: -----

To: Robert Rodriguez/Alex@Alex
From: Adam Thiel/Alex
Date: 05/27/2008 10:06AM
Subject: Re: PRIORITY--Ethanol facility

Thanks, Bob!

Adam

Robert Rodriguez

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Robert Rodriguez
    Sent: 05/27/2008 09:56 AM EDT
    To: Adam Thiel
    Subject: Re: PRIORITY--Ethanol facility
I will send staff out this morning to get the info.

Robert B. Rodriguez
Chief Fire Marshal
Alexandria Fire Department / Code Enforcement
301 King Street, Room 4200
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Office  xxx-xxx-xxxx
Direct xxx-xxx-xxxx ext. 118
Fax     xxx-xxx-xxxx
Adam Thiel/Alex

Adam Thiel/Alex 05/27/2008 09:44 AM

To Robert Rodriguez/Alex@Alex cc John Catlett/Alex@Alex, Russell Furr/Alex@Alex Subject Re: PRIORITY--Ethanol facility

Bob:

We need the follow-up to occur right now, please...thanks!

Adam
____________________________________
Adam K. Thiel
Fire Chief
Alexandria Fire Department
900 Second Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx
Fax: xxx-xxx-xxxx
E-mail:
Robert Rodriguez/Alex

Robert Rodriguez/Alex 05/27/2008 09:37 AM

To Adam Thiel/Alex@Alex cc John Catlett/Alex@Alex, Russell Furr/Alex@Alex Subject Re: PRIORITY--Ethanol facility

Chief,

Just to clarify, our instruction was to conduct a survey and identify Fire Prevention issues.  As such we did not issue any Notices of Violation.  The facility does meet the current requirements of the IFC.  Staff requested the following additional items from NS:

• Requested documentation on capacity of secondary containment area;
• Requested grounding details for rail and tanker systems;
• Requested cut sheets and listing information for fuel transfer pump.

Staff is scheduled to follow up with NS next week.

Bob

Robert B. Rodriguez
Chief Fire Marshal
Alexandria Fire Department / Code Enforcement
301 King Street, Room 4200
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Office  xxx-xxx-xxxx
Direct xxx-xxx-xxxx ext. 118
Fax     xxx-xxx-xxxx
Adam Thiel/Alex

Adam Thiel/Alex   05/27/2008 09:25 AM

To Robert Rodriguez/Alex@Alex cc John Catlett/Alex@Alex, Russell Furr/Alex@Alex Subject PRIORITY--Ethanol facility

Sirs:

Could you please provide (ASAP) an update on NSC's compliance with the FPC at the ethanol trans-loading facility?

My current understanding is that the facility, in its present configuration, complies with all applicable FPC provisions. If there are any outstanding compliance questions, we need to get them answered today so I can brief City Council tonight with the most updated information.

Thanks!

Adam
____________________________________
Adam K. Thiel
Fire Chief
Alexandria Fire Department
900 Second Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx
Fax: xxx-xxx-xxxx
E-mail: