SIK508 Explosions in Industrial Fire Safety

Contents and structure

Explosions and industrial fire safety focus on learning the theory explaining explosion occurrence and behaviour, including gas, vapours and dust explosions, explosive atmospheres classification, focusing on major accidents in industry, and knowledge of ignition sources and barriers. In addition, it is important to know how to identify danger and find probability and consequences. The subject object is to give the students a good foundation for the work faced within technical safety and risk engineering.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student has the following learning outcome:

Knowledge

The student…

• has knowledge of different mechanisms related to explosions, both initiation and propagation.
• understands the differences and similarities between gas, vapour and dust explosions.
• has knowledge of zone classifications under the ATEX directives.
• understands the concepts of barriers and quality of barriers over time.
• knows the different causes of leakages, fire and explosion, and the consequences for humans and materials.
• has knowledge of actual incidents that have changed the safety level in the industry.

Skills

The student…

• can evaluate explosion risks in industrial facilities.
• can investigate accidents and incidents, identifying the function that have failed due to technical, human and organizing barriers (MTO).
• can prepare safety documentation based on probability and consequences, and can contribute to industrial risk analysis and emergency preparedness analysis.
• can identify risks using HAZID, HAZOP, and LOPA and identify gaps compared to the required SIL level.

General competence

The student…

• should know the course terminology and symbols and understand the documentation related with fire safety engineering in the industry.
• can contribute with state of the art knowledge during safety evaluations and identify solutions to reduce the risk of accidents.

Entry requirements

Successful completion of SIK504 Fire Science and SIK505 Contingency Management and Fire Prevention.

Recommended previous knowledge

None other than the entry requirements

Teaching methods

The course will be fully digital. Videos will be made available on the digital platform to visualize asynchronously. It will be based on collections of lectures, exercises, problem-based learning, group work, and self-guided learning.

Compulsory learning activities

To enter the final exam, students must get the following activities approved:

• attend to all presentations of case studies.
• participate (actively) in the discussion groups online.

Assessment

Part 1: Oral exam, 30 minutes, accounts for 50 % of the final mark.

• The candidate will receive a number of questions 1 week before the exam date, to prepare for the exam. The exam will last for maximum 30 minutes, with the discussion of three of the questions provided to the candidates.

Part 2: Assignment, accounts for 30 % of the final mark.

• Project case study analysing a real life accident or incident that involved, or could have involved fire. A final report will be assessed.

Part 3: portfolio, accounts for 20 % of the final mark.

• The portfolio will include small tasks and exercises, that will be developed during the duration of the course.

The students must pass all three parts to receive a course grade.

Graded scale from A to E for pass, and F for fail.

Examination support material

Oral exam: Simple calculator, question sheets, brief notes.

Assignment: Access to all aids

Portfolio: Access to all aids

More about examination support material