Risk Assessment of a Liquid Storage Terminal: Comparison of Brazilian and Dutch Methodologies

Benchmark studies are important for evaluating the efficiency of a company's practices, as well as for assessing modifications that can be adopted or adapted to improve internal processes and results. This study aimed to evaluate the Brazilian methodology for risk assessment of petroleum product storage terminals. The assessment was carried out by comparing Brazilian risk results with those from the Netherlands, as presented in Report 620001002 from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) by Lenoble et al. (2011). To ensure a consistent basis for risk assessment, the fictitious storage depot described by Lenoble et al. (2011) was used. Brazilian risk calculations were performed according to the primary standard for evaluating risks from hazardous installations, issued in 2014 by the environmental agency of the state of São Paulo (CETESB), i.e., P.4261 - Risk of Accident of Technological Origin - Method for Decision Making and Reference Terms - CETESB (2011).

Keywords: Risk assessment, Storage depot, Flammable liquids, Brazilian guidelines, Cetesb.