• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.97-105
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• 2017

Because asphalt is a solid at normal temperature and is not a hazardous material as stipulated in the Safety Management Act on Hazardous Materials, it is often recognized as having no risk of fire or explosion. On the other hand, it is as dangerous as flammable liquid because it is heated to $170-180^{\circ}C$ and stored in a storage tank. This study analyzed the risk of fire and explosion during the storage and handling of asphalt and the actual conditions of asphalt regulations by fire service organizations. Moreover, this study analyzed the domestic case of explosions in the production process of asphalt concrete (ASCON) and domestic and foreign cases of asphalt storage tank explosions. The analysis suggested that unlike Japan, Korea has no asphalt regulations in fire service organizations. Explosions can occur when ignition is delayed after fuel is sprayed on the dryer drum burner of the aggregates during the production of ASCON. A physical explosion can occur in the storage tank when environmental purification facilities suddenly work strongly to remove air pollutants or bad smells during the heating of asphalt in an asphalt storage tank. In addition, explosions can occur when fires such as welding is performed in the asphalt storage tank.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 1997.11a
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• pp.203-210
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• 1997

Reports of explosions in cargo and storage tanks of high flash point liquids such as residual fuel oil, asphalt, and oily waste water have shown that these explosions have occurred even when the liquid temperatures are well below the liquid nominal flash point. The reasons for these seemingly paradoxical explosions are reviewed and results of recent laboratory tests are presented to better define the conditions leading to flammable vapor atmospheres in these tanks. The potential effectiveness of various prevention measures are discussed including inerting, monitoring tank vapor concentrations, and periodic cleaning of condensation and deposits on the tank walls and roof.