Page 22 - CCPS Monograph - Natural Hazards

APPENDIX B: EXAMPLE CONTENTS OF A NATURAL HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN,
continued

8. Interdependency. Interdependency is the relationship of how your facility depends on and
influences other things around it and how those things depend on and influence your facility.
Interdependencies should be communicated to any and all agencies and/or organizations that might
benefit from that knowledge. A plan for the effective use of interdependencies to facilitate disaster
recovery should be developed, shared with, and agreed upon by all affected parties.

Electrical power is an interdependency example. A manufacturing facility may have a cogeneration
facility onsite capable of supplying the power needed to operate the facility. The local commercial
power generating company serves as the backup. The manufacturing facility is dependent on the
local commercial power generating company for power when its cogeneration system goes down. It
also needs power from them to start up the cogeneration system; and, it needs them to take any
excess power generated. The local commercial power generating company in turn operate a certain
number of generators because they are expecting the manufacturing facility to normally consume a
minimal amount of power or even supply some power back into the grid. They are impacted by what
happens at the manufacturing facility and vice versa. In other words, they are interdependent.

The NHERP should include all interdependencies that a facility has. Particular attention should be
given to those interdependencies that would play a major role during or after an emergency. Make
sure that those who will be making disaster recovery decisions, particularly the regional and national
agencies, know about and understand the interdependencies in your area. See Appendix E for an
example list of interdependencies.

9. Utility services. Identify critical utilities for the safe operation and/or shut down of the facility. This
may include means of operating safety critical equipment and means to safely relocate personnel and
protect sensitive equipment, chemicals or operations. Ensure that electricity (including on-site
transformers and substations), gas, steam, heating, cooling, and water supply systems can withstand
the natural disaster or can be safely isolated or switched off before flooding. As the loss of utilities may
be for an extended period, consider the installation of backup systems for critical equipment.

Electrical power supply is likely to be interrupted. Consider interdependencies as this may apply to
inbound electrical services and outbound services cogeneration excess electricity. Do not assume
that it is lower risk to discontinue all services. Determine what items in the facility must have
electrical power to meet the functions described in your NHERP. If the facility is shut down there will
be a significant reduction in electrical power needs. Delineate what will need emergency power back
up and determine how the onsite emergency electrical supply system should be configured. It may
be appropriate to have a few large generators, or several smaller generators may be the best option.
Either way, consider holding in reserve a few small generators that use little fuel for servicing critical
systems such as your communication systems, ventilations systems, battery chargers, and alarms,
in case a primary generator fails. They may be needed if fuel supplies are almost exhausted and/or
if large generators fail. Be sure that these smaller generators can easily “plug in” to the critical
electrical circuits.

Assessment of and planning for natural hazards 19

 AIChE 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction for non-commercial, educational purposes is encouraged.
However, reproduction for any commercial purpose without express written consent of AIChE is strictly prohibited.