Page 51 - OHS, November/December 2020

emergency preparedness, planning and response before it’s too late.
Which is Right for You: Static or Dynamic Plume Modeling?
Most facilities that are at risk for chemical incidents rely on some form of static plume modeling tool. ALOHA, the hazard modeling program from the Environmental Protection Agency, is one of the most common static plume modeling tools.
Static models are commonly used to maintain compliance with EPA regulations. These models calculate how quickly the chemical is escaping, predict how that rate might change over time, estimate the areas that will be impacted and allow you to model different hazard types and release scenarios.
In order to create a plume with a static model, you must manually enter all of the necessary data points. In some cases, this information may not be available, so you must rely on your best estimate. Because of this, the plume generated by a static model will never be up to date. By the time the data is entered, it’s already old. It’s like trying to predict the winner of a race from a photo taken right after the starting gun.
On the other hand, dynamic plume modeling tools expand on static plume models by incorporating real-time gas and weather data, giving you more accurate, up-to-date and detailed information. Dynamic plume modeling software puts you in control by allowing you to monitor, model and mitigate chemical releases in real time.
Dynamic models automatically incorporate real-time data from on-site gas and meteorological sensors to generate an accurate plume model, then track and monitor all aspects of a chemical release in one place from start to finish. With live data on the size, speed and path of the hazard, you can see in an instant who is impacted—both on your site and within your community—and what action you need to take to reduce risk.
Dynamic plume modeling tools are continuously monitoring gas and weather sensors so you can identify the source of a chemical incident as it’s happening, something static plume modeling tools cannot do. Whether it’s a chemical leak, derailment or some other loss of containment, dynamic models have the power to immediately identify the problem.
In the event of a chemical release, responders often face an “information gap” where they must wait for answers. Knowing where the release occurred and having a system that monitors the facility answers most of these questions, allowing responders to take decisive action quickly, saving valuable time and lives.
Implementing and deploying dynamic plume modeling tools to monitor—in real time—muster points, evacuation areas, the facilityfencelineandcommunitylocations forhazardousairbornesubstancesisthe foundation for strong emergency response.
Using these real-time tools takes the
guesswork out of mapping the dispersion of a chemical release, allowing facilities and first responders to react and make decisions with confidence, both inside your facility and in the communities you serve.
Eric Fishman is the director of strategic partnerships at Industrial Scientific, where he focuses on connecting customers to innovative safety solutions. Eric joined the Industrial Scientific family after the acquisitionofSAFERSystems,wherehewas the president. Eric can be reached at eric.fishman@indsci.com.
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