In Place Protection (IPP) for Non-Residential Buildings

• What is In-Place Protection (IPP)

• Importance of IPP

• Possible Scenarios

• Developing an IPP Plan for workplace

• Similar concept in keeping out dust and noise

  

  Involves seeking shelter in an interior room with minimal openings. Shutting all windows and doors

• Minimise infiltration of exterior air

• In-place protection (IPP) includes additional precautions

• IPP implemented in past incidents….

  • Lake Charles, Louisiana, Aug 27, 2020

    Incident - Chlorine release due to fire at a chemical plant.

    Lessons - Residents within the affected area were instructed to stay indoors. No fatalities or injuries due to the chemical fire were reported.

• IPP implemented in past incidents….

  • Atchison, Kansas on Oct 21, 2016

    Incident - Mixing of incompatible chemicals resulting in the release of chlorine cloud.

    Lessons - Thousands of community members ordered to shelter-in-place. Some who were outdoors and exposed to the chemical sought medical attention due to headache and sore throat. Therefore, it was safer to stay indoors.

The decision to implement IPP rather than evacuation during a chemical emergency will be driven by the following considerations:

1. Potential for exposure to people being evacuated

2. Instantaneous, short plume duration

3. Vulnerable populations that cannot be evacuated readily (eg. Hospitals and nursing homes)

4. Affected area with high population density (in the region of thousands)

Note: Mass evacuation is a complex procedure requiring substantial hours to complete, massive resources to move people, perfect cooperation and understanding from the people

Notification to Conduct IPP

In the event of a chemical incident, you will be notified by the authority to adopt in-place protection through

• Public Warning System (PWS)

• Free-to-air Mediacorp TV channels and radio stations

• SMS-based Public Alert System

• SGSecure mobile app

• Door-to-door notification

  

• Step 1 : Know your building/work premises

• Step 2 : Develop IPP plan

• Step 3 : Conduct IPP drills

• Step 1 : Know your building/work premises

  1. Ventilation System

     • What is the type of ventilation system?

     • Is the building connected to other buildings, passageways, and tunnels?

     • Determine if there are smoke purge fans

  2. Switches that control air-handling units

     • Building Automation System (BAS)- Commercial Premises

     • Fire Command Centre

  3. Location of ‘Safe Haven’ (Industrial Premises)

Building Information

• Step 2 : Develop IPP plan

  ✓ Format modeled after Fire Emergency Plan

  ✓ Contents include:

  1. Objective

  2. IPP Committee

  3. Signal for Initiation of IPP

  4. IPP Procedures

  5. Actions to be taken

  6. Duties and Responsibilities

  7. IPP Drills

Objective

• Safeguard human lives in the event of hazardous release

• Establish duties and responsibilities to ensure systematic and orderly implementation

IPP Committee

1. Co-ordinator/Asst. Co-ordinator

2. Receptionist/Information counter staff

3. Mechanical Ventilation Operator

4. IPP Warden/Asst. IPP Warden (the Fire Warden can be assigned as the IPP Warden)

5. Chief Security Officer

The basic steps are:

• Shut all windows, doors, blinds/curtains and openings

• Turn off machinery and lights to minimise heat generation

• Turn off all air handling equipment (e.g. air conditioning) to avoid drawing in air from outside

• Grab some cloths/big towels and tapes

• Choose a room (or rooms) with minimal windows/exterior openings

• Use cloths/towels to seal off gaps between the door and floor

• Close all windows in the room. If there are louvre windows (or openings of similar design), seal the gaps with commonly found items such as cloths/towels or tapes

• Tune in to the free-to-air MediaCorp TV and radio stations or SCDF’s social media platforms for updates on the latest situation and/or instructions from the authorities

• Leave the room only when instructed by the authorities

Actions To Be Taken

Signal / Announcements to Commence IPP

• Use of Public Address System

• Useful statements to include in the announcements:

  1. An In-Place Protection advisory has been issued

  2. DO NOT leave the building. The air outside is not safe.

  3. The ventilation and air-conditioning systems will be shutdown to minimise infiltration of air from outside.

  4. Close windows and doors and turn off unnecessary machinery and lights to minimise heat generation.

• Mechanical Ventilation & AHUs

  ✓ To include Step-by-step instructions to deactivate systems (intake and exhaust)

  ✓ May need to modify procedures to ensure quick deactivation (eg central controls for MVs and AHUs, co-locate controls in one location)

  

• Mechanical Ventilation & AHUs

  ✓ Stop operation of Lifts - piston effect

  ✓ To bypass activation of pressurised systems from auto alarm

  

• Step 3 - Conduct IPP Drills

  Important to familiarise occupants with IPP procedures

  

• Termination of IPP

  ✓ Occupants may leave the building

  ✓ Use of purging system to dilute and purge the building of any hazardous vapous which may have infiltrated

IPP will offer immediate protection to occupants when evacuation is not advisable during an emergency

Guidelines for IPP at Workplace available on SCDF’s Website

https://www.scdf.gov.sg/home/fire-safety/downloads/acts-codes-regulations/in-place-protection-(ipp)-for-non-residential-buildings