M10 PM Chemical Hazard Identification, Classification and Communication
Monday, 14 November 2005: 1:50 PM - 5:30 PM in 341-342

(PAR-1118-045465) A multi-criteria and fuzzy logic based methodology for relative ranking of chemicals and installations hazards.

Paralikas, A.N.^{1, 2}, Lygeros, A.I.³, ¹ Fire Captain, Chemical Engineer, Greek Fire Brigade, Emergency Response Center, Athens, Greece² PhD candidate, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece³ Professor, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece

ABSTRACT- The issue of hazard assessment and evaluation of chemical substances usually involves more than one parameters; therefore it can be viewed as a multi-criteria problem. On the other hand, current methodologies and classification systems usually use linguistic variables, corresponding to specific range of values, for the classification of different hazards. Moreover, many uncertainties are present in the assessment of chemical hazards or industrial accidents consequences. In this paper, a new approach for the rapid assessment and relative ranking of the hazards of chemical substances, as well as units and installations, is introduced. It is based on the employment of a multi-criteria decision-making technique, the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The multi-criteria approach aims in better incorporating the different properties or parameters in hazard assessment. The proposed approach is also based on fuzzy logic, since fuzzy logic is considered better for dealing both with linguistic variables and uncertainties. Based on the proposed methodology, a number of indices have been developed and are presented: the Facility Hazard Index (FHI), for the ranking of chemical installations based on their consequences potential, the consequences that would result from the worst case accident scenario (fire, explosion or toxic release) at an installation that uses, produces, stores hazardous materials, and the Substance Toxicity Hazard Index, (STHI), which is introduced as a screening / relative ranking tool of the chemical substances, focused on their major-accident hazards . Finally, the challenges and limitations of using the multi-criteria approach for the development of relative ranking and assessment indices are also discussed.

Key words: Hazardous Substances, Hazard Indices, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Hazard Evaluation