NFPA Journal - Winter 2024 - 54

Codes + Tech
solution, but it was met with serious
safety concerns.
To address potential public health
and safety risks, environmental consequences,
and economic burdens, the U.S.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) suspended the
authorization for LNG rail transport on
October 31, 2023. This suspension will
last until June 30, 2025, or until a companion
rulemaking is completed. The
suspension allows for ongoing research,
testing, evaluation, and consideration
of recommendations from the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine (NASEM) and the development
of mitigation measures and
operational controls.
The PHMSA and Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) also established
a joint LNG Task Force to research LNG
transportation. The task force's work
includes reviewing international LNG
rail transportation guidance, evaluating
safe LNG loading and unloading
practices, quantifying the risk of LNG
transportation, conducting full-scale
impact testing on DOT-113 rail cars and
fire testing on LNG UN T75 portable
tanks, and reviewing LNG emergency
response guidance, among other tasks.
Over the last several years, significant
research resources have been dedicated to
this topic by a vast array of organizations,
including the Fire Protection Research
Foundation (FPRF), the research affiliate
of NFPA. For example, Transport Canada
commissioned a research study led by
FPRF to evaluate whether the Emergency
Response Guidebook (ERG) Guide 115,
Gases-Flammable (including refrigerated
liquids) needs modifications to accurately
account for the hazards of LNG.
(Currently, the guidebook treats LNG
the same as liquefied petroleum gas, or
LPG.) The FPRF study, released in February
2023, reviewed scientific literature,
previous incident reports, and emergency
response procedures comparing LNG
to LPG to establish recommendations
for updates to the Emergency Response
Guidebook to ensure the guidance reflects
LNG hazards.
A number of recent incidents demonstrate
the danger involved in transporting
LNG. In January, a tragic incident
occurred in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, when
a truck carrying 60 tons of LNG crashed
and exploded, resulting in the deaths
of at least six people, including three
firefighters; 14 others sustained injuries.
The accident required the deployment of
over 600 firefighters and 100 fire engines
to manage the scene. The explosion not
only caused immediate devastation but
also highlighted the significant risks
associated with transporting hazardous
materials like LNG.
Mongolia's deputy prime minister
reported that the truck carrying the LNG
crashed into a car, triggering an initial
explosion followed by a secondary blast.
The explosions caused severe damage,
engulfing nearby buildings, including
residential structures, and burning
numerous cars. The fire was eventually
brought under control, but three officers
of the 63rd Fire Fighting and Rescue
Unit of the National Fire Service lost
their lives while performing their duties.
Although the containment system/
tank design used in Mongolia differs
from that used in the U.S., the incident
in Mongolia underscores the critical
importance of robust safety regulations
and policies, scientifically validated
engineering controls, and operational
practices for managing the risks associated
with hazardous materials like LNG.
The Emergency Response Guidebook
is a vital resource for first responders
during the initial phase of a hazardous
materials incident. Published by the
Firefighters at the scene
of an explosion and fire
after a truck carrying 60
tons of liquified natural
gas collided with a car in
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia,
in January. Six people,
including three firefighters,
died in the incident. More
than 600 firefighters
responded to the scene.
54 | NFPA JOURNAL * WINTER 2024
GETTY IMAGES

https://www.nfpa.org/en/Education-and-Research/Research/Fire-Protection-Research-Foundation/Projects-and-Reports/Validation-of-Recommended-Emergency-Actions-for-Liquefied-Natural-Gas https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/24/six-killed-in-mongolia-explosion-after-gas-truck-car-collision https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/24/six-killed-in-mongolia-explosion-after-gas-truck-car-collision

NFPA Journal - Winter 2024

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