Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia.
Does your facility have a windsock(s)? A windsock should be visible from every location within the facility to assist employees in evacuating properly to an upwind area in a release incident.
Evacuation Windsock
General. -
1910.111(a)
1910.111(a)(1)
Scope. 1910.111(a)(1)(i) This standard is intended to apply to the design, construction, location, installation, and operation of anhydrous ammonia systems including refrigerated ammonia storage systems. 1910.111(a)(1)(ii) This standard does not apply to:
Link to complete OSHA information on the above topic(opens new window).
The following information, and image was source from the Ohio State University Fact Sheet. Please click here to open new window from here to that page.
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The Wind Tracker is ideal for use in emergency evacuation plans, and work site safety. It is reliable for field use in the detection of low wind movement. Installs at ground level, atop structures, on existing windsock poles, and is ideal for portable windsock deployment. Wind Tracker Windsock System is now preferred by major Businesses, Military, Coast Guard, EPA, FEMA, Municipalities, Nuclear Power Plants, Heliports, Hospitals, First Responders, Cities, and Countries throughout the world.
Wind Tracker's patented action allows for six directional movement. It can even demonstrate wind shears to the observer. This is a great benefit to helicopter pilots. The Wind Tracker Windsock System is now used worldwide in hundreds of applications.
Placement of the Wind Tracker Windsock System™
When considering your windsock location the differences between a “Visual Only” location and, the “Actual Wind Action” occurrence is very important. Evacuation lanes, and their routes must be taken into consideration. Improper placement could lead to an unsafe evacuation of personnel to a safe assembly area.
The above image demonstrates the need to understand correct placement of the wind monitoring sock.
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Unobstructed wind pattern (Top of or above structures). |
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Variable wind pattern (10 to 20 feet above grade). |
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Erratic wind pattern (At or near grade). |
Windsocks in the wrong place:
The average windsock is most commonly positioned at high elevations (at the top of a silo or large building) for everyone to see. Unfortunately the wind action is vastly different because it is unobstructed, and not affected by site conditions that would be in or around the evacuation lanes of personnel. During an emergency this could be fatal. We recommend ground level installation in and around the evacuation routes up to and at the muster areas. You can mount a unit atop a structure for general wind direction and inbound assistance (approaching fire equipment, ambulance, etc.) to the facility. Another factor is wear & tear at higher elevations. Because of unobstructed wind the velocity is higher, and therefore the windsock undergoes more stress. You will find that wear can be increased as much as 50% depending on placement. Remember, wind speed and direction are not always the same in both locations.
Wind direction, force, and speed:
Wind direction and wind action at lower elevations can vary dramatically. Structures, landscaping, temporary impediments like parked cars, type of area paving, elevation, climate, and other conditions can effect the wind direction, speed, and movement. Along with this, many airborne agents are heavier than air or are prevented from rising due to weather conditions such as fog, which keeps them close to the ground.
Two major field placement factors you should consider:
The first is line of sight, and the second is accuracy. Place one or more Wind Tracker Wind Systems where they can be seen from the ground from various locations throughout the facility. We recommend you first identify the lanes of evacuation, the assembly areas that will be used for evacuation and the line of sight associated with each of these. Place the Wind Tracker™ units in various locations and/or heights to assure line of sight, and accuracy of wind speed and direction.
Reliable & accurate for Evacuations, Emergency Action Plans (EAP), Commercial Use, Industrial Airport Windsocks, Oil fields, etc. US Patent 5,701,840