5. Conclusion

The BLEVE of a flammable liquefied gas storage tank is a dangerous phenomenon whose effects can have disastrous consequences, as shown by the analysis of the accident that occurred in Mexico City in 1984.

In France, regulations require manufacturers to implement risk management measures to prevent such accidents. Thus, the main preventive measures described in this article are commonly implemented on industrial sites storing liquefied gases. It should be noted that the use of fireproof-type thermal coatings as a measure to prevent BLEVE is now introduced in Article 3 of the Order of July 28, 2014 amending the Order of January 2, 2008.

To date, while the main combinations of causes likely to lead to a BLEVE are well understood, it remains difficult to predict the kinetics of the phenomenon's appearance.