Information of the public according to § 8a of the 12th BImSchV

Introduction Based on EU directives, the German government issued the Major Accidents Ordinance (12th Ordinance for the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act), to which warehouses that exclusively store, commission and ship liquefied petroleum gas in containers are also subject. The aim of the Major Accidents Ordinance is to reduce the risks and hazards of industrial incidents for the public, and to protect the environment and neighborhood from hazards that may arise.

Even if there is no direct danger from pure storage, ROTHENBERGER Werkzeuge GmbH is obliged to inform you about the safety measures taken and the correct behavior in the event of an incident.

In our warehouse the containers containing gas are stored, picked and dispatched, no further processing, e.g. decanting, mixing etc. takes place.

About us At ROTHENBERGER we develop, produce and market pipe tools, machines and aids for plumbers, heating engineers, refrigeration/air conditioning technicians and service fitters. Our equipment is used on construction sites in the SHK trade and in refrigeration, gas and environmental technology as well as in maintenance.

Activities in the operating area At the location Industriestrasse 7 we operate a gas free warehouse, a high rack warehouse and a pallet rack warehouse. In the gas free warehouse, the larger containers containing gas are stored and in the high-bay warehouse, only products that do not contain gas are stored. In the pallet rack warehouse, where the order picking is also processed, a part of gas cartridges up to a certain volume as well as the very fast moving tools and aids are stored. Therefore, the pallet rack warehouse is equipped with a gas warning system. The gas free warehouse is open so that the ambient air can flow through it and thus no dangerous gas concentrations can form.

Application of the Major Accidents Ordinance. Since its commissioning, the operating area has been subject to the regulations for facilities requiring a permit under the Federal Immission Control Act (12th BImSchV - Major Accidents Ordinance) and represents a lower-class operating area. All requirements of the competent authority resulting from the basic obligations of the Hazardous Incident Ordinance are fulfilled. The competent authority has been notified of the mandatory information pursuant to Section 7 (1) of the Hazardous Incident Ordinance.

Hazardous substances in the operating area. Our gas free warehouse stores combustible gases such as acetylene, liquefied petroleum gas (propane / butane) and more specialized gases (propenes, butenes) as well as oxygen and a number of inert gases such as helium, argon, nitrogen and various fluorocarbons used as refrigerants.

Hazard warnings.

The above-mentioned gases form flammable mixtures with (atmospheric) oxygen, are heavier than air, have a narcotic effect in high concentrations, possibly asphyxiating, cause frostbite in liquid state on contact with skin.
Avoid fire, naked lights and smoking and keep ignition sources away.
sufficient ventilation is to be ensured
Prevent entry into sewers, cellars and pits.

Liquid gas (propane / butane) is a colorless liquid stored under pressure, with an intense odor, which evaporates rapidly on release and is highly flammable. A release of larger quantities of gas would be recognizable by the clouds of mist spreading on the ground, but due to the limitation of the container volume to 0.75 l, no large quantity can escape. As it is neither toxic nor hazardous to water, the danger is that leakage could occur with a fire or explosion due to ignition of the gas-air mixture.

Oxygen is not itself flammable, but it does support combustion. Therefore, it must not be stored directly together with highly flammable substances.

Helium, argon and nitrogen and fluorocarbons are gases or low-boiling liquids that are not themselves flammable, nor do they promote combustion, but they can have a suffocating effect by displacing the oxygen in the air.

Right Conduct in the Event of an Incident. Despite all technical and organizational measures to prevent an incident, it cannot be ruled out with absolute certainty, especially in the event of a chain of several unfortunate circumstances.

Any gas released into the atmosphere forms a highly flammable or explosive gas mixture when mixed with atmospheric oxygen, which may also leave the operating area under certain circumstances.

In the event of a malfunction with effects beyond the operating limits, ROTHENBERGER Werkzeuge GmbH will inform its neighbors in order to avoid possible ignition sources until the mixture in question is uncritically diluted.

In order to avoid the release of a critical quantity of liquid gas, we have numerous safety devices:

Gas warning system and fire alarm system.
The plant management is available 24 hours a day
Hydrants, fire water pumps, sprinkler system, fire monitors and powder extinguishers
Electrical plant components in explosion-proof design
Daily inspection or regular maintenance of the plant
Regular external and internal training of all employees
In-house safety officer, hazardous materials officer and incident officer
Regular drills with and without fire department

If, despite all safety precautions, an accident should occur, gases and vapors may escape in addition to a fire or explosion. In order to keep the effects as low as possible, appropriate measures are taken immediately - as agreed with the authorities in the alarm and hazard prevention plan. The aim of our emergency response organization, if necessary together with public emergency and relief forces, is to prevent any danger to people and the environment, as stipulated by the Major Accidents Ordinance.

If you notice a smell of gas, a cloud of smoke or a loud bang, or if you are informed by telephone, siren or radio announcements, please follow the rules strictly:

If there are any signs of an incident, listen for loudspeaker or radio announcements by the fire department and police
Follow the instructions of the fire department and police without fail
Stay away from the scene of the accident and keep traffic routes clear for the emergency services
Locate a building and close windows and doors, refrain from using vehicles
Bring children indoors and, if necessary, pick up passersby or help the disabled
Notify your neighbors
Avoid any sources of ignition (electrical appliances, open flames, smoking, etc.)
Wait for the all-clear signal from the fire department or police via radio and loudspeaker
In case of health problems, contact your family doctor or the emergency medical service.

Monitoring by the authorities. The operation of ROTHENBERGER Werkzeuge GmbH is regularly monitored by the responsible authorities in accordance with § 16 of the Hazardous Incident Ordinance and reports are drawn up on this. These reports are publicly available on the homepage of the Darmstadt Regional Council. Detailed information on the monitoring can be obtained on request, taking into account the protection of public or private interests in accordance with the Hessian Environmental Information Act, from the Darmstadt Regional Council, Wiesbaden site.

Last on-site inspection: none

Further information can be obtained on request, taking into account the protection of public or private interests in accordance with the Hessian Environmental Information Act, from the Darmstadt Regional Council, Wiesbaden site.

ROTHENBERGER Tools GmbH Industrial road 7 D-65779 Kelkheim

Status: July 20, 2018