What is a Separation Distance Survey?

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MoEP policy requires that a safety buffer zone be maintained between hazardous materials and public spaces and outlines the methodology for determining the size of this zone.

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The policy distinguishes existing situations and future planning/development. Determining the required buffer zone is achieved through a separation distance survey and risk assessment, with evaluation of realistic accident scenarios.

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The purpose of such a survey is to assess whether the facility meets the regulatory requirements for minimum separation from the population, considering the hazardous materials present and their potential environmental impact. Ultimately, the aim is to reduce public and environmental exposure to hazardous substances.

 

What is a Source of Risk?

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A source of risk is any existing or planned activity involving hazardous materials within the site boundaries. This may include use, storage, production, handling, or transfer of such substances, as well as inter-facility pipelines.

 

What is a Public Receptor?

 

According to the policy, a public receptor is any existing or planned land use designated for population presence. This includes:

• Residential areas

• Retail and commercial centers

• Public service offices

• Institutions listed in the Planning and Building Law

• Tourism and leisure sites

• Banquet halls and event venues

• Areas where intensive public presence occurs in open spaces and parks (excluding hiking trails and certain public lands within or around industrial zones)

• Mixed-use developments containing any of the above

• Parking lots associated with these uses

 

Industrial facilities themselves, including factory stores, staff cafeterias in industrial zones, and visitor centers within plants- are NOT considered public receptors. Neither are emergency service facilities and gas stations.

 

How are Separation Distances Determined?

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The required separation distance between a source of risk (containing hazardous materials) and a public receptor is measured from the boundary of the risk source’s site to the boundary of the public receptor’s site.

The assessment considers a range of scenarios based on the type and quantity of hazardous materials present.

 

When is a Separation Distance Survey Required?

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• When applying for new poisons (hazardous materials) permit for a risk source

• When requesting a significant change to an existing permit

• During planning processes involving hazardous materials or when public receptors are planned closer to risk sources

• When both a risk source and public receptor are discovered to be in close proximity, with both approved in planning.

 

Why Are Separation Distance Surveys Increasingly Needed?

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In recent years, there has been a growing trend in industrial facilities being situated closer to population centers, due in part to:

• Rapid urban development is resulting in population encroachment towards industrial zones.

• Regulations and planning programs that permit risky proximity between facilities and the public.

• Occasionally insufficient enforcement by authorities and unauthorized construction.

 

Trend Toward Improvement

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Implementation of the MoEP’s separation distance policies has significantly improved safety standards and reduced the environmental impact of industrial activities in Israel. Contributing factors include installation of advanced safety systems, improved technology, reduction in hazardous material inventories, and transition to substances with lower environmental risk.

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As industrial facilities implement these improvements, it has been possible to significantly reduce the minimum required separation distances, and in some cases, to even eliminate the need for such separation.

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Sutok conducts separation distance surveys for a wide variety of clients in both industry and other sectors such as agriculture (including broiler and poultry farms). For a price quote, please contact us.