The intial report into the explosions and fires at the Buncefield Oil Depot in Hemel Hempstead, has been published today.
Lord Newton, the chairman of the Buncefield Investigation Board said: “Though knowledge of this major incident is still incomplete, the Board is in a position to identify three main issues arising from it.
"These are the design and operation of fuel and oil storage depots; the emergency response to incidents; and advice to planning authorities on developments round such sites.
"We believe these areas, together with our examination of the HSE's and the Environment Agency's roles in regulating the activities on the Buncefield site, will form the main scope of our further work.”
The report said that in relation to the design and operation of storage sites, the Buncefield incident involved failures to contain fuel at three levels.
It said the paramount need is to ensure the integrity of the primary means of containment, which means confining the fuel to the tanks, pipes and vessels designed to hold it.
It added that this does not however lessen the need for effective secondary and tertiary containment (mainly bunds and drains) that prevent pollutants, especially fuel and the water used for fire fighting, from escaping the site and contaminating the environment.
The Board said overall it was very impressed with the emergency response to the incident, highlighting the importance of effective emergency arrangements.
The report said the Buncefield incident has posed fundamental questions about residential and commercial developments around sites like Buncefield.
The board said: "This is a complex issue requiring a balance to be made between the risks and benefits of development.
"The Board intends to address these issues more fully once the preliminary conclusions of the HSE's current review of its advice to planning authorities are known.
Taf Powell, the Investigation Manager said: “Work on the investigation continues to ensure that all reasonable lines of enquiry are followed.
"Evidence continues to be gathered from different sources and the emerging information contributes to a greater understanding of the underlying root causes.
"This allows the investigation team to refine its enquiries further and to bring into focus elements such as wider management systems and organisational factors."
