)—such as whether the building is surrounded by taller structures, isolated on a hilltop, or in an urban zone—along with local ground flash density ( Ngcap N sub g , flashes/km²/year).
SiRAC was initially developed with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in mind and is intended for use with chemicals in that are supplied and used at the worksite. However, it has specific exclusions. It does not apply to:
Evaluates the length, width, and height of the roof plane to calculate the structure's overall "equivalent collection area" ( Adcap A sub d Environmental Influences: Integrates the location factor ( Cdcap C sub d simplified iec risk assessment calculator sirac
A key characteristic of SiRAC was its automation of the risk assessment process. The software would guide the user through selecting parameters for a single-zone building. Because it used pre-defined parameters that the user could not change, some values remained fixed in the program. To use the software, an engineer would input:
): Risk is lower if a building is surrounded by taller objects, as they act as natural shields . Occupancy Coefficient ( Lf1cap L sub f 1 end-sub )—such as whether the building is surrounded by
He punched in the data.
): Higher risks are assigned to buildings that are difficult to evacuate, such as hospitals or high-panic environments (stadiums) . It does not apply to: Evaluates the length,
The primary driver for adopting SiRAC is regulatory compliance. It provides a structured, documented, and legally recognized method for small and medium enterprises to manage chemical risks under USECHH. By using SiRAC, companies can systematically identify and control hazardous exposures, thereby minimizing occupational accidents and diseases. It is a direct, practical solution to a legal requirement.
While the IEC standards provide the formulaic backbone, manual calculations can be time-consuming and prone to human error, particularly when assessing large or diverse structures. SIRAC acts as a companion tool, allowing users to input specific parameters of a structure—such as its location, dimensions, construction material, and electrical systems—to receive a rapid, compliant risk assessment 1.2.1. The Role of SIRAC in IEC 62305-2 Compliance