The Interference of Natural Hazards on Security Systems in Chemical and Process Facilities

Abstract

Physical Protection Systems (PPS) are essential to protect chemical sites against intentional attacks, yet current security assessment methods rarely consider the effects of natural hazards on security performance. This study examines the impact of natural hazards on 17 PPS security elements representative of detection, delay, and response functions in chemical and process facilities. Expert elicitation was used to estimate the probability of damage, failure, or impairment under seven hazard categories relevant to Natech scenarios. The results indicate that natural hazards can significantly reduce the availability and operability of security elements, with the most severe effects associated with floods and earthquakes. These findings support the inclusion of natural-hazard effects in security risk assessment and the development of more integrated safety–security management strategies for chemical sites.