Blast Resistant Building Design & OBRA

Building for a Safer, More Resilient Future

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OBRA and Blast-Resistant Building Design

In high-hazard industries, resilience isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. At Arthian, we specialise in blast-resistant building design and Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA) to protect people, infrastructure, and operations from the impact of explosions, thermal hazards, toxic gas releases, and more. Whether you’re upgrading an existing facility or developing a new site in a high-risk zone, we provide the robust solutions you need for safety and compliance.

Why Blast-Resistant Design Matters

Facilities operating under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations must manage the risk of catastrophic events – not just to meet regulatory standards, but to ensure the ongoing safety of their workforce and the continuity of operations. In environments where process safety is critical, blast-resistant design is a frontline defence.

Our team understands the fine balance between protection, practicality, and regulatory compliance. From concept to completion, we apply advanced engineering to help mitigate the impact of external hazards, ensuring your buildings and people are prepared for the unexpected.

Arthian has decades of experience delivering bespoke, blast-resistant structures for industries such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, power, defence, and manufacturing. Our typical projects include:

Control Rooms
Forward Operating Buildings (FOBs)
Office and Welfare Facilities
Workshops & Stores
Amenities Buildings
Onshore Substations
TAR & Contractor Villages
Emergency Response Buildings
Security Gatehouses

Whether permanent or modular, bespoke-built or retrofit, we ensure your building meets the highest standards of safety and performance.

Our Blast-Resistant Design Services

We offer end-to-end services for new-build and existing facilities, combining structural analysis, risk assessment, and resilient architectural design.

Structural Integrity Analysis

Blast-Resistant Building Design

Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA)

Toxic & Thermal Refuge Design

Blast Doors and Windows

Retrofit & Remedial Works

Structural Integrity Analysis

We assess how structures behave under dynamic blast loads to ensure they remain stable and secure during explosive events. Our analysis combines advanced modelling techniques with engineering expertise to evaluate structural performance, identify vulnerabilities, and inform design enhancements. Whether for new builds or retrofit projects, we help clients meet safety standards and resilience objectives through evidence-based recommendations and robust design strategies.

Our structural integrity analysis typically includes:

Dynamic load modelling to simulate blast scenarios
Evaluation of structural response and failure mechanisms
Identification of critical vulnerabilities and weak points
Recommendations for reinforcement, material selection, and design optimisation
Support for compliance with blast protection standards and regulatory frameworks

Blast-Resistant Building Design

Our buildings are engineered to withstand defined explosion overpressures, helping to prevent structural collapse and reduce the risk of injury or fatality. We combine specialist structural design with material selection and layout optimisation to create safe, resilient environments for high-risk sectors. Whether designing new facilities or upgrading existing assets, we ensure that blast resistance is integrated seamlessly into architectural and operational requirements.

Our blast resistant building design services typically include:

Engineering to withstand specified explosion overpressures
Structural layouts that minimise vulnerability and maximise occupant protection
Material selection for enhanced durability and energy absorption
Integration with architectural, operational, and safety requirements
Support for compliance with blast protection standards and industry guidance

Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA)

We conduct detailed Occupied Building Risk Assessments in line with HSE and industry guidance to identify risks, evaluate building vulnerability, and recommend proportionate mitigation strategies. Our assessments help organisations understand how occupied buildings may respond to explosive events, ensuring that safety measures are appropriately scaled and targeted. Whether for industrial sites, infrastructure, or high-risk facilities, our OBRAs support informed decision-making and regulatory compliance.

Our OBRA services typically include:

Risk identification based on site context and operational activities
Evaluation of building vulnerability to blast effects
Alignment with HSE guidance and sector-specific standards
Recommendations for proportionate mitigation, including design and operational controls
Support for safety case development, planning, and regulatory engagement

Toxic & Thermal Refuge Design

We design shelter-in-place solutions that protect occupants from toxic gas releases or thermal events such as hydrocarbon pool fires and jet fires. Our refuges are engineered to maintain safe internal conditions during high-risk scenarios, with robust structural detailing, air filtration systems, and thermal insulation. Working closely with fire, gas, and structural specialists, we ensure that refuge areas meet regulatory standards and provide reliable protection in emergency situations.

Our toxic and thermal refuge design services typically include:

Engineering for protection against toxic gas ingress and thermal radiation
Design of shelter-in-place facilities with controlled air and temperature systems
Integration with fire safety, gas dispersion, and structural resilience strategies
Support for compliance with industry standards and safety case requirements
Recommendations for location, capacity, and operational protocols

Blast Doors and Windows

We specify and design reinforced door and window systems tailored to blast loads, ensuring weak points don’t compromise overall building performance. These components are engineered to absorb and deflect blast energy, maintaining the integrity of protective envelopes and safeguarding occupants. Our designs are informed by detailed load assessments and material testing, and can be integrated seamlessly into both new and retrofit projects.

Our blast door and window services typically include:

Specification and design based on defined blast load criteria
Reinforced systems to prevent breach or failure under pressure
Integration with overall structural and architectural design
Material selection for durability, energy absorption, and fire resistance
Support for compliance with blast protection standards and safety regulations

Retrofit & Remedial Works

We provide cost-effective upgrade solutions to enhance the resilience of existing buildings, extending their operational life and compliance with blast protection standards. Our retrofit strategies are tailored to each site’s risk profile and structural condition, focusing on strengthening vulnerable elements without compromising functionality or aesthetics. Whether addressing legacy infrastructure or adapting to new risk scenarios, we help clients improve safety performance with minimal disruption.

Our retrofit and remedial services typically include:

Structural upgrades to improve blast resistance and occupant protection
Reinforcement of critical components such as façades, doors, and windows
Integration of protective measures into existing layouts and operations
Assessment of legacy buildings against current standards and risk profiles
Cost-effective solutions to support compliance and extend asset life

Structural Integrity Analysis

Our structural integrity analysis typically includes:

Dynamic load modelling to simulate blast scenarios
Evaluation of structural response and failure mechanisms
Identification of critical vulnerabilities and weak points
Recommendations for reinforcement, material selection, and design optimisation
Support for compliance with blast protection standards and regulatory frameworks

Blast-Resistant Building Design

Our blast resistant building design services typically include:

Engineering to withstand specified explosion overpressures
Structural layouts that minimise vulnerability and maximise occupant protection
Material selection for enhanced durability and energy absorption
Integration with architectural, operational, and safety requirements
Support for compliance with blast protection standards and industry guidance

Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA)

Our OBRA services typically include:

Risk identification based on site context and operational activities
Evaluation of building vulnerability to blast effects
Alignment with HSE guidance and sector-specific standards
Recommendations for proportionate mitigation, including design and operational controls
Support for safety case development, planning, and regulatory engagement

Toxic & Thermal Refuge Design

Our toxic and thermal refuge design services typically include:

Engineering for protection against toxic gas ingress and thermal radiation
Design of shelter-in-place facilities with controlled air and temperature systems
Integration with fire safety, gas dispersion, and structural resilience strategies
Support for compliance with industry standards and safety case requirements
Recommendations for location, capacity, and operational protocols

Blast Doors and Windows

Our blast door and window services typically include:

Specification and design based on defined blast load criteria
Reinforced systems to prevent breach or failure under pressure
Integration with overall structural and architectural design
Material selection for durability, energy absorption, and fire resistance
Support for compliance with blast protection standards and safety regulations

Retrofit & Remedial Works

Our retrofit and remedial services typically include:

Structural upgrades to improve blast resistance and occupant protection
Reinforcement of critical components such as façades, doors, and windows
Integration of protective measures into existing layouts and operations
Assessment of legacy buildings against current standards and risk profiles
Cost-effective solutions to support compliance and extend asset life

Why Choose Arthian's Civil & Structural Engineering team?

Engineering services delivered by specialists:

Integration

Fully integrated with geotechnical, hydrological, and ecological disciplines.

Our Experience

National experience with regional insight and regulatory familiarity.

Our Understanding

Deep understanding of planning, infrastructure, and environmental interfaces.

Results Driven

Commitment to technical rigour, clear communication, and long-term outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Arthian Ensure COMAH Compliance?

Arthian has a proven track record of helping top-tier COMAH sites navigate complex safety requirements. We integrate OBRAs into broader site-wide mitigation strategies, addressing both permanent and temporary structures located within potential blast zones.

We also prepare certified design documentation for SER Certification in Scotland, helping clients demonstrate regulatory compliance with confidence and ease.

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you – whether you have a question, a project in mind, want to explore job opportunities, or just want to say hello.

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Blast Resistant Building Design & OBRA

OBRA and Blast-Resistant Building Design

Why Blast-Resistant Design Matters

Our Blast-Resistant Design Services

Structural Integrity Analysis

Blast-Resistant Building Design

Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA)

Toxic & Thermal Refuge Design

Blast Doors and Windows

Retrofit & Remedial Works

Structural Integrity Analysis

Blast-Resistant Building Design

Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA)

Toxic & Thermal Refuge Design

Blast Doors and Windows

Retrofit & Remedial Works

Why Choose Arthian's Civil & Structural Engineering team?

Integration

Our Experience

Our Understanding

Results Driven

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Arthian Ensure COMAH Compliance?

Get in Touch