Why Choose Arthian's Civil & Structural Engineering team?
Engineering services delivered by specialists:
Blast Resistant Building Design & OBRA
Blast Resistant Building Engineering Design. Building for a Safer, More Resilient Future for High Hazard Industries
OBRA and Blast-Resistant Building Design
Arthian provides blast resistant building design and Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA) for high-hazard industries, helping clients protect people, assets and operations. We support industrial, energy, chemical, manufacturing and COMAH facilities with practical engineering solutions that balance safety, resilience and operational requirements.
- Blast resistant building design and assessment
- Occupied Building Risk Assessments (OBRA)
- Building vulnerability and consequence assessments
- Blast load assessment and structural modelling
- Structural robustness and resilience assessments
- Progressive collapse evaluation and mitigation design
- New-build and retrofit solutions for hazardous environments
- Integration with COMAH, DSEAR and safety case requirements
- Risk reduction and mitigation strategies
- Multidisciplinary project delivery and design coordination
Safety and resilience are at the heart of every project we deliver. We combine structural engineering and process safety expertise to help clients understand building risks, develop practical mitigation measures and ensure facilities remain safe and operational. Our solutions are tailored to the specific hazards, operational requirements and regulatory obligations associated with high-hazard industrial environments.
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
What is an Occupied Building Risk Assessment (OBRA) and why is it required?
OBRA is a structured evaluation of how occupied buildings may respond to blast events, toxic gas releases, or thermal hazards. It helps ensure compliance with HSE guidance and COMAH regulations by identifying vulnerabilities and recommending proportionate mitigation strategies.
Do I need blast-resistant building design for my COMAH site or high-hazard facility?
If your facility operates under COMAH or involves hazardous processes, blast-resistant design is often essential to meet safety case requirements and protect personnel. Arthian provides tailored solutions for control rooms, welfare buildings, substations, and more.
Can existing buildings be upgraded to meet blast protection standards?
Yes. Arthian offers retrofit and remedial services to enhance the resilience of legacy infrastructure. We assess structural integrity, reinforce critical components, and integrate protective measures with minimal disruption to operations.
What types of buildings can be designed for blast resistance?
We design both permanent and modular structures including control rooms, forward operating bases (FOBs), contractor villages, emergency response buildings, and gatehouses. Each design is tailored to site-specific risks and operational needs.
How does Arthian ensure compliance with blast protection regulations and SER Certification?
Our team integrates OBRA findings, structural analysis, and design documentation to support regulatory engagement. We prepare certified designs for SER Certification in Scotland and align with HSE, industry, and COMAH standards across the UK.
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.