EPIcode

Code Owner: Homann Associates, Inc.

Description: The Emergency Prediction Information code, or EPIcode, program was developed to provide emergency response personnel and emergency planners with a software tool to help evaluate the atmospheric release of toxic substances. EPIcode allows fast estimation and assessment of chemical release scenarios associated with accidents from industry and transportation. The software can also be used for safety analysis planning purposes on facilities handling toxic materials. EPIcode performs calculations for chemical source terms and resulting downwind concentrations. Source term calculations determine the rate at which the chemical material is released to the atmosphere, release height, release durations, and the form and properties of the chemical upon release. The release chemical may be a gas, a vapor, or an aerosol.

For more information on EPIcode email, epicode@aol.com, or visit the web site, http://www.epicode.com.

In May 2004, the DOE performed an evaluation of EPIcode against DOE's safety software quality assurance criteria. A gap analysis report was generated that identifies the strengths and weaknesses based upon ASME NQA-1 criteria. Upon completion of this evaluation, EPIcode V7.0 was included in DOE's safety software Central Registry as a safety analysis toolbox code. Inclusion into DOE's safety software Central Registry provides to DOE sites knowledge of the pedigree of the safety software quality assurance (SSQA) level for EPIcode V7.0. If another version of EPIcode is used, DOE sites must assume the responsibility to determine that the quality assurance level meets DOE SSQA requirements. DOE published guidance for the use of EPIcode. This guidance is recommended for all DOE applications of EPIcode V7.0

Reports and publications related to EPIcode:

Note: Non-DOE issued reports and publications are not endorsed for technical content by DOE. These reports are provided on this web site for courtesy to our DOE community.

DOE-EH-4.2.1.3-EPIcode-Gap Analysis, Software Quality Assurance Improvement Plan: EPIcode Gap Analysis,

DOE-EH-4.2.1.4-EPIcode-Code Guidance, EPIcode Computer Code Application Guidance for Documented Safety Analysis

Thoman, D. C.; O'Kula, K. R.; Laul, J. C.; Davis, M. W.; and Knecht, K. D.; Comparison of ALOHA and EPIcode for Safety Analysis Applications, Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, Volume 13, Number 6, November/December 2006.