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[pleckner]

If the vessel is not atmospheric, it needs some sort of overpressure protection. The calculation will be dependent on the code the vessel falls under. For example, if it is a pressure vessel (designed for 15 psig or more), then it will follow ASME Section VIII, Division 1. If it is designed for around 2.5 psig, it will follow API 620. Atmoshperic vessels follow API 2000.

The calculation for fire is irrespective of the material it is made out of. It just needs to follow the applicable code.

As far as the vessel failing before the relief device activates, this can actaully be said of any vessel, even steel. The relief device is used to control the release of vapors generated during the fire. Once all the liquid in the vessel evaporates, the vessel will probably fail, steel or otherwise. I've argued many times that the gaskets between the relief device (relief valve in my case) and the flange it is connected to will probably fail before all the contents boil anyways. Some have agreed and others not. But no matter, the code tells us to supply a pressure relieving device and we must do so.