Vapor Release Triggers California Blaze: IL Fire District Protects Local Economy

Vapor release triggers California blaze
P.O. BOX 9161, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77842
Volume 27, No. 4 Fall 2012
IL fire district protects local economy

See page 14
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Permit #204 Bollingbrook, IL
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INDUSTRIAL FIRE WORLD
IFW CONTENTS
6: COVER STORY
Fall 2012 Volume 27 Number 4
DEPARTMENTS
4: Daves Notes By David White In Elwood, IL, the fire protection district faces an industrial fire risk that far exceeds the communitys residential risk. 26: EMS Corner By William R. Kerney When confronted with a potentially toxic vapor cloud, EMS workers must look to their own safety first.
Cloud Afire
On Aug. 6, flammable vapor escaping from a Richmond, CA, refinery ignited a massive blaze that extensively damaged the facility and destroyed a fire truck responding to the scene.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board
28: Incident Log 31: Focus on Hazmat By John Townsend Gases, vapors and aerosols can sneak upon the unwary responder when they are least expected. 34: Risk Assessment By Garry Bennett, John Frank and Marc Van De Velde Vapor releases are complex events with a wide range of outcomes. 37: Industrial Service Directory 38: Spotlight Ads
8: Vapor Cloud Fireworks Containment makes all the difference when it comes to flammable vapor cloud releases becoming an extreme explosive threat at a plant or refinery. 12: Fog Warning A 2011 toxic sulfur dioxide vapor release at a Gulf Coast fertilizer plant forces a refinery next door to take emergency precautionary measures. 14: Industrial Partners Responders in Elwood, IL, population 2,200, protect an enormous share of their states industrial tax base.
Publisher David White Editor Anton Riecher Marketing Manager Lynn White Associate Editor Kendra Graf Sales Representatives Lynn White, Kendra Graf, Steve Skinner, Cyndie Norman
16: Optimal Operation Taking water tanks out of service for inspections is old fashioned. 19: Understanding Fire Texas A&M industrial fire school draws biggest crowd in seven years. 27: Ceiling Shattered New Darley compact pump delivers record flows exceeding 3,400 gpm. 36: Lightning Strike Thunderbolt knocks workers car nearly 100 feet while she drives to work in a rain storm.
Subscriptions Manager Cyndie Norman Accounting Cyndie Norman Technical Consultant Louis N. Molino, Sr. Hazmat Contributor John S. Townsend, Ph.D. EMS Contributors William R. Kerney, Sherrie Wilson Risk Contributor John A. Frank

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Industrial Fire World, Fall 2012, Volume 27, No. 4. Industrial Fire World (ISSN 0749-890X) is published quarterly by Industrial Fire World, Inc., P.O. Box 9161, College Station, Texas 77842. (979) 690-7559. Fax: (979) 690-7562. E-mail: ind@fireworld.com. All rights reserved under International Convention. Copyright 2012 by Industrial Fire World Inc., all rights reserved. Industrial Fire World is a registered trademark of David White Investments, Inc., College Station, Texas. The design and content are fully protected by copyright and must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher. Bulk rate postage paid at Fulton, MO, and additional mailing offices. Subscription rates: USA, one year $29.95, two years $49.95, and three years $59.95; Canada and foreign, add $20 per year postage. Single copies $6. Back issues available at $6 a copy plus postage. Payment must accompany orders for single copies. All inquiries regarding subscription problems, change of address and payments, call (979) 690-7559. Please allow six to eight weeks for your first subscription copy to be shipped. Please state both old and new addresses when requesting an address change and notify us at least six weeks in advance. (If possible enclose subscription address label.) Industrial Fire World is edited exclusively to be of value for people in the industrial fire protection field. Subscriptions are reserved to those engaged in the area of industrial fire protection and related fields or service and supply companies personnel. Address advertising requests to Marketing Director, Industrial Fire World, P.O. Box 9161, College Station, Texas 77842. (979) 690-7559. Advertising rates and requirements available on request. Editorial Information: Industrial Fire World welcomes correspondence dealing with industrial fire and safety issues, products, training and other information that will advance the quality and effectiveness of industrial fire and safety management. We will consider for publication all submitted manuscripts and photographs. All material will be treated with care, although we cannot be responsible for loss or damage. Submissions should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. (Any payment for use of material will be made only upon publication.) Industrial Fire World assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Industrial Fire World reserves the right to refuse any editorial or advertising material submitted for publication. Information and recommendations contained in this publication have been compiled from sources that are believed to be reliable and representative of the best current opinion on various topics. No warranty, guarantee, or representation is made by Industrial Fire World as to the absolute validity of sufficiency of information contained within the publication. Industrial Fire World assumes no responsibility for statements made by contributors. Advertising in Industrial Fire World does not imply approval nor endorsement by Industrial Fire World. Printed in the USA. CPC publication number 40801529. Postmaster: Send address changes to Industrial Fire World, P.O. Box 9161, College Station, Texas 77842. For subscription inquiries call: (979) 690-7559.
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DAVES NOTES
Sorry doesnt get the job done

By DAVID WHITE
fter the widget plant burned down, the folks who lost their jobs wanted answers. So did the merchants dependant on the plant payroll, and the politicians hoping to keep the voting public prosperous. We didnt have the big pumper to do the job, answers the fire chief. We didnt have enough foam or water. We didnt have enough firefighters either. We just didnt have enough of anything. Welcome to the FDE Fire Department of Excuses. The only thing preplanned by this fire chief is a bid for cheap sympathy when the worst happens. The fire chief of Elwood, IL, is determined not to be one of these chiefs. (See page 14) Chief Bill Offerman of the Elwood Fire Protection District does not give excuses, nor does he accept them. Like the Collins (MS) Fire Department highlighted in the Spring 2012 issue of IFW, the firefighters in Elwood are responsible for a slice of small town America blessed with a proportionally enormous chunk of industry. If EFPD falls down on the job, the impact reaches far beyond main street Elwood. ExxonMobil might lose a refinery. Wal-Mart might lose a regional distribution center. The Burlington Northern and Sante Fe might lose a gigantic rail facility and a lot of freight that belongs to its customers. Residents do not want to hear Que Sera, Sera when an economic gem is suddenly subtracted from the tax base. We Are the Champions better be the background score when the video of the big fire is posted to YouTube. No time for losers, cause we are the champions of the world. Early on, Offerman started hedging his bets. Elwood is a town with 2,200 in population, 19 full-time firefighters and, in September, takes delivery on a 3,000 gpm pumper. It joins a fleet inventory that includes a 110-foot tower ladder and a 2,000 gpm pumper, all equipped with five-inch hose. Weve always considered ourselves an industrial fire department, Offerman said. EFPD is a completely professional department with the resources for both 4
industrial and municipal fire protection. With the best in equipment and training available, EFPD is protecting the assets that many communities that size would kill for in the current economy. The truth is that industrial facilities lost to fire are not being rebuilt. Ask the good people of Princeville, QC, who lost 180 jobs when their bacon production plant burned in May. In Winnipeg, ON, 65 jobs went south and I do not mean the U.S. when the local window and door factory burned in January. In November 2011, Newcomerstown, OH, lost 90 jobs thanks to a fiber insulation plant fire. In February 2011, 60 jobs went up in smoke with a fertilizer plant in Hartsville, SC. And in November 2010, Bastrop, LA, said goodbye to 50 jobs when the roll plug plant combusted. None of these fires rated as breaking news on CNN. But for those people personally affected, losing the local plant is a lifechanging tragedy. Of course a multitude of social services exist to help them after the fact, but the one agency best situated to prevent this grief is a well-trained, wellequipped fire department. Fire chiefs such as Offerman and John Pope in Collins do not accept the status quo. They set a model pace for their departments, evaluating local risks and searching out appropriate training. That training is persistent, constantly searching out new information and channeling it into appropriate specialized teams. By realistically appraising the risks facing them and equipping to meet them, they have given their communities outstanding fire departments that are up for any challenge. By networking with area industries that have their own fire brigades, EFPD is able to provide fire protection equal to anything available in Chicago only an hour away. I am so proud of fire departments such as EFPD that set a course for success instead of covering their tails with excuses. In closing, please note this issues focus on vapor cloud releases and subsequent explosions. Read it thoughtfully and form your own options on how best to minimize C property loss and personnel injury.
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On Aug. 6, a massive white cloud rises from a Richmond, CA, oil refinery, soon to be obscured by black smoke when a fire breaks o
ubbed the most serious U.S. refinery incident in recent years by a top U.S. Chemical Safety Board official, an Aug. 6 flammable vapor explosion at a Richmond, CA, refinery is under CSB investigation. CSB chairperson Rafael Moure-Eraso said the fire was a neardisaster for refinery personnel. The circumstances warrant a full and independent federal investigation to determine the root causes, Moure-Eraso said. Although fortunately no workers were killed, the overall impact of the incident ranks it as among the most serious U.S. refinery incidents in recent years. The fire occurred when gas-oil, a combustible hydrocarbon liquid, leaked from an eight-inch pipe connected to a crude oil distillation tower in the refinerys crude unit, the CSB states. Workers initially noted the leak and were in the process of attempting repairs on piping connected to the still-ope Vapor matter at its most dangerous state, Page 31 Preplan for petrochemical vapor releases, Page 34 rating crude oil distillation tower when the leak suddenly intensified. Due to the high temperature of the material in the tower, in excess of 600 degrees Fahrenheit, the gas-oil immediately formed a large flammable vapor cloud. An initial report by the refinery owner filed with the Contra Costa County Department of Health Services states that the fire occurred at the refinerys No. 4 crude unit at about 6:30 p.m. The fire was near P-1149 (C-100 Atmospheric Column No. 4 Sidecut pump), which was not operational. Five minor injuries were reported by employees, three of them associated with the incident, the report states. These employees received first aid at the refinery and later returned to work. The refinery fire brigade was on scene at the time of the explosion, the report states. The CSB released photos taken by investigators showing a fire truck consumed by flames. According to the Associated Press, investigators are looking at heaters and responding emergency vehicles as possible ignition sources for the massive vapor cloud. Typically in refineries there are fired heaters that have an open flame. There are a number of (possible) sources of ignition, said Don Holmstrom, director of CSBs Denver office, said. A CSB team of seven investigators arrived at the refinery on Aug. 8 and has been conducting witness interviews and reviewing documents at the site. Witness testimony collected by CSB investigators indicates that a large number of workers were engulfed in the vapor cloud, said CSB Team Lead Dan Tillema. These workers might have been killed or severely injured, had they not escaped the cloud as the release rate escalated and the cloud ignited, shortly
Photos courtesy of U.S. Chemical Safety Board
Above, damage towers behind a burned out emergency vehicle. Below, a flammable vapor release triggered the fire.
Chemical Safety Board investigates vapor cloud fire at California refinery
Photo credit: Fototaker.net
out. The photographer was about nine miles away in San Francisco. thereafter. The information gathered so far indicates the incident had a serious impact on the community, said CSB Board Member Mark Griffon, accompanying the team. Area hospitals told CSB investigators that they attribute hundreds of emergency room visits by community members to reported effects of the release and fire, with symptoms ranging from anxiety to respiratory distress. CSB structural and industrial safety experts arrived at the site on Aug. 13 to prepare for safe entry by investigators into the immediate area of the fire. Tillema said important issues in the investigation included understanding why the pipe that later failed was kept in service during a late 2011 maintenance turnaround and what procedures and industry practices exist for responding to a leak of combustible material from a running unit. He said the CSB board anticipates executing a site preservation and evidence testing agreement with the refinery and other investigative groups and arranging for independent testing of the leaking section of pipe to determine the failure mechanism. Both the refinery and the United Steelworkers, which represents hourly workers at the plant, have been cooperating with the CSB team, a CSB press release states. The refinery has provided assurances its personnel will freely share their knowledge and investigative information with the board. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), Contra Costa County, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other investigative groups are fully cooperating. Additional fallout from the refinery disaster came in mid-August when Contra Costa County officials announced their decision to seek proposals to replace the telephone-alert firm that struggled to notify residents about the fire. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, it took more than three hours for 18,000 people near the refinery to get calls advising
Below, left, refinery gutted by flames. Below, right, CSB investigators at work before the wreckage is cool. them to shelter in place. Nearly a quarter of the initial calls were not picked up by a person or answering machine, tying up the system by forcing a redial of those numbers. Further problems were caused by a feedback loop, the newspaper reported. Even when a call was completed, the system sometimes redialed before that registered. The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical accidents. The agencys board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards and C safety management systems.
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Photo courtesy of Williams Fire & Hazard Control
In photo A, a vapor cloud fire near San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 2009 ignited 21 storage tanks.
Either gunpowder or hydrocarbon vapor, the principle behind the blast is the same
Vapor cloud fireworks

By GENE ALLEN IFW Consultant
P
In Photo B, a Venezuela vapor cloud blast killed 40 in August.
Photo from Buncefield Investigation Third Progress Report
Photo C shows a car twisted by the Buncefield explosion. 8

lain old gunpowder and high tech hydrocarbon vapors have more in common than one might think. Basically, there are two types of explosions high yield detonating explosives like TNT and low yield deflagrating explosives like gunpowder and, you guessed it, flammable vapor clouds of normal hydrocarbons. Low yield explosives simply burn, whereas high explosives produce a shockwave that moves through the explosive source at extremely high velocity.8 When poured on the ground and ignited, gunpowder burns rather than explodes. It is well accepted today1,5 that a vapor cloud of normal hydrocarbons like propane, butane and others, when released in an open area and ignited, also simply burn. What causes a flammable vapor cloud to create overpressures? The same thing that causes overpressures with gunpowder restraint or confinement of yet unburned gunpowder under pressure from the hot, expanded combustion products. This causes the flame front to speed up until explosive overpressures are generated. Creating a confinement by rolling gunpowder in paper creates firecrackers powerful enough to blow off a finger. It is only logical that placing a large volume of flammable vapors in a confinement also creates an explosion. Unlike gunpowder, a vapor cloud does not need complete confinement on all sides. Depending on the fuel-to-air mixture, sometimes only a two-sided confinement is needed to cause overpressures. Examples of two-sided containment include the space under objects like truck trailers, elevated temporary buildings and railroad box cars. Internal explosions in three and four-sided enclosures, including buildings, are more common to vapor cloud fire sites. Four such explosions occurred north of London in December 2005 when a vapor release spread flames
Photos by Gene Allen
Photo D shows damage from a partial containment explosion that contributed to a 2005 blast in Texas City that killed 15. through 20 fuel storage tanks at the Buncefield oil depot. A good air-to-fuel mixture made these explosions particularly powerful, causing several massive long duration low pressure waves of one and two psi that traveled much further than would normally be expected. These waves buckled the walls of sheet metal buildings far from the vapor release. Other damage included broken glass windows and cracked brick facades, but mainly the waves crushed the sheet metal walls of large warehouses inward. The damage was the same at almost all of these type buildings. Facing sheet metal walls were pushed in, allowing the pressure wave to enter the building, flow through Chart 1 it, then push in the back wall. This has been seen at other vapor cloud events, such as the Southern Pacific Englewood Yard explosion in Houston, TX4. Why were these distant sheet metal buildings damaged? Sheet metal buildings tend to be big structures with large surface wall areas. Sheet metal fails at very low pressures (see Chart 1) compared to other methods of construction such as wood, brick and concrete. Containment overpressures from gunpowder can be pretty high. Otherwise a bullet just rolls out of a gun barrel. The overpressures from a containment of flammable vapors can be shocking. A containment explosion under a large trash truck container at Buncefield caused enough of a shock to the ground beneath it that a reserve water tank some 100 feet away suffered a distortion or bulging of the wall just above the tank floor. This bulging is called Elephant Foot distortion and, until now, is only caused by a fast up and down thrust of the ground during a earthquake. Now, move to the really mystical type of high pressure destructive force that has even sent the professional academics back
Photo E shows the wreckage of a boxcar after a vapor cloud explosion at a Houston railyard in September 1974. to school. The high pressure, estimated at 40 to 50 psi, wrinkled and crushed cars (see Photo C) in the open areas next to the Buncefield site. This was briefly acknowledged in the Buncefield Investigation Third Progress Report. The magnitude of the overpressures generated in the open areas of the Northgate and Fuji car parks is not consistent with current understanding of vapor cloud explosions. If low yield explosives need containment to achieve higher pressures, what interferd with the flame front in a vapor cloud enough to create an overpressure? Remember that a deflagration
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Photo F shows the wreckage from a building containment caused explosion in Jaipur, India, oil terminal in 2009.
can have high pressure without real detonation. A low pressure deflagration occurs at about 10 psi, medium deflagration at about 50 psi and a high pressure deflagration at about 300 psi. Between 10 to 15 psi destroys a typical structure (see Chart 1). When vapors ignite, the expansion pushes unburned gas ahead of the flame front. The flow ahead of the flame causes a layer of turbulence. That turbulence enhances the burning rate1, increasing the flame speed and the pressure in the reaction zone of the flame front. When other geometrical conditions and obstructions are introduced, more pressure increases in the flame reaction zone. Because this zone travels with the flame front, it applies this high pressure to any obstruction in the vapor cloud as the front hits it, passes over and then pushes from the rear. As a result, the obstruction is damaged on all sides not just the front side. At Buncefield, the most common obstructions were cars. It is clear that the pressures were in excess of 35 psi because on some cars tires were deflated. The flame front pressures were high enough to push the side wall of the tires, with an internal pressure of about 35 psi, off the rims. Yet the flame front was so fast that only some of the cars were set on fire. Only objects in the vapor cloud were wrecked like these cars. Other cars 100 feet outside the vapor cloud received minor damage. With a normal explosion, the pressure is reduced only by increasing the distance. It cannot go from 50 psi to one or two psi in 100 feet. The only way pressure can drop that fast is a flame front reaction zone. The high pressure stopped at the edge of the vapor cloud like a miraculous gift. Previous Investigations My experience includes the onsite investigation of seven large vapor cloud losses and detailed studies of nine more VCEs. The onsite investigations were to develop recommendations prevent future releases and to minimize damage from similar types of release. These site visits included large vapor cloud events in hydrocarbon processing plants, tank farm overfills such as Buncefield in 20052 and New Jersey in 19834 and transportation events outside of processing plants. Flixborough Historically, the first widely studied hydrocarbon based vapor cloud loss involved the 1974 destruction of the Nypro Chemical plant in Flixborough, UK 1. A hastily formed acronym Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosion (UVCE) was developed to describe the underestimated phenomenon. About 20 years ago, after several more fire cloud explosion losses, the term was quietly changed by dropping the word unconfined for a new term, Vapor Cloud Explosion (VCE). Newer losses clearly indicated that there were almost no unconfined vapor explosions 5 . Therefore, damage was attributable to something else. The Texas City VCE On March 23, 2005, a series of explosions occurred at the BP Texas City refinery during the restart of a hydrocarbon isomerization unit (see Photo D). Fifteen workers were killed and
Photos by Gene Allen
Photo G shows highway tankers rudely rearranged by a partial containment explosion from a vapor release in Newark, NJ.
Photo H shows how the Buncefield vapor explosion obliterated a brick fire pump building, leaving the pump in the open. 10
180 others were injured. All of the fatalities were in work trailers located downwind of the atmospheric vent stack. The explosions occurred when a distillation tower flooded with hydrocarbons and was overfilled, causing a geyser-like release from the vent stack. The vapors drifted under the trailers, resulting in a partial containment explosion powerful enough to turn the wooden trailers into a pile of broken splinters, but without igniting a fire. The Houston VCE At the Englewood railroad yard, a 38,000 gallon Butadiene rail tanker was damaged in a collision with an empty tank car. When the flame front ignited, captured vapors under the box car (see photo E) resulted in a partial containment explosion powerful enough to blow the floor upward and out the top of the boxcar. The walls of the car collapsed on either side. The Newark VCE A 70,000 gallon overfill of a storage tank in Newark, NJ2, created a vapor cloud that spread across a large parking lot and into an adjacent facility before reaching an ignition point (see Photo G). The partial containment explosion under empty aluminum gasoline road transport trailers flipped one backwards and pushed another upright. The last tanker was only partially in the cloud. It was badly deformed at the front but had no damage to the thin aluminum parts at the rear. The damage went from extremely severe to zero damage in a distance of only three feet down the side of the tank. The Buncefield VCE After the release of about 140,000 gallons of gasoline from a tank, there were at least five enclosures that exploded at the Buncefield2 terminal vapor cloud loss. The vapors entered the adjacent terminals fire protection water pump building constructed from red hollow tile bricks. When the flame front reached the vapors in the building, it exploded. This produced low pressure waves that damaged sheet metal buildings nearly 500 feet away and left the pump and diesel driver in the open (see Photo H). Note that the building that once housed the pump is completely gone. The Jaipur India VCE A drastic example of a building-containment caused explosion is the structures damaged at the terminal in Jaipur, India, in 2009 (see Photo F). The terminal had a large release of gasoline from a pipeline next to a storage tank. Gasoline vapor cloud spread into many buildings with ignition more than one hour later. The buildings exploded when the flame front reached them, damaging other objects in the areas. PDVSA, Amuay Refinery in August A suspected massive leak of an LPG mixed material created a large vapor cloud that extended outside the tank farm into the local community in two different areas. The crushing effects on the flame front reaction zone were seen on the vapor space of the open top floating roof tank (see Photo B).
Caribbean Petroleum San Juan Puerto Rico A vapor cloud from a gasoline tank overfill not only ignited 12 tanks but caused the vapor space on several tanks to be crushed in by the flame front reaction zone (see Photo A). What Are the Two Major Destruction Mechanisms? In the flame front reaction zone, massive pressures envelop objects inside the vapor cloud with the crushing effects from all sides. This is seen in the crushing of the vapor space of storage tanks and oil drums. Containment of the flammable vapors from partial or complete containment can cause the vapors to explode with pressures that wreck the surrounding area and equipment. Containment can include: Partial confinement in a building or a shed with a roof and some open walls. Partial confinement beneath a building or structure that is elevated two to three feet off the ground, even if all sides are open. When the vapors enter a building or complete enclosure. Something Can Be Done Limit the damage in a processing plant by removing the buildings and enclosures or by keeping the vapor out any structure that must be within the expected vapor cloud area. 1. Remove empty buildings, sheds or enclosures that vapors can enter or get under. 2. Structures that must stay (such as control rooms and motor control center buildings) should close doors, windows and other openings and should be pressurized with air from an elevated source. C
REFERENCES 1. Lewis, D. J. Unconfined vapor cloud explosions, Prog. Energy Comb. Sci. Vol. 6, pp 151 - 165. 2. Buncefield Major Incident Investigation, and transfer depot, Report to the Health and Safety Commission and the Environment Agency of the investigation into the explosions and fires at the Buncefield oil storage and transfer depot, Hemel Hempstead, on Dec. 11, 2005 Buncefield Major Incident Investigation, 13 July 2006. 3. Hazardous Materials Accident at the Southern Pacific Transportation Companys Englewood Yard in Houston , TX, Sept. 21, 1974 NTSB Report Number: RAR-75-07. 4. Bouchard, J.K. Gasoline Storage Tank Explosion and Fire: Newark, NJ, January 7, 1983. National Fire Protection Association Summary Investigation Report. 5. AIChE Guidelines for Chemical Process Quantitative Risk Analysis (2nd Edition) 2000. 2.2.1. Vapor Cloud Explosions (VCE) 2.2.1.1. 6. Wingerden, K. Etal, Detonations in pipes and in the open, Bergen, Norway. 7. Allen, G, Limit the damage from a vapor cloud loss, HPI Safety, Security and Environment 2011. Gene Allen joined the Oil Insurance Association after graduating from Texas A&M University as a loss prevention engineer in 1974. He has been involved with loss prevention activities at refining, manufacturing, storage and distribution facilities.
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Vapor release at a Gulf Coast plant threatens neighboring oil refinery
By ANTON RIECHER IFW Editor oet Robert Frost wrote that good fences make good neighbors. But no fence is good enough to keep a sulfuric acid vapor release at one industrial facility from drifting onto neighboring property, such as an oil refinery. In late 2011, a large refinery located on the U.S. Gulf Coast was on the receiving end of not one, but two sulfur dioxide vapor releases in as many days, both originating from a fertilizer plant next door, the refinery fire chief told colleagues at a recent corporate gathering. We have approximately 3,000 contractors at the refinery on a daily basis, the chief said. A lot of people were in the outside environment. The chiefs presentation covered procedures in effect at the refinery, which is spread over hundreds of acres, to notify and protect workers during the vapor release emergency. At about 5:30 p.m., the first of the two releases occurred. Air monitoring by refinery personnel detected approximately nine parts per million of SO2 in the area, the chief said. Based on that release, we had some interaction with the fertilizer facility to try to improve communication with them, the refinery chief said. That was one of our big challenges letting them know we were involved. A foggy morning greeted refinery personnel the next day, with temperatures about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavy traffic moved along a state highway that separates the fertilizer plant from the refinery. 12
At 8:50 a.m. the fertilizer plant suffered a shut down of its sulfuric acid unit with significant release to the atmosphere. The prevailing wind normally blows from the southeast, which would have taken the vapor plume into a residential area. However, the wind that day was out of the northwest, directing the vapor toward the refinery. That meant we had to deal with it, the refinery fire chief said. It would be at least three minutes more before the refinery was notified of the leak. Communications problems were immediately apparent, the chief said. Instead of speaking to the shift supervisor who becomes the incident commander in a toxic release situation, the staff physician at the refinerys wharf facility got the notification. The shift supervisor was in his morning planning meeting, the fire chief said. When he didnt answer his cell phone, the call rolled over to another number. When the chief learned about the release he contacted the fertilizer plants safety officer. Surprisingly, he knew nothing about the situation. I said, Weve got a lot of activity, the chief said. Weve got a vapor release coming our way. Were getting reports of odors in the air. At 8:58 a.m., surveillance video still showed steady traffic on the state highway separating the plants. Thankfully, the refinery has the authority to close it if the situation warrants. That alone was a major ordeal, the fire chief said. The lack of information forced the chiefs next action. He contacted the shift supervisor to urge immediate activation of the refinerys toxic acid release procedures.
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What that meant was turning on the emergency horn and having all the contractors go to their mustering points, the chief said. The path to those mustering points is hardly direct. With the wind from the northwest, the contractors were instructed to move at a 90 degree angle away from the release in order to get upwind, the chief said. Once they reached the mustering points, buses were brought in to transport the contractors out of the facility. As for personnel working indoors, an announcement was made via radio to shelter-in-place. Management then proceeded to shut down the air handlers in each building, the chief said. The protocol for shutting down air handlers throughout the refinery worked in some cases and didnt work in others, the chief said. We are working on a new protocol. Not all control rooms throughout the facility came up to standard as a shelter-in-place location, he said. That has also been addressed. Although procedures had been discussed a great deal prior to the event, there had never been a drill conducted to cover these contingencies, the chief said. There was a lot of uncertainty, he said. Everything was in question.
No respiratory distress was reported. We didnt have anyone go to the clinic.
Communication issues continued to arise because not everyone on site received word about the release. Not all contractors were equipped with radios. Also, not everyone heard the circa-1960s steam-driven emergency horn when it sounded. Due to the wind direction, people in the tank field and the wharf area couldnt hear the horn blow, the chief said. About an hour after the first report of the release, perimeter monitoring indicated it was safe to sound the all-clear signal. Officials restarted the air handlers and allowed those sheltering inside to venture outdoors. All contractors evacuated from the facility were allowed to return to their work. No respiratory distress was reported, the chief said. We didnt have anyone go to the clinic. In the wake of the emergency, improved communication has received most of the attention, he said. More options exist to reach the shift supervisor in a crisis. The refinerys main gate is now staffed around the clock as a central point of communications. In future, all contractors will be given company radios. A new notification system is being developed to better integrate the emergency horn, radios and computer options, the chief said. It will be a big update from the days when one blast meant run and two blasts meant hide, he said. C
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Photos courtesy of Elwood FPD
Below, Elwood (IL) Fire Protection Districts new 3,000 gpm Sutphen pumper. At right, EFPDs 110-foot Sutphen tower ladder with a 2,000 gpm pump and 2,000 gpm monitor.
At right, EFPDs 2,000 gpm Sutphen fire pumper is put through its paces.
Small town firefighters protect big chunk of Illinois economy
PARTNERS
By ANTON RIECHER IFW Editor 14
INDUSTRIAL
hanks to a substantial industrial base, Elwood, IL, population 2,200, might boast the best equipped fire protection district per capita of any community in the United States. Although modest in population, Elwood Fire Protection District (EFPD) also protects an expansive industrial area, and the district makes certain it has the equipment for the many facets of industrial fire protection. Soon, that will include a brand new 3,000 gpm pumper to be delivered in September, said Fire Chief Bill Offerman. Were primarily an industrial fire department. We always have been, Offerman said. Functioning as a separate government entity from Will County and its municipalities, the 37-square-mile EFPD covers the 238,000 barrels per day ExxonMobil refinery in Channahon Township; the 633-acre Stepan Chemical plant; a 1,350-megawatt electric generating station; a 3.4-million-square-foot Wal-Mart distribution center; plus another 6.6 million square feet of distribution facilities. EFPD also protects the Burlington Northern Sante Fe 780-acre rail yard at CenterPoint inland port which ranks as the largest intermodal rail facility in the country. Offerman, a firefighter with 31 years experience, has been the EFPD chief for 17 years. One of the first actions he took after accepting the job was a risk analysis of the entire fire district. Our greatest exposure was our industrial facilities. It wasnt
just a hazard to the community but also to the departments personnel. We purchase vehicles and equipment based on job specific criteria and the safety of our employees, Offerman said. Although ExxonMobil and Stepan Company have their own in-house fire brigades, the kind of emergencies possible at these facilities demand a rapid response with apparatus specifically suited to the task. It takes more than one department to deal with emergencies like these, Offerman said. Just as the EFPD is a great asset to the industrial community, the districts industrial tax base is a benefit to our residents and small businesses, as well. If we only had our residential and small commercial business tax base, wed have about 14 percent of our current budget. Wed be a volunteer department with a two-bay station and aging equipment, Offerman said. Instead, the EFPD provides full-time fire protection, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and emergency medical services with ample equipment and apparatus. We are able to provide much better service for our customers, Offerman said. Offerman does not discuss the specifics of EFPD responses to industrial facilities. But the district has assisted with a fire in a 175-foot diameter storage tank, leaks including hydrofluoric and sulfuric acid, naptha fires, underground pipeline leaks and a rupture in a 700 psi hydrogen line. When it is necessary to involve the press, we work out a
press release and issue a unified message with the affected industrial facility. Providing an accurate, consistent message helps to build trust and confidence with the public and industry, Offerman said. However, Offerman quickly provides examples of how the districts apparatus inventory can be brought to bear against the kind of fire typical to any community, such as burning warehouses. In my early years, it was common for fire departments to flow 500 gpm nozzles with a straight bore tip. Now weve got a 110foot tower that can flow 2,200 gpm. Its not an industrial tower, but its as big as we can justify for general commercial and residential use. ExxonMobil has an industrial tower that can flow 4,000 gpm, Offerman said. Operating from one fire station in Elwood, the EFPD has two engines a 1,750 gpm 1997 Freightliner and a 2,000 gpm 2004 Sutphen, both equipped with National Foam Servo Command foam proportioning systems. The Freightliner is being sold to make way for a new 3,000 gpm Sutphen in September. We installed a SKUM nozzle on the engine that will flow 1,000-to-5,000 gpm. On a calm day it will deliver a water stream 426 feet, Offerman said. Pushed to the limit during testing with the same type pumper as the EFPD uses, the SKUM flowed 5,900 gpm that traveled a distance of 600 feet. With the new engine added to its fleet, EFPD will be able to flow foam at a rate of 9,000 gpm, Offerman said. Continued on Page 24
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Modern technology allows water tank inspections without taking the tank out of service first
At left, a remote operated vehicle used for inspecting water tanks without having to drain them or take the tank out of service. Below, control unit used to maneuver the inspection ROV.
By ERIKA HENDERSON
Director of Research Pittsburg Tank & Tower
ater tank failures can be prevented but only with proper care and maintenance. When minor deficiencies go unnoticed, they often evolve into major structural deficiencies. Getting a tank inspected is the first step to preventing damage and extending the life of the water tank. The list of items, deficiencies and code updates to look for during an inspection can easily become overwhelming; therefore, a licensed professional tank inspection company should be contacted to conduct these inspections. 16
There are many different types of tanks and each should be designed and inspected for its specific purpose. The two main types of water tanks are potable and fire protection. A fire protection water tank is used only for fire protection and must follow all National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. A potable water tank is used for drinking water and follows American Water Works Association (AWWA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and sometimes NFPA standards because a portion of the water is also reserved for fire protection. Other state specific standards may also need to be followed.
Tanks should also be designed and inspected not only for their specific purpose, but also for the area where they are located. Water tanks located above the isothermal line or in any area that may produce freezing temperatures must also be protected from freezing. A frost-proof drain valve is needed in these locations, and some valves need to be inspected daily during the winter months to make sure they have not frozen or cracked. A frost proof drain valve is a double valve construction that allows the inner chamber to drain completely before the outer valve is closed. Valves and controls should also be checked regularly to ensure function. Valve location can also affect how often
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they should be checked. Flapper valves on the overflow should move freely because sometimes leaves and paint chips can get stuck in the overflow pipe or screen. If the overflow pipe were to become clogged, the water level would back up and continue to rise in the tank, causing the tank to overflow the access hatch or vent. Should the vent become clogged or frozen as well, pressure could build, causing the tank to eventually burst or collapse. The vent should be pressurevacuumed and frost proof with the screens clear of debris or other obstructions. Most important, fire protection tanks must be heated, and according to NFPA 22, the heating shall be of such capacity that the temperature of the coldest water is maintained at or above 42 degree Fahrenheit during the coldest weather. The coldest weather temperature shall be based on the lowest mean temperature for one day. This can be achieved by heating and insulating the tank, and it can be monitored by installing a low-water temperature alarm. NFPA 25 contains several recommendations on valve inspections and a helpful chart that lists when each type of valve should be inspected. In the past, the only way to inspect the interior of a water tank was to take it outof-service and drain. This method is still used today, however, it requires the loss of purchased water and the expense associated with refilling the tank. It leaves the system vulnerable with no water or fire protection reserves. Tank owners and inspection companies are put under stress due to the strict time constraints of having the tank out of service, and caution must also be taken when draining a tank. If the water is drained too quickly, it can create a vacuum and cause serious catastrophic damage. Whenever a tank needs to be drained for an inspection or isolated from the system, a pressure relief valve should be installed. If over-pressurization occurs, the valve temporarily pops open thereby relieving the pressure. The gate valve that isolates the water tank should be located and the relief valve installed on the fire hydrant, making sure that the location has good drainage for the excess water. The pressure in the system should be closely 18
monitored, and the relief valves should be checked and adjusted if necessary. After the tank is drained, the qualified inspector enters the tank and inspects every aspect. The floor and foundation are checked for settling, stability and leaks. The thickness of the steel and corrosion level are tested. Ladders, platforms and lights will be checked for safety and prevention of vandalism and unauthorized access into the tank. Overflows, manholes, and vents are inspected to make sure they meet all required codes and work sufficiently. After the drained inspection is complete, tank owners should confirm the check valves are working properly and shutting off at appropriate times. Conduct a simple hydrostatic pressure test by shutting off the valve and filling the tank with water. Turn the pumps off and see if the check valve opens at the correct time. The float valve and gauge can be tested at the same time. When the tank fills, make sure the float valve moves properly and closes, and the check valve opens to allow the tank to drain. Later, tank companies decided to incorporate diving operations to make tank inspections more convenient for the customers. Tanks do not have to be drained and no water is lost with the diving inspection operation. Sometimes underwater cameras are used to photograph areas of concern, and the diver can touch parts of the tank to determine its condition. This method is time saving, but it also brings with it a liability. A confined space permit is needed and lockout/tag out procedures are required. The divers safety and health are at risk if the diving equipment fails or the diver experiences problems. Sanitation is also a concern when something enters the tank. Now, modern technology allows tank inspections to be completed without downtime, liability or water loss by using a ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle). The ROV inspection does not require draining the tank. Lockout/tag out procedures and confined space permits are not needed because no one enters the tank. The ROV is equipped with lights and a color camera controlled by qualified inspection personnel trained to use the equipment. The ROV is disinfected with a solution. Then, it is lowered into the tank by a tether
and moved about by thrusters and propellers, so sedimentation is not stirred. The ROV has front and rear propellers that allow it to move forward or backward. The vertical and horizontal thrusters allow it to stop or turnabout easily. This allows live viewing of the inspection through a ground monitor as the inspection is performed. The ROV should include a DVD of the inspection with photographs and recommendations. All aspects of the tank should be inspected for structural, safety and coating conditions in accordance with NFPA, AWWA, OSHA and EPA standards. Vents, screens, manways, overflows, ladders and drain valves are also inspected to prevent unauthorized access by people, insects or animals. A written inspection report includes a detailed evaluation, photographs, recommendations of needed repairs, code updates, and a detailed cost estimate for each item. Water tanks must be inspected and cleaned periodically to maintain an optimal system. Many water tanks accumulate sedimentation on the floor or bowl of the tank. Removing sediment prevents sanitation problems and other complications that may result from sludge build up. A fire sprinkler system that pumps sediment and rust instead of water is not effective. The loss of a few sprinkler heads could result in a system failure, causing loss of property and life. Two options are possible for cleanouts, drained or robotic. If a drained cleaning is requested, then the sediment is removed and placed in owner-supplied containers. If a robotic inspection is requested, then the robot is lowered into the tank and the sediment is suctioned out of the tank via hose and brushes. Thanks to modern technology and innovative services, tank inspections and cleanouts can be performed without draining or taking the tank out of service. Tank inspections can be stress free and convenient. The inspection report alone is not enough to ensure a safe and healthy environment to store water, but it does provide crucial information needed to do so. Items and deficiencies listed in the inspection report must be addressed and corrected to maintain a safe and optimal C operating tank.
UNDERSTANDING FIRE
Responders flock to Texas A&M for annual fire school
rayton Fire Training Field in College Station, TX, was a hotbed of activity in July, with more participants this year at all three weeklong summer fire training schools. This is the first time since 2005 that all three summer schools have seen an increase in attendance in a single year, said Harvie Cheshire with TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute. This is also the first time since 1994, when I first started at TEEX, that all five Annual Schools Spring School, Arson Seminar, Spanish School, Industrial School and Municipal School saw an increase in attendance in a single year. On July 15 to 20, the Annual Industrial Fire Continued on Page 23
Photos by Peet Bighorse
Above, firefighters work from the upper level of a burning prop. Below, a prop is ignited at night at Texas A&M Universitys Brayton Fire Training Field.
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Photo by Anton Riecher
Photo by Peet Bighorse
Center, upper level of burning prop. Clockwise, from left to top, firefighters working various props. Above and immediate right, large volume nozzles deliver flow into TEEX test pond. 20 20
INDUSTRIAL FIRE FIRE WORLD WORLD INDUSTRIAL
Center, pipe rack prop ignites. At left, night burns at TEEX. At top, flares tossed during night drill. Above, at right, staying hydrated. At right, piper plays at instructor memorial services.
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Real vs. Prop

Students attending the annual Industrial Fire School at Texas A&M compare battling a geniune emergency blaze to the controlled livefire training at Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station, TX
Photos by Anton Riecher
Nicole Jacks Industrial Emergency Services Baton Rouge Full-time firefighter At time, there is no difference between the training prop and a real fire. You can get hurt here if youre not paying attention. Unfortunately, thats the mistake that some people make This is just training, so I cant get hurt.
David Romero Calumet Specialty Shreveport, LA Electrician and firefighter I went to a house fire once when I was a volunteer firefighter in high school. These prop fires are similar to the real thing but thankfully were just doing exteriors. Nobody has to go rushing into a burning house.
John Sadoy Citgo Lake Charles, LA Safety coordinator and firefighter 10 months with fire brigade. This was my first time to put on the SCBA pack, then fighting the fire. It was a little challenging, a little different. This was only my second time at one of these schools. It was a learning experience.
Josh Capehart Western Refining Bloomfield, NM Regional safety officer for terminals and pipelines The exciting part of training using the live-fire props is you get to sample a different aspect of fire fighting with each burn, from valve shutoff to handling running LP. Im getting to do a little of every job there is. 22
INDUSTRIAL FIRE FIRE WORLD WORLD INDUSTRIAL
Christian Nuradalx PCS Nitrogen Trinidad & Tobago Operator and voluntary firefighter 7 years on ERT We deal with fertilizers. The one real fire I have fought was pretty bad, a hydrogen fire in one of the plants. Here there is control. These are controlled fires. There is nothing like this fire school in my country.
Joyce Ryan Citgo Lake Charles, LA Tank farm operator and firefighter 17 years with fire brigade. The difference between a livefire prop and a real fire is with a real fire you cant just signal the fuel man to shut it down. The training we receive at TEEX fire school prepares us for when we have to finish the job ourselves.
Edison Sagram PCS Nitrogen Trinidad & Tobago Operator and voluntary firefighter This is my first time to visit the fire school here. I have never fought a real fire before. The first fire I fought here for training was a little bit challenging. I asked a lot of questions.
Photos courtesy of Texas Engineering Extension Service
Above, at left, Woody Cole, center, accepts the Henry D. Smith Award at the annual industrial fire school at Texas A&M. Cole is an industrial fire school instructor. Above, at right, Rick Isaacks, center, greater Houston area territory manager with Williams Fire & Hazard Control, accepts the W.H. Lauderback Award. Joining the winners is Emergency Services Training Institute director Robert Moore, left, and industrial school operations chief Lee Ray Kaderli.
Understanding
Continued from page 19 School celebrated its 50th anniversary, attracting more than 760 industrial firefighters and safety officers the most since 1996. Attendees were members of industrial emergency response brigades and safety officers from some of the worlds largest oil, gas and chemical companies from across the globe. Eighteen courses were offered with the assistance of 205 guest instructors. The 83rd Municipal Fire Training School, held July 22 to 27, drew 1,923 students and 506 guest instructors and safety officers. The 46th Escuela para Bomberos en Espaol drew 750 students
from 19 countries for a week of training in fire fighting, rescue and hazardous materials as well as instructor training in Spanish. During each school, a solemn ceremony honored tenured guest instructors at the fire schools who died during the previous year. Each name is engraved on the Guest Instructors Memorial Wall at the Brayton Fire Training Field. On July 25, fire fighting skills and rescue techniques were demonstrated on some of the largest fire fighting props for the public by TEEX staff and guest instructors. We are already planning for 2013 as we wrap up the 2012 schools and eagerly await what 2013 holds in store for the Annual Schools Programs, Cheshire said. C
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Elwood
Continued from Page 15 Like the fire brigade at ExxonMobil, the Elwood Fire Protection District prefers Sutphen pumpers equipped with National Foam Servo Command foam proportioning systems. We can operate each others equipment; it really provides for a seamless operation, Offerman said. Leading the fleet inventory is a 110-foot Sutphen tower ladder with a 2,000 gpm pump and two 1,000 gpm monitors. As with the two engines, the tower is equipped with five-inch large diameter hose. As if carrying LDH was not enough to prove the EFPDs industrial credentials, the districts apparatus responds with 1,600 gallons of Class B foam at their immediate command and another 600 gallons in reserve at the station. Stepen keeps a couple of thousand gallons on hand and ExxonMobil has about 25,000 gallons, Offerman said. EFPD firefighters also utilize two ambulances, a tender with 2,500 gallons of water and 1,000 gallons of Class B foam, a brush truck and a rescue squad. On hand to operate this treasure trove of fire gear is a full-time staff of 19 personnel and six part-time employees. We train a minimum of three hours a day on fire and rescue and two hours a day on EMS. We recently purchased a $30,000 advanced cardiac life support mannequin that we use to perform the vast majority of our EMS functions intravenous therapy, blood pressure, lung sounds, etc., Offerman said. The mannequin is so advanced that the students can actually talk to it during the procedure. Paramedics are video recorded while they train so that their communications and medical techniques can be evaluated. Staying current on procedures that may not be called for on a daily basis is essential, he said. The EFPD also trains with local industrial partners whenever possible, he said. ExxonMobil has a flammable liquids fire field complete with a smoke tower. We train with their firefighters to make sure our organizations are integrated and work well together, Offerman said. Likewise, the EFPD trains with Stepans fire brigade and the BNSF railroad facility. Our railroad facility is almost 800 acres and truck traffic can reach 11,000 trucks a day through the industrial park, Offerman said Every year, a team of four EFPD responders accompany ExxonMobil firefighters who visit the Texas Engineering Extension Services Emergency Service Training Institute for specialized training in industrial fire fighting. EFPD personnel are also on hand when Stepen firefighters practice mitigating vaporing acids in the desert at Yucca Flats, NV. Stepen also includes EFPD responders when it visits the USS Lexington, a retired aircraft carrier on display in Corpus Christi, TX, used to practice high angle and confined space rescue. We also go to the BNSF emergency response training center 24
in Pueblo, CO, and work with railcar incidents, Offerman said. Cooperation between EFPD and local industrial brigades extends to the district firefighters being directly tied into the pager system for ExxonMobil and Stepan. As soon as they have an incident they notify us. Even if they have some serious maintenance beginning, they notify us so we can prepare for the hazards, Offerman said. During Offermans 17-year administration, the EFPDs burden of fire risk has ebbed and flowed with the changing economic tides of the region. In the mid-1990s the federal government closed the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, site of the communitys worst industrial accident on record. In June 1942 a massive explosion on the assembly line of what was then known as the Joliet Arsenal killed nearly 50 people. The plant had two fire stations of its own when it closed, Offerman said. Another plant complete with its own brigade was lost when Peoples Gas closed a synthetic natural gas blending station used to supplement the Chicago area. At one time our district had six fire stations, five of which were industrial partners, Offerman said. The chiefs influence as a firefighter reaches far beyond his fire district. In May, he spent 15 days in Russia as part of the U.S. State Departments Legislative Fellows Exchange, a program that gives American participants the opportunity to broaden their professional expertise. I met with mayors and city administrators, finance directors, the equivalent of our state legislature and federal government. I lectured three days on economics, foreign affairs and the effects of globalization at their university, Offerman said. Offerman, who also serves as Elwood Village President, at one time taught at Loyola University. He holds an Associates Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration. Im writing my dissertation for a doctorate in business administration, he added. Working with the Federal Highway Administration, Offerman helped develop the current (TIM) Traffic Incident Management System, a variation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). During the last five years, he has worked with the FHWAs EMS group and the EMS Foundation in studying ambulance rollover hazards, making a trip to Germany for research. Many EMS providers and patients have been seriously injured due to loose equipment moving around inside an ambulance during a crash. In the last five years weve seen a real transition towards fastening everything down, Offerman said. In particular, regulators are focusing on fastening down patient cots inside the vehicle. Youre seeing a transition to rigid cot systems that lock in all four corners so the patient is better secured, he said. As for his work with the EFPD, Offerman says it is important to continually evaluate risks to citizens, property and first responders. Change the way business is done when a better way is found. Communicate and participate with other agencies. It is our responsibility to make sure every one comes home safe.C
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EMS CORNER
When havoc drifts toward you

By WILLIAM R. KERNEY, MA, EMTP (Ret.)/College of Southern Nevada
Vapor clouds can be dangerous. Responders never want vapors wafting toward them when pulling up to an emergency. When threatened by a vapor cloud, standard rules should always apply. Protect oneself, contain the incident and stay up wind and on high ground for a start. With a vapor release, calculate the rate of movement and change assessment of hot, warm and cold zones based on that movement. A standard diagram: bleach with ammonia in your washing machine? I have, not knowing my wife had already added ammonia in the machine. I put bleach into a load of whites and was nearly killed by the green cloud of chloramine. For you chemists and my IFW colleague John Townsend, it comes down to 2NH3 + Cl2 2NH2Cl. In general, identify the chemical compound creating the cloud. However, for EMS providers, this is not essential in the short term. Initial responses must include removing the victims from the contaminated atmosphere and administering oxygen, as long as there is no immediate danger to the EMS providers themselves. Remember, your safety is first. Hazardous Materials Classifications are as such: Explosives Toxic & Infectious Substances Gas Radioactive Materials Flammable Liquids Corrosives (100 degrees F or less, Miscellaneous closed cup) Dangerous Goods Other Flammable Oxidizing Substances Substances & Organic Peroxides Any of these substances above have the potential for the formation of a vapor cloud. Much of that depends on altitude, boiling point, density and evaporation rates. What is a good EMS provider to do when pulling up on a vapor cloud in progress? What is the substance? What are the chemical properties? Stay away, contain the incident, notify hazmat and get further help started into the scene. Keep others away as well. Assist in containing the incident without compromising personal safety if possible. When substance identification is not readily available, find high ground upwind. I have seen a chief officer stage his personnel in a low-lying area, only to have to move them quickly. The vapor proved to be chlorine, which is heavier (denser) than air. An ugly pale blue cloud sank into the low-lying staging area. Remember you are responsible for your own safety. Always question orders that may be problematic. When dealing with vapor cloud victims, common issues include inhalation injuries and eye and skin contamination or contact. The injuries sustained will depend on the chemical, the physical closeness of the incident and length of exposure. Triage may be necessary depending on the volume of victims. Inhalation signs and symptoms may include: Respiratory distress including related chest tightening (chest pain and dyspnea), laryngospasm and airway constriction. Increased respiratory rates and possible cyanosis are expected. Increased lacrimal secretions (tearing) and rhinitis (runny nose). Corrosive chemical burns to the nose and mouth. Continued on Page 36
With a vapor cloud, responders end up with a more elongated safety zone:
This is a major problem for extinguishment and rescue in handling the incident. It also challenges the police charged with the evacuation and movement of the citizenry. Containment of an industrial facility may be simple based on physical barriers. The vapor cloud may not drift to a surrounding community. An uncontained vapor cloud release increases the overall risk for potential injury to the adjacent civic areas. Vapor clouds come in all shapes and sizes. They can be made up of a variety of materials, all readily found in industrial complexes, aboard ships, and even resulting from mishaps in the home. Have you ever made the mistake of combining chlorine 26
Darleys new ZS 3000 pump delivers record flow for emergency responders
The pump can be rated at 2500 to 3000 gpm for NFPA 1901 pumper applications and as a 3,000 to 3,500 gpm pump for ARFF, industrial and fire boat ratings. A two-gear power take-off configuration offers an integrated automatic priming system that can draft from two eight-inch suction hoses at a 10-inch lift in less than 30 seconds. To generate its maximum flow, the ZS 3000 requires a 500 horsepower engine, Darley said. In the industrial world, that is not a problem, he said. Any make or model engine that will do 500 horsepower is good with us. Design work on the new pump involved developing a transmission capable of handling the increased energy, an automatic priming system and a positive pressure lubrication system that is patient pending, Darley said. The new Mega-Trans transmission is not the usual cast iron casing but aluminum to help keep the weight down, Darley said. It is a rather large transmission compared to the compact but high torque transmissions weve done in the past but it offers the highest torque on the market, surpassing our Magna Trans which is rated at over 1,900 foot pounds . Automatic priming is provided by a belt driven primer that utilizes an actuator, he said. You push a button at the start to prime it and you can walk away, Darley said. If the pump were ever to lose prime, that belt is on a clutch system that would kick in to re-prime it without the operator having to touch it. Continued on Page 33
Ceiling Shattered
F
or decades, the performance ceiling for compact mobile apparatus fire pumps has been 2,000 gpm. W.S. Darley & Companys new ZS 3000 pump shatters that ceiling with flows in excess of 3,400 gpm. With a lift, the pump is actually rated at a 3,500 gpm industrial rating, said Jason Darley, accounts manager for the North American pump division. Using positive intake pressure, it will do more than 4,000 gpm. As for industrial use, with a pressurized source the sky is the limit. At 100 psi or higher, Darleys new ZS pump is the highest flow pump available on the market today, Darley said. At 240 psi, the ZS 3000 produces the 2,650 gpm required to meet a special international rating. Darley introduced its first direct drive version of the pump at Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in 2011. It introduced a midship version at the 2012 FDIC in April. There is a PTO drive available and we are working on the engine drive version which will be a big thing for industrial users, Darley said.
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Incident Log
Italicized items denote fatalities
Visit www.fireworld.com for full list and links to more information on each incident.
August 1 Accra, Ghana: Fire swept through 3 warehouses in an industrial district. Bayonne, NJ: An explosion ignited a turbine fire at a co-generation power plant. Bettendorf, IL: Welding work was underway when a fire ignited in a steel plant building separate from the main structure. Cleveland, TX: Decon was suspended when a suspected hazmat turned out to be a common surfactant. Clermont-sous-Huy, Belgium: An acid leak at a plant making explosive powders became a major hazmat incident. Frankfort, NY: A garden implements factory undergoing an asbestos abatement process caught fire. Ghent, NY: Fire destroyed a plant for dismantling electrical transformers Kahuku, HI: Fire destroyed a battery building, shutting down a wind farm. Louisville, KY: An unexpected chemical reaction at a polymers plant triggered an immediate evacuation. Moorhead, MN: Fire broke out at a factory making egg cartons from recycled paper that suffered a major fire in March. Mount Vernon, OH: A former electrical equipment plant being demolished caught fire. Ningbo, China: Fire broke out in a renewable resources plant leaving 1 person dead and 18 others injured. Seattle, WA: A 2-gallon spill of chemicals used to bleach pulp and wood products temporarily shut down an interstate. Taizhou, China: An explosion ignited a fire in a warehouse at an electroplating plant. Topeka, KS: Fire broke out in the biomass boiler at a snack chip factory. August 2 Chauk, Myanmar: A gas explosion occurred in a hydrogen peroxide chemical plant. Dordogne, France: Fire broke out on the roof of a factory making decorative plastic panels. Franklin, OH: A factory worker suffered minor injuries when he was splashed with acid while off-loading a tanker. Greensboro, NC: A commercial truck delivered a load that spread fire when it was dumped at a recycling plant. Laverton North, Australia: Fire destroyed a paper and plastics recycling plant. Lawrence, MA: Firefighters applied water to cool an unexpectedly hot exothermic reaction at an adhesives plant. Tulsa, OK: An explosion and fire that erupted at an oil refinery took out that facilitys only diesel hydrotreater. Urbana, IL: Sprinklers helped control a machine fire at a plastic cup plant. Vlez de Benaudalla, Spain: A worker at a fireworks factory died in an explosion. August 3
Coahuila, Mexico: 6 miners died in a coal mine collapse. Coquitlam, BC: Roofing workers accidentally set fire to the top of a meat processing plant. Liberty Lake, WA: 2 people were hospitalized after exposure to toxic smoke during a fire at a factory making custom parts for the oil and gas industry. Mahshahr, Iran: A fire at a petrochemical plant killed 1 person and injured a dozen others. Melbourne, Australia: A paper and plastic recycling plant is at risk of collapse after a massive fire. Nashville, TN: Fire crews quickly extinguished a fork lift fire at a bottling plant. New Oxford, PA: A lightning strike triggered the 2nd fire reported at a corrugator plant in a single day. Samarinda, Indonesia: An oil barge explosion killed 2 crew members. Shenzhen, China: A port was evacuated when cyanamide was found leaking from a ship. Sherman, TX: A fire in a refrigerated delivery truck spread to a beverage plant. August 4 Haywood, WV: 2 people were transported to a hospital by helicopter after receiving burns in a power plant accident. Rheda-Wiedenbrck, Germany: For the 4th time in 14 months a meat processing plant leaked ammonia, this time injuring 16 people. August 5 Bridgeport, CT: Fire broke out at the former home of a gun manufacturing plant. Colton, CA: A large structure caught fire at a wastewater treatment plant. Elkhart, IN: Fire broke out in an abandoned piano factory. Khar, India: 3 people were killed and 3 others injured when a gas cylinder exploded at an ice factory. Mizushima, Japan: A vacuum distillation unit at an oil refinery caught fire and was shut down. Plevna, MT: 8 railcars carrying alcohol derailed and ignited. Sinclair, WY: 1 person was treated after a fire at an oil refinery. Wenzhou, China: An explosion in a lock factory killed 13 and injured 14. August 6 Baltimore, MD: Chlorine spilled from an out-of-service filtration cylinder at a wastewater treatment plant. Chillicothe, OH: An unspecified accident at a specialty paper plant left 1 worker dead. Delaware City, DE: A release of 481 pounds of sulfur dioxide was reported at a local refinery. Dina Nath, Pakistan: A factory producing carbon and furnace oil with used tires caught fire. Fairmont, MN: 3 people suffered injuries in a dust explosion and fire at a soybean processing plant. Midyat, Turkey: The flow of Iraqi oil to Turkey was interrupted by a pipeline explosion. Richmond, CA: Thousands of residents were ordered to shelter-in-place after a series of explosions and fires tore through an oil refinery. (See page 6) Sunset Park, NY: A transformer exploded aboard a barge that serves as a power generating station. Superior, WI: Natural gas leaked into a pump house at a pipeline facility. Tracy, MN: 2 people were hurt in a grain elevator blast. August 7 Atlanta, GA: A worker at a glass plant was killed when the forklift he was operating fell on him.
Dallas County, IA: No injuries were reported in a fire at a natural gas storage facility. Granite City, IL: A beverage plant worker was crushed between an automated forklift and a metal racking unit used for storage. Indianapolis, IN: 2 contract workers were injured in an explosion at a coal burning power plant. Jalandhar, India: Fire gutted a plastic goods plant. Welland, ON: Fire crews battled a stubborn fire in an abandoned automotive plant. August 8 Dzjerham, Bulgaria: Wildfire threatened a natural gas pipeline connecting Bulgaria to Greece. Lewisburg, TN: 12,000 pounds of burning nitrocellulose turned barrels into bombs during a plant fire. Martinez, CA: A shelter-in-place alert warning of an emergency at an oil refinery was a false alarm. Milwaukee, WI: A supervisor at a plant making electrical equipment was gunned down by a disgruntled employee who then killed himself. Omaha, NE: Firefighters quickly dealt with a fire at a steel castings plant despite a locked gate. Shershah, Pakistan: Fire collapsed the roof of a warehouse at a chemical factory. Weston, MO: A small explosion rocked a power plant. August 9 Coventry, UK: 12 people escaped when fire broke out at a woodwork engineering plant. Crown, S. Africa: 2 factories were destroyed by fire. Kasson, MN: An explosion damaged a portion of a grain elevator. Millvale, PA: Firefighters extinguished an engine fire on a tractor-trailer carrying 9,000 gallons of fuel. North Branford, CT: More than 50 gallons of fluorosilicic acid spilled during a delivery. Wendouree, Australia: Fire broke out in the French fry area of a food processing plant. August 10 Chenzhou, China: A small amount of liquid benzene leaked into a river from a chemical storage tank. Clear Spring, MD: A fire in a tractor-trailer carrying blasting devices forced closure of an interstate. Kansas City, KS: Firefighters used more than 3,000 feet of supply line to tackle a recycling plant fire. Konjic, Bosnia: Wildfires threatened an ammunition factory. Marina, CA: No one was hurt after chlorine gas began leaking from a tank at a wastewater treatment plant. Rockford, IL: Duct work above a heat treating machine briefly caught fire at a manufacturing plant. Sarnia, ON: A small fire at an oil refinery was quickly extinguished. Ukiah, CA: An overturned tanker spilled 500 gallons of fuel into a nearby creek. Winnipeg, MB: Firefighters had to tear through the roof of a food processing plant to reach a fire. August 11 Elk City, OK: An explosion at a trucking company involved material used in hydraulic fracturing. Fall River, MA: Fire broke out in a laboratory module at a seafood processing plant. Menands, NY: Fire broke out in a conveyor belt at a waste treatment plant. Petrich, Bulgaria: Nitric acid spilled from a 5-ton container but did not spread beyond a low-lying area. Stockton, CA: 4 firefighters suffered heat exhaustion at a pallet factory fire.
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Waco, TX: A leaking gas line ignited in a warehouse at a plant making earth moving equipment. August 12 Auckland, New Zealand: Fire destroyed a multimillion dollar yacht at a boat building facility. London, UK: Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a recycling center. Rize, Turkey: A landslide at a gasoline station caused 4 tons of fuel to leak into the soil. Yunlin County, Taiwan: A fire in a propylene recovery unit forced a chemical refinery to close. August 13 Cinnaminson, NJ: Silane ignited when vented due to equipment failure at an industrial gases plant. Ciudad Madero, Mexico: An explosion in a naphtha hydrodesulfurisation unit rocked an oil refinery. Colorado Springs, CO: A chlorine alarm at a metal parts plant forced nearby businesses to take an extended lunch hour. Glendale, AZ: Chemicals used to treat pools reacted with each other in the back of a tractor-trailer rig. Jalan Dua, Malaysia: A fire at a wood products factory destroyed a warehouse packed with palettes. Llangefni, UK: 2 tons of ammonia gas leaked from a food processing plant. Martinez, CA: A small fire broke out in a hydrocracker at an oil refinery. Portland, OR: Hazmat crews found no leaking ammonia despite illness reported by 3 plant workers. Predio Portezuelo, Chile: A worker died in an accident at a manufacturing plant. Oswestry, UK: A sprinkler system helped save a recycling plant during a fire. Tonica, IL: 2 workers at a silicon carbide manufacturing plant were burned in an explosion and fire. August 14 Charlotte, NC: 1 person died and another was injured when materials fell on them at a plant specializing in motion control technologies. Chester, ME: Workers at a wood chip mill managed to extinguish a fire in a collection bin. Cobourg, ON: Flames engulfed the sawdust baghouse at a pallet factory. Dorval, QB: A worker at an air freight facility died when a vehicle being repaired fell on him. Hobart, Australia: A zinc refinery released elevated levels of sulfur trioxide. Jeedimetla, India: Firefighters battled a fire at an ink making plant for nearly 10 hours. Lutana, Australia: A faulty transformer has been blamed for a gas leak at a zinc smelter which forced thousands of residents indoors. Madison Parish, LA: An explosion and fire in a grain elevator injured a worker Martinez, CA: A sour odor was traced to a butanepropane release at an oil refinery. Ooty, India: Fire damaged a tea processing factory. Port Arthur, TX: A construction worker digging a fire water distribution trench at an oil refinery died when he became trapped. Tamil Nadu, India: 4 workers died and 5 were injured in a fire at a thermal power plant. Tezontepec de Aldama, Mexico: A patrol car was destroyed by fire when a pipeline tapped to steal gasoline ignited. Vermilion Parish, LA: Hazmat crews responded to an ammonia leak at an ice plant. Whiting, IN: 3 contractors working on a hydrotreater were hurt in a refinery flash fire.
Yangzhou, China: Fire broke out in a storage facility at a pesticide factory. August 15 Barangay Muhon, Philippines: A fire at a particle board plant brought production to a halt. Calgary, AB: An explosion blew the lid off a containment vessel at an asphalt plant. Chaaral, Chile: 2 people died in an explosion at a copper mine. Christchurch, New Zealand: Fire broke out in an abandoned appliance factory. Corpus Christi, TX: Firefighters responded to an industrial area grass fire caused by a power line. East Hartford, CT: A fire at a disease and pest-control products plant turned into a hazmat situation. Hereford, UK: 4 workers were treated when a drum of hydrofluoric acid was discarded with routine trash. Hyderabad, India: Fire broke out in an ink factory warehouse and spread to other businesses. Lino Lakes, MN: A forklift fell from the loading dock at a cleaning supply company, pinning a worker. Melbourne, Australia: A conveyor belt fire badly damaged a brick factory. Pittsfield Twp., MI: A runaway reaction at a specialty chemicals plant created acid vapor. San Luis Potos, Mexico: A boiler exploded at a factory making plaster from gypsum. Shadnagar, India: 2 workers were killed and 6 injured in a chemical plant fire. Stearns, KY: Nearly 40,000 tires burned in a recycling plant fire. Weld County, CO: An explosion during well head maintenance killed a worker. Wollert, Australia: Fire briefly shut down production at a brick making plant. August 16 Bridgeport, CT: Firefighters stripped burning insulation off a large asphalt tank at a construction plant. Jacksonville, FL: A worker at a liquor distillery was crushed to death by heavy equipment. Keningau, Malaysia: Fire destroyed living quarters for nearly 100 workers at a plywood plant. LaCrosse, WI: A small fire broke out at a plant burning waste to produce energy. LaPlace, LA: 2 deputies investigating the earlier shooting of a deputy at an oil refinery parking lot were themselves shot and killed by a suspect. Memphis, TN: Workers evacuated a freight facility when a forklift punctured a 5-gallon container of concentrated chili powder. Mills, MT: A fatality accident was reported at a local industrial facility. Ogden, IL: Workers extinguished a fire at a plastic vacuum forming plant triggered by a power outage. Phoenix, AZ: A half filled 7,000 gallon container of mineral oil at a recycling plant exploded from overpressurization. Taranto, Italy: Nearly 2 tons of fuel leaked into the sea from a ship. Tomago, Australia: Nearby residents were evacuated when 100 liters of methyl ethyl ketone spilled at a mining products plant. Venice, IL: Fuel spilled from an overturned tanker closed a major bridge. August 17 Bartow County, GA: An explosion ignited a fire at a plant making wood moulding and trim. Beatrice, NE: An explosion at a nitrogen plant injured 2 workers.
Bethlehem, PA: A worker on the roof of a heat treating plant was overcome by ammonia fumes. Buena Vista, NJ: Fire destroyed a steel-walled building at a glass plant. City of Industry, CA: More than 700 pounds of a toxic chemical used to kill bacteria in whirlpool baths spilled, requiring a hazmat response. Dartmouth, NS: Refinery fire personnel controlled a butane leak before it became serious. Goshen, IN: Industrial waste being pumped at an auto parts plant made more than 20 workers sick. Harrison County, WV: 3 workers were injured in a gas well fire. Las Vegas, NV: A worker died in a quarry accident. Medley, FL: A worker died when the roof to a silo collapsed at a cement plant. Miramar, CA: 3 freight center workers were overcome by fumes from biotech chemicals. August 18 Abboudieh, Lebanon: Flames swept through a vegetable packing plant. Beihai, China: A tanker pushed ashore by a typhoon spilled 5 tons of oil. Bekaa Valley, Lebanon: Fire broke out in an industrial bakery. Belle Chasse, LA: Areas near a chemical plant were evacuated after an unexpected reaction in a heated 2,000-gallon tank of divinylbenezene. Hannover, Germany: A railroad worker was treated for exposure to hydrofluoric acid that leaked from a tank car. Jacksonville, FL: An explosion in a turpentine tank rocked a chemical plant. Koraput, India: 6 employees were seriously injured when a fire broke out at an aeronautics plant. Majdlaya, Lebanon: Fire broke out in a warehouse storing plastic containers for fruit. Sarnia, ON: Water treatment plants closed their intakes after ethyl benzene leaked into the St. Clair River. Turffontein, S. Africa: A transformer fire was contained without spreading to a chemical plant. August 19 Cheshire, UK: An oil leak at a refinery forced the closure of the Manchester Ship Channel. Clark County, OH: 2 53-foot trailers of compressed mulch caught fire near a pallet factory. Dundalk, MD: A man fell 60 feet from a catwalk in an abandoned liquor bottling plant. Hockley, TX: Paint dust fueled a flash fire at a railcar repair facility that injured 3. Huntingdonshire, UK: Fire broke out in 2 tons of straw being processed for animal food. Nam Pong, Vietnam: A tunnel at a hydroelectric power plant collapsed, killing 2 and injuring 5. Perrysburg, OH: Firefighters extinguished a blaze in an oil pit at a steel treating plant. Petersborough, UK: An explosion rocked a fireworks factory. Sendai, Japan: A power plant fire at a major oil refinery did not hamper production. Streator, IL: A fire in a former tea factory is being investigated as arson. Tumaco, Colombia: Terrorists bombed an oil pipeline after disabling the regions electrical grid. Vostochny, Russia: 3 tons of oil spilled from a tanker ship as it was being loaded. August 20 Denver, CO: Workers testing a mercaptan tank released a small amount of the ordorant. El Paso, TX: A dry chemical extinguishing agent
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was accidently released at a mail order call center. Harlingen, TX: Flames spread through 3 18-wheel trailers parked at a tire recycling plant. Nottawa, MI: Fire damaged a wood pellet fuel plant. Red Deer, AB: Waste water leaking from an oil drilling operation ruined a farmers canola crop. Roodepoort, S. Africa: A grass fire ignited a silo at an animal feed factory. Sanford, NC: Responders rescued a worker trapped waist-deep in a silo containing dog food. Theodore, AL: A worker unloading heavy pipe from a truck was crushed to death when the load shifted. Tustin, CA: Workers evacuated a medical device plant when chemicals in a waste bucket reacted. Wilsonville, OR: A glass plant worker suffered a severe laceration when glass being moved broke. August 21 Belfast, UK: 9 fire engines attended a blaze at an animal feed plant. Fife, UK: Residents mistook flaring during a turnaround at an oil refinery for actual fires. Gulf of Aden, Yemen: An explosion attributed to sabotage hit a pipeline feeding the countrys only LNG export terminal. Kamloops, BC: A massive grass fire threatened a cement plant. Lathrop, PA: A valve on a separator unit caught fire at a gas well site. Pardubice, Czech Republic: A chemical plant has shut down its nitrocellulose production to investigate what caused a small explosion. Saskatoon, SK: Responders used an air-lifting bag to move a fallen forklift that pinned a worker. Tonawanda, NY: A grass fire consumed several acres on the grounds of a tire plant. August 22 Arnegard, ND: 2 workers were injured in a gas well explosion. Baton Rouge, LA: Fire crews used a vent and burn technique to empty a tanker filled with isobutane involved in a traffic accident. Cairo, IL: Fire broke out in a grain elevator at an oil processing plant. Decherd, TN: A supplier at an auto plant died in an accident. Dubai, UAE: A major perfume factory was gutted in a huge fire along with 4 warehouses. Leopoldov, Slovakia: An explosion at a liquor distillery killed 1 person and injured another. Lysite, WY: 4 workers were burned in a flash fire at a natural gas processing plant. Nagaa Hammadi, Egypt: Fire destroyed a 4-story building at an aluminum plant. Quincy, WA: A stack of seed bins between two buildings ignited a fire, damaging a seed plant.
Radcliffe, UK: Dozens of nearby residents were evacuated during a fire at an industrial facility. Roermond, Netherlands: Fire broke out among paper bales at a recycled containerboard plant. Sparta, TN: Fire broke out at a parts plant. Zhaoxiang, China: Fire broke out at a small chemical plant making coatings and paints. August 23 Angarsk, Russia: An explosion at a petroleum storage depot left 1 person injured. Beenham, UK: Sparks from a shredder ignited 3 tons of wood chippings at a recycling plant. Charlotte, MI: Fire broke out at a soybean plant. Cheongju, S. Korea: 1 person died and 13 hurt when a drum of toxic waste exploded at a chemical plant . Fairbanks, AK: Nearly 45,000 gallons of a cyanide water solution spilled at a gold mine when a bulldozer hit a pipeline. Durant, OK: An explosion collapsed the roof of a glass plant, killing a worker. Manchester, UK: Around 100 homes were evacuated after a fire in a factory complex triggered a gas explosion. Peoria, IL: A machinery accident injured a worker at a heavy equipment plant. Rayong, Thailand: The polyester staple fiber section of a chemical plant was shut down after a roof fire. Sherman, TX: A dust fire in the air filtering system forced a plant making insulation to be evacuated. Taman Kota Putri, Malaysia: Fire broke out in a plant making lubricants for cars. Toledo, OH: A machine fire broke out at a scrap metal plant. August 24 Harvey, LA: A chemist mixing materials at a biodiesel plant died in an explosion. Hazelwood, MO: A machine fire spread through a recycling plant. Rawlins, WY: Emergency crews responded to a fire at an oil refinery. Savannah, GA: A plant fire destroyed a storage shed containing flammable material used in bathtubs. St. Petersburg, Russia: Fire broke out in an industrial complex specializing in cars and furniture. Sunnyside, WA: Chlorine escaping from a regulator at a city well forced closure of a major highway. August 25 Elkhart County, IN: Wood chips ignited at a recycling facility. Mount Pleasant, TX: 800 workers evacuated a poultry processing plant due to an ammonia leak. Paraguan, Venezuela: At least 41 people were killed in an explosion at the countrys largest oil refinery. Puerres, Colombia: A terrorist attack destroyed a
Texas fire department, truck manufacturer found equally at fault
n May, Longview, TX, jurors found the maker of a ladder truck and the fire department that owns it equally at fault in a 2009 training accident that killed two firefighters. Finding the Kilgore Fire Department half at fault cut the award for damages by more than $300,000.
The firefighters fell eight stories when the doors on the ladder truck platform gave way. Four firefighters were aboard the platform at the time. Neither of the firefighters killed was wearing a safety harness. The doors were later redesigned by the fire truck maker. C
section of an oil pipeline from Ecuador to Tumaco. Shanghai, China: A worker was killed and 3 injured when a storage tank exploded at a paint factory. Zibo, China: An explosion at a hydrogen peroxide facility killed 1 and injured 7. August 26 Jeannette, PA: Fire broke out in a glass plant being dismantled. Lawton, OK: Fire broke out in the mixing area of a tire plant. Lewiston, NY: A transformer fire at a power plant was extinguished by sprinklers. Maple Ridge, BC: Fire destroyed a cedar mill that employed 60 people. New Holland, PA: Fire broke out in a storage building at a factory specializing in church furniture. North Andover, ME: Fire caused major structural damage to a recycling plant. Panelav, India: Fire broke out in the solvent unit of a pharmaceutical plant. St. Cloud, MN: Spontaneous combustion is blamed for a laundry fire at a uniform rental and linen supply. Yanan, China: A bus rammed into a tanker loaded with methanol causing a fire that killed 36 people. August 27 Coeymans, NY: A cement plant conveyor belt stretching across a highway caught fire. El Paso, TX: Fire ignited in a dryer at a dog food plant. Melbourne, Australia: 2 people were injured in a scrap metal factory fire. Port Campbell, Australia: 2 people died in an industrial accident aboard an offshore oil rig. Udachninskoye, Yakutia Republic: An explosion in a diamond mine under construction killed 2. Wakefield, NE: Dried manure caught fire at a poultry processing plant. Washington County, MD: 4 pounds of chlorine leaked from a valve at a water treatment plant. Wuhan, China: Fire ripped through a timber processing plant. Yingde, China: A cement plant explosion killed at least 7 people. August 28 Flintshire, UK: Fire forced the evacuation of a trailer manufacturing plant. McKinney, TX: A gas pipeline exploded at a construction site, injuring 1. Plymouth, MI: A small fire forced workers to evacuate a climate control plant. San Luis Obispo, CA: A fence overlooking a cooling tower caught fire at a nuclear power plant. Shreveport, LA: An elevator used to move production materials between floors caught fire at a plant specializing in oil refining catalysts. St. Charles County, MO: Firefighters used SCBA to recover a sewer worker found dead at a lift station. August 29 Austin, MN: Fire broke out in a generator at a meat packing plant. Kansas City, KS: Heavy fire was reported inside a steel building at a recycling plant. Panzhihua, China: A gas explosion at a coal mine has trapped 50 miners underground. Plovdiv, Bulgaria: Scrap iron scavengers ignited a fire at storage facilities for a Greek-owned firm. August 30 Napier, New Zealand: A fertilizer factory went up in flames. Whately, MA: Firefighters extinguished a fire at a candle factory. C
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INDUSTRIALFIRE FIREWORLD WORLD INDUSTRIAL
FOCUS ON HAZMAT
Vapor: The most dangerous state

rom our childhood days in elementary school science class we have been taught that matter exists in three states: namely solids, liquids and gases. Recently an additional state known as plasma has been recognized but it is more theoretical than practical importance at present. H2O can exist in any of the three common states as steam, ice or water and, when the conditions are right, it can be found in all three simultaneously. The set of conditions under which this phenomenon occurs is known as the triple point. There are a few substances for which the pressure at the triple point is so high that under normal conditions these solids pass directly into the gaseous state from the solid. Examples of these are solid carbon dioxide (CO2) or dry ice and naphthalene (C 10H8), commonly encountered as the active ingredient in traditional moth balls and water. Under certain conditions these materials can pass from the solid state into the gaseous state by means of a process known as sublimation. If water, steam and ice share the same molecular formula, namely H2O, then how do they have three distinct states of matter? The answer lies in what is known as the Kinetic Molecular Theory (KMT), which basically states that all molecules existing at temperatures above absolute zero are in motion and must perforce possess kinetic energy or the energy of motion manifested as force. If force equals mass times acceleration (F = MA) and the mass is constant due to the molecular structure, then the only variable is acceleration which translates into motion and thence to velocity. In the solid state the molecules merely vibrate within a rigid matrix or lattice. As the temperature is raised, the increase in energy causes the magnitude of this vibration to increase, ultimately to the point at which the molecules are able to break out of the matrix and begin to move freely within the mass of material. The solid has become a liquid and the temperature at which this change occurs is known as the melting point (or freezing point if the temperature is decreasing and the liquid becomes solid). Beyond this point, it becomes necessary to confine the material in a container such as a flask, drum or tank. Every molecule within the body of the liquid is acted upon by forces from every direction and these cancel each other out. However, a certain number of molecules form the surface of the liquid, and these are acted upon by the attractive forces from within the liquid without having any opposite forces to counteract them. Hence the liquid tends to pull into itself those molecules in the surface. The result is the assumption of spherical shaped drops when a liquid is unrestrained since this geometric
By DR. JOHN S. TOWNSEND
Gases, vapors and aerosols can be dangerous. They can sneak upon the unwary responder when they are least expected.
configuration provides the maximum possible volume within the smallest surface area. In the case of a liquid contained in a vessel, such as a bowl, the unbalanced forces acting on the surface molecules create what is known as the surface tension membrane (STM). This is an actual membrane and, though it is fragile and it is selfsustaining, its existence can easily be confirmed by the following demonstration: Water is placed in a tall glass container, filling it two or three inches. Next, a like amount of salad oil is added down the side of the container, so as not to disturb the water. The container is allowed to stand until any bubbles or globules of oil have disappeared. Sprinkle a small amount of coarse ground pepper onto the top of the salad oil. The pepper will slowly sink to the bottom of the oil layer until it comes to rest on the STM, the interface between the oil and the water, where it remains suspended. If one now takes a stirring rod and breaks up the STM, the pepper sinks until it reaches the bottom of the container. Meanwhile, the STM recreates itself and the demonstration can be repeated. Molecules within a liquid are in motion and have velocity that can be measured and calculated. However, the result gives a value for the velocity of the average molecule. Some molecules move at a slower rate and some speed demons exceed it. They will move randomly in all directions until they collide with other molecules, the sides of the container or the STM. Some of these speed demons move so fast that their momentum causes them to break through the STM and become free floating particles of gas or vapor in the atmosphere near the liquid. As they leave the liquid, the fast-moving molecules carry their energy with them thereby reducing the energy content of the remaining liquid. When the energy content is reduced, the temperature is lowered and the number of molecules leaving the liquid is reduced, a phenomenon known as auto refrigeration. People think of vapors as coming from liquids as steam coming from hot water or vapor coming from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). People think of chlorine, carbon dioxide and oxygen as gases. In actuality, these are one and the same. Steam is water vapor or gaseous water. Propane gas is really the vapor arising from the liquid when the pressure is reduced. Chlorine gas is the vapor arising from liquid chlorine, as are carbon dioxide or oxygen. For the purposes of this discussion the term gas includes those materials commonly thought of as vapors. Whether a substance exists as a gas (vapor) or a liquid (and occasionally a solid) depends upon the ambient conditions. Two parameters determine whether we have a gas (vapor) or a liquid,
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temperature and pressure. Charles Law tells us that as the absolute (Kelvin) temperature of a gas rises, the volume increases proportionately, assuming constant pressure. Boyles Law states that pressure increases so the volume decreases this time assuming constant temperature. Since in the practical world both temperature and pressure are usually variables, both of these laws are, for computational purposes, combined into what is known as the Universal Gas Law, which multiplies the original volume (V1) by a temperature factor (T2 / T1) and then by a pressure factor (P1 / P2) to arrive at the final volume of the gas. The working formula for this law is: V2 = V1 X T2 / T1 X P1 / P2. All temperatures must be in Kelvin (oC+273) while pressures must be stated in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), atmospheres or bars. According to the formula, as the absolute temperature decreases, the volume of the gas or vapor equals zero. In other words, the matter simply ceases to exist. Obviously this doesnt happen. Instead, the gas or vapor undergoes a phase change and becomes a liquid. For each gas or vapor there is a unique temperature above which the material cannot exist in the liquid phase no matter how much pressure is applied to the system. This is known as the critical temperature and the pressure required to liquefy the gas at this temperature is known as the critical pressure. In short, a substance cannot exist as a liquid above this point. All of the properties of gases discussed here have a major bearing on the safety of those responding to an incident involving significant quantities of gaseous material as well as the outcome of their response effort. Because of this, there are a number of things that should be kept in mind when responding. 1. Gases may be involved in any incident due to a chemical reaction between a commodity and the environment or other involved materials. A case in point: the lading of a car carrying calcium carbide (CaC2) appears to be inert but when brought in contact with water it gives off large quantities of acetylene (C2H2), which is a highly flammable gas with an almost unlimited flammable range. Acids such as hydrochloric (HCL) may react with roadway material to give off CO2 and/or other gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or hydrogen cyanide (HCN), both of which are highly toxic. Therefore, all incident sites must be checked constantly for the presence of unsuspected gases or vapors. One cannot depend on their nose. A properly fitted SCBA protects against toxic vapors but blocks the sense of smell and does not protect against flammables. Another source of gaseous atmospheric contaminants is the products of incomplete combustion. Any fire is sure to involve some type of carbonaceous material. If the temperature of the fire is high enough and there is no shortage of oxygen, combustion of carbon will be complete giving rise to carbon dioxide, CO2. (C + O2 CO2). However, suppression efforts decrease the combustion temperature and possibly cause a shortage of oxygen. In this case, the combustion is incomplete, 32
Gases can, and will, move. A cloud of gas may be invisible but it is there and it can still cause damage.
resulting in the production of carbon monoxide (CO) according to the following equation: (2C + O2 !2CO). This is the old water gas reaction which has been used to produce fuel for internal combustion engines. The presence of nitrogen or sulfur in the combustion mixture raises the possibility of the generation of ammonia (NH3) hydrogen cyanide (HCN), phosgene (COCI2) and/ or hydrogen sulfide (H2S), all of which are toxic. If there is plenty of oxygen and the temperature of combustion is high enough, all of these will be consumed by the fire. Therefore, there may be times when allowing a fire to burn itself out is a valid option. 2. Gases can, and will, move. A cloud of gas may be invisible but it is there and it can cause damage. Constant monitoring of the atmosphere is a must, as is accurate knowledge of the weather conditions on site, not at the weather service 30 miles away. Wind shifts must be considered as to their effect on the conditions at the work site. 3. Gases have mass; some are heaver than air and some are lighter. Natural gas, which is made up chiefly of methane (CH4) is slightly lighter than air and will therefore rise from ground level. LPG or propane (C3H8) is slightly heavier than air and tends to sink into low places and remains close to the release point. This makes a big difference in case of a gas leak in proximity to a storm sewer, underpass or other low-lying appurtenance. Gases can cause death by displacing the atmosphere with its supply of oxygen. For this reason even a relatively harmless gas such as CO2 or nitrogen (N2) can become deadly if an unsuspecting worker walks into a cloud of it and cannot retreat. The gas will not kill him but the lack of oxygen certainly can. 4. The possibility of a gas being present makes it mandatory that monitoring activities be initiated upon arrival at the incident site and carried out continuously until the response and final cleanup is complete. This monitoring must cover the entire site not just the point of entry. Know which gas present, we must know what gas is present and, if possible, how much. The monitoring must be specific. If an instrument that is specific for a particular gas is not available, find a retired chemist and ask him for a quick, cheap and dirty on site test. An example of this is the bottle of lead acetate that sewer workers carried in bygone days. Before entering a manhole, they would soak a piece of paper towel in the lead acetate solution and lower it into the manhole on a string equipped with a clothespin. When they pulled it back up they looked for the tell-tale black stain on the paper. If it was there, they knew they were dealing with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and strict precautions were mandatory. A rag soaked with ammonia water emits a white cloud of ammonium chloride (NH4C1) in the presence of hydrochloric acid (HCL) and the reverse is also true in the presence of ammonia (NH3) There are literally dozens of such tests that were quite common in the pre-electronic days and they are still useful in cases where an expensive and maintenance intensive instrument is not cost effective or is unavailable.
5. Gases are temperature sensitive. As a gas leaves the containment system through a leak or rupture, it carries energy with it. The result is a cooling of the system through autorefrigeration. This effect may be great enough to reduce the flow of vapor and facilitate plugging of the leak. Lower temperatures such as those encountered in northern latitudes during the winter months will reduce the pressure of the gas within the containment vessel. This author once encountered a student from the Alaska Railroad who recounted an incident where LPG had been transferred by means of a trash pump. His fellow students thought he was blowing smoke until he revealed that the temperature at the time of the incident was fifty degrees below zero (-50 Fahrenheit). At that temperature, one could quite easily carry LPG in a bucket. As gases cool their density increases. They become heaver. As a result they may hug the ground until they absorb enough heat to rise. Again, constant and continuous monitoring is crucial to the safety of all concerned. The converse is also true, and gases normally heavier than air become lighter if they are heated in the course of the incident. 6. Finally one must not forget aerosols, those clouds of finely divided particles of liquid that are suspended in the atmosphere and act much like true gases. We see these in consumer products such as spray paints, household deodorants, insect sprays and hair spray. The nefarious mustard gas (C4H8CI2S) used in World War I was, in reality, an aerosol. As a weapon it was very effective. The liquid adhered to the skin and continued to corrode rather than dissipate as would a true gas. The after effects of exposure were horrendous. Aerosols can be inadvertently produced when materials are
Even a relatively harmless gas can cause death by displacing the supply of oxygen in the immediate atmosphere.
forced through a small opening such as a small leak in a containment vessel, and the possibility of their presence must not be overlooked. Aerosols tend to clog analytical instruments and render then insensitive unless adequate but inert filtration is provided for the sampling stream. This need for filtration carries with it the risk that the filtering agent may become contaminated with the aerosol and produce false positives. To prevent this, one should introduce a clean sample of air (perhaps from an SCBA) into the instrument after obtaining a positive reading. If the instrument is still showing a positive reading, the filter should be changed and the test repeated. It is also possible that the tubes, sensors and other components within the instrument could become contaminated. Should this happen, it requires complete disassembly, cleaning and purging of the instrument, an expensive and time consuming procedure normally requiring return of the instrument to a qualified service center or the manufacturer. To prevent such an instrument failure, the filter should be located as near to the intake of the sampling line as possible. In the event of contamination, only a short length of hose needs to be replaced. The line between vapors and aerosols can become blurred. An example is the carburetor on a gasoline engine. Is the fuel fed to the cylinders a true gas or an aerosol? In actuality it can be both, and this makes the selection of a filtering agent difficult. The use of an agent designed for the particular instrument in question and provided by the manufacturer is highly recommended. In short, gases, vapors and aerosols can be dangerous. They can sneak up on the unwary responder when they are least expected and cause great harm. The best defense is a good offense and eternal vigilance is the price of safety. C
Darley
Continued from Page 27 Instead of the standard Darley splash lubrication method where gears carry oil to the highest point, the ZS 3000 uses a small pump driven off the impellor shaft to provide positive pressure lubrication throughout the transmission. Developing a single impellor that would operate at each of the various ratings desired became the most difficult engineering issue of the entire project, Darley said. When youre sucking that much water, any corner or obstacle can create pockets, Darley said. We tried many different styles of impellor. Eventually, the style that worked best is the same twisted vane style we had always used. To address various plumbing configurations, the ZS 3000 offers a number of unique manifold designs. Weve got one that looks like a centipede with three six-inch suctions on either side, Darley said. We also have a suction T that is an eight-inch manifold. We even have a 12-inch option.
Developing the ZS 3000 required the construction of a new test room at Darleys Chippewa Falls, WI, facility. We still operate in the old test room, Darley said. Its used everyday, but it only had a 330 horsepower diesel engine that wouldnt power the new pump. The new test room uses two 500 horsepower electric motors. It also provides a larger tank for the ZS 3000 testing. Our old test room only had a 20,000 gallon tank available, Darley said. With the kind of water the ZS 3000 moves, you cant keep a tank that size cool. So we built a new test room with a 40,000 gallon tank and state-of-the-art motors and monitoring systems. These improvements mirror our companys 21st century standing and continued commitment to being on the leading edge of technology available in the pump world. The ZS 3000 fills a critical void in the Darley product line, he said. A huge need exists for this in the industrial market, the crash truck market and also in marine applications, Darley said. A lot C of fire boat users are looking for this kind of big water.
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RISK ASSESSMENT
Beware of refinery vapor cloud release

By GARRY BENNETT, JOHN FRANK, MARC VAN DE VELDE, XL GLOBAL ASSET PROTECTION SERVICES Table 1 expected with various overpressures. This example assumes the following: the main constituent is isobutane, process conditions 102 Celsius @ 40 bar (216 Farenheit @ 580 psi), entire reactor is filled with isobutane, release through a 100 mm (four inch) flange break; in 120 seconds the entire mass was released, calculated flash fraction is 81 percent or a vaporized mass of 31950 kg (70440 lbs), yield factor for isobutane of four percent, calculated with ExTool v3.06 under license from SwissRe using default atmos-
apor releases at industrial facilities handling flammable pheric conditions, vapor drift based on varying atmospheric conditions is not liquids or gases can result in some of the most challenging incidents an industrial responder can face. There are many considered in this model, shrapnel projectiles are not accounted. ways such a release could occur. For this article, we will focus on There are many VCE models available with varying degrees of process vapor release at petrochemical plants. Process vapor sophistication. The more sophisticated the model, the more releases can result in three primary types of incidents: variables can be accounted for. A vapor release without Besides the models variables, ignition there will be a wide range of A vapor release with Vapor release triggers California explosion, Page 6 input assumptions. It is delayed ignition resulting in a important for responders to vapor cloud explosion (VCE) A vapor release with immediate ignition resulting in a jet fire understand the assumptions. Responders should ask what would These are highly complex incidents because of a wide range of happen if the release scenario was more severe. Additional models potential outcomes and potential exposure to a wide variety of may be appropriate. It is also important to understand that these are just models. process equipment, each of which has its own unique fire fighting problems. This is intended to be starting a point for discussion An actual incident can unfold in a number of ways. For the and to illustrate how existing chemical safety analyses can be purposes of this article, the model is intended to be the basis of used in pre-planning. VCEs will be addressed in this article. Vapor discussion about what might be encountered. For example, if the clouds that do not ignite and jet fires will be addressed in part site fire station is in one of the damage rings, its equipment may not be available. It may even be decided that the station should two. VCEs occur when vapors are released, and ignition occurs be relocated or a satellite station established so everything would after a period of time. Prevention of ignition is beyond the scope not be lost at once. The explosion (overpressure or shrapnel) might also shear off of this article; we are assuming that an ignition source has been fire protection risers or hydrants resulting in loss of water pressure. found. Most facilities conduct some kind of VCE analysis. The output These damaged systems would need to be isolated to preserve is expressed in overpressure rings (in psi or millibar (mbar)) with water for other fire fighting operations. A working knowledge of associated damage. Figure 1 shows overpressure rings for a simple fire protection valving is needed to shut down as little of the model overlayed on facility diagram. Table 1 shows damage system as possible to restore pressure and still leave adjacent
34
fire protection in service. If this cannot be done due to radiant heat, it may be necessary to fall back to more remote valves or to establish auxiliary water supplies. Auxiliary supplies might include drafting from reservoirs and using large diameter hose to supply trailer mounted monitor nozzles. The explosion might also shear off process piping, in turn dumping more flammable liquids or gases (or otherwise hazardous materials) into the fire. Remote shutdown for these lines, along with the potential loss of control equipment must all be considered. Finally, an idea of what to expect in terms of damaged structures and equipment can assist with triage, technical rescue, and casualty treatment decision making. For this scenario, we found that smaller processing plants would be entirely within the severe damage rings including the loss of all fire protection. This is important information to know. Containment efforts might have to be focused on protecting property outside the fence with off-site fire protection water supplies. In one case, on site fire pumps were taken out as well. If a rescue effort was going be mounted under the protection of fire hose streams or monitors, the on-site water supplies might not be available. Hose relays from off-site, tanker shuttles, apparatus booster tanks, etc. would need to be used. This article is a simplification of a very complex topic. Even the most sophisticated models cannot determine exactly how an incident could unfold. Combinations of VCEs and then subsequent jet fires can occur. These jet fires can then in turn expose pressure vessels with a resulting BLEVE (boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion) threat. The issues discussed here, along with this basic model, can help guide discussions and serve as a starting point for more in-depth evaluation. Flexibility during an operation is essential, but the skills and thought processes developed in preplanning sessions can guide decisions during an operation, no matter how it unfolds. Contact the lead author at john.frank@xlgroup.com. C
XL GAPS is a leading loss prevention services provider and a member of the XL Group of companies. XL Group plcs insurance companies offer property, casualty, professional and specialty insurance products globally. Businesses that are moving the world forward choose XL as their partner. To learn more, visit xlgroup.com/insurance. XL Group is the global brand used by XL Group plcs insurance subsidiaries. XL Group plc, through its subsidiaries, is a global insurance and reinsurance company providing property, casualty, and specialty products to
industrial, commercial, and professional firms, insurance companies and other enterprises on a worldwide basis. More information about XL Group plc is available at www.xlgroup.com.
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EM S Continued from Page 26

Drooling and diaphoresis. Pulmonary edema with some exposures. Skin and eye signs and symptoms may include: Burning pain, redness and related inflammation. Deep burns and possible skin discoloration. Eye burning or discomfort and clouding. Spasmodic blinking or involuntary eye closing with related redness and tearing. Depending on the chemical, frostbite burns may be included in the overall assessment. When presented with victims of a chemical vapor cloud, following decontamination if indicated, treatments should focus on supportive care. Stick to the basics here: General impression. Assess mental status using the AVPU scale Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive. Assess airway and make all necessary therapeutics to sustain same. Check breathing and administer oxygen and respiratory support as necessary. Check circulation start CPR as necessary. Flushing eyes and skin with water may help to dilute the offending substance and offer analgesic relief. Remember in mass casualty situations, the triage of the victims may require closing the book on most, if not all, severely compromised victims. Do not make the mistake of committing precious resources on victims that have little or no chance for survival. Certain chemical exposures require very sophisticated therapeutic measures to sustain the victims that may not be
readily available to the general EMS community. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) may require calcium gluconate injection at the local exposure site, and administration of gluconate gel for topical or skin injuries. Nebulizer administration of same for inhalation injury may be indicated. Industrial battalions may have this readily available but municipal responders supporting the incident may not. Get medical direction. The local industrial facility may be able to provide calcium gluconate. With cyanide, the same issues arise. Treatment therapeutics may not be readily available except possibly with the industrial brigade and may be in limited supply. Cyanide requires amyl nitrate administration via the respiratory tract as well as intravenous administration of sodium nitrate and sodium thiosulfate. While these are in the cyanide antidote kit, the kits themselves do not have a long shelf life (meaning multiple years) and often expire. Kit expiration issues in Chicago were exactly the case after the Tylenol cyanide deaths of the 1980s. All Chicago fire ambulances were issued cyanide antidote kits and most, if not all, expired before they were used. When faced with the financial burden of replacing the kits, the issue became cost prohibitive. Remember, in cyanide poisonings do not use the pulse oximeter for measurement. Cyanide does not act like carbon monoxide by taking up hemoglobin space on the red blood cells. Instead, it prohibits the off-loading of oxygen at the cellular level. A pulseox reading of full saturation of the red blood cells in the case of cyanide poisoning is a useless measurement. When faced with the chemical vapor cloud, make the appropriate notifications, protect yourself and your crew by staying up wind and up hill, keep the related citizenry away, guesstimate wind speed and direction, and plan for the worst. In an industrial accident, containment is a priority. In the case of terrorism, remember to address panic. Keep a cool head. Think, and remember personal safety. C
Busting the myths about lightning striking cars

ue Bradshaw, a chemical plant employee in LaPorte, TX, thought it was good idea to put away her cell phone when she saw multiple lightning flashes while driving to work during a pouring rainstorm on Sept. 13, 2012. That decision might have saved her life, according to a press release issued by Jacobs DuPont. A lightning strike moments later knocked Bradshaws car nearly 100 feet. Police told Bradshaw that had she been on the cell phone during the strike, the charge cord and phone would have conducted electricity, possibly killing her. Bradshaw glanced down at her dashboard clock at the moment of the strike 6:40 a.m. The light was brighter that any she had seen before, blinding her for several seconds, the press release states. As for her hearing, the sound of the strike left Bradshaw with a ringing in her ears for the rest of the day, the release states. With the engine now dead, Bradshaw reacted by steering the car straight and clear of the tollway wall. When police arrived, they instructed Bradshaw to get out of 36
the car by manually unlocking the door. Sue was scared and had a thought to reach for the window breaker that she received as a Jacobs trinket giveaway but remembered that she left it in her desk at work, the press release states. The lightning struck the defrost lines on the back windshield, causing the glass to melt. Heat from the strike also caused all of the electronics in the car to burn out. The transmission and drive train beneath the car melted as well. Lightning traveling through the undercarriage scored the roadway at the point where the car was hit, leaving a shallow pot hole in the pavement. We encourage our Jacobs team members to share moments and experiences they have been apart of in and outside of work that can be used as a lesson learned, the press release states.C
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Vapor Release Triggers California Blaze: IL Fire District Protects Local Economy

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Vapor release triggers California blaze

P.O. BOX 9161, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77842

Volume 27, No. 4 Fall 2012

IL fire district protects local economy

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Permit #204 Bollingbrook, IL

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Fall 2012 Volume 27 Number 4

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board

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Photos courtesy of U.S. Chemical Safety Board

Chemical Safety Board investigates vapor cloud fire at California refinery

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Photo credit: Fototaker.net

Photo courtesy of Williams Fire & Hazard Control

Vapor cloud fireworks

Photo from Buncefield Investigation Third Progress Report

Photo C shows a car twisted by the Buncefield explosion. 8

Photos by Gene Allen

Photos by Gene Allen

Vapor release at a Gulf Coast plant threatens neighboring oil refinery

No respiratory distress was reported. We didnt have anyone go to the clinic.

Photos courtesy of Elwood FPD

Small town firefighters protect big chunk of Illinois economy

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Photos by Peet Bighorse

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Photo by Anton Riecher

Photo by Anton Riecher

Photo by Anton Riecher

Photo by Peet Bighorse

Photo by Anton Riecher

Photo by Peet Bighorse

Photo by Peet Bighorse

Photo by Anton Riecher

Photo by Peet Bighorse

Photo by Peet Bighorse

Photo by Peet Bighorse

Real vs. Prop

Photos courtesy of Texas Engineering Extension Service

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When havoc drifts toward you

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Texas fire department, truck manufacturer found equally at fault

INDUSTRIALFIRE FIREWORLD WORLD INDUSTRIAL

Vapor: The most dangerous state

By DR. JOHN S. TOWNSEND

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Beware of refinery vapor cloud release

EM S Continued from Page 26

Busting the myths about lightning striking cars

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FIRE APPARATUS HARDWARE

IFW Training Calendar at www.fireworld.com Visit available 2012-13 training opportunities

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