Incident alert
LOCATION:
ASPHALT/COATING PLANT
ACTIVITY:
MAINTENANCE & HOUSEKEEPING
DATE ISSUED:
22/02/2022 11:42:22
TITLE
Bitumen tank fire
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT DETAILS
- A tanker driver spotted product on the floor
- He advised site team who investigated and found no issues.
- Removed cladding at ground level to check source of leak
- Product identified in cladding and around inlet pipe – no tank fracture and inlet pipe not for that tank Ignition occurred following morning as a result of heat from the tank allowing lighter oils released from pipework volatize effect ?? pipe fracture identified - aged insulation (>20years) disintegrated acting as a wick.
- By removing the cladding to check issue effectively open to air oxygen introduced and over 8hours unseen smouldering occurred to enable ignition after glowing effect
- Local site measures put out the fire and brigade called. Attended site, removed cladding using non sparking - fire safe equipment to reveal and remove further hazards
- Fire watch teams put in place until all risk removed over a 3 day 24/7 period
ACCIDENT / INCIDENT IMAGES
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS TAKEN
Safety procedures
- Correct, relevant and followed
- Fire brigade provided information appropriate to the event and safety considerations
- Site controls – interactions and pressures managed
- Early assessment of possible causes and interaction with SHEQ team, Fire service and manufacturers
- Fracture as a result of welding to the tank and pipe and no allowance for the movement, d clamp type bolts not used.
- As pipes inside insulation and cladding no ability to inspect without removing, unusual arrangement
- Design of intake system unusual for current times but could exist elsewhere so immediate calls to all units and assessments carried out within 12hours
- Inspections of equipment and shared learnings with ourselves and others via industry working groups and own networks
- Alert to be shared with MPA working group and associated organisations
SEE ATTACHED PDF FOR IMAGES AND MORE DETAILS
LEARNING POINTS / ACTIONS IMAGES
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