A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Sodium Explosion Critically Burns Firefighters, Newton, Massachusetts
Eleven firefighters were burned, six seriously, one critically, and one extremely critically, in an explosion that occurred while they were attempting to extinguish a sodium fire in a metals processing establishment in Newton, Massachusetts on October 25, 1993. The incident illustrates how quickly and unpredictably an apparently minor hazardous materials situation can change, with tragic consequences. It also shows how standard protective clothing and equipment, designed for structural fire fighting, is dangerously inadequate for a molten metals incident. The situation was caused by a deviation from standard procedures for handling waste sodium at the facility. The incident provides an important series of lessons for all firefighters on the risks involved with sodium and other flammable metals and on the need to obtain reliable information from responsible individuals at hazardous materials incidents. Fires in sodium and other water reactive metals are uncommon, and the circumstances of this incident are particularly unusual. Previous experience and pre-fire planning at the facility contributed to a false sense of security among the firefighters, who believed that the incident could be handled easily and without significant risk. Employees at the facility did not provide information that would have caused the officers in charge of the incident to more fully evaluate the risks of this particular situation before initiating action.
Sodium Explosion Critically Burns Firefighters, Newton, Massachusetts
Eleven firefighters were burned, six seriously, one critically, and one extremely critically, in an explosion that occurred while they were attempting to extinguish a sodium fire in a metals processing establishment in Newton, Massachusetts on October 25, 1993. The incident illustrates how quickly and unpredictably an apparently minor hazardous materials situation can change, with tragic consequences. It also shows how standard protective clothing and equipment, designed for structural fire fighting, is dangerously inadequate for a molten metals incident. The situation was caused by a deviation from standard procedures for handling waste sodium at the facility. The incident provides an important series of lessons for all firefighters on the risks involved with sodium and other flammable metals and on the need to obtain reliable information from responsible individuals at hazardous materials incidents. Fires in sodium and other water reactive metals are uncommon, and the circumstances of this incident are particularly unusual. Previous experience and pre-fire planning at the facility contributed to a false sense of security among the firefighters, who believed that the incident could be handled easily and without significant risk. Employees at the facility did not provide information that would have caused the officers in charge of the incident to more fully evaluate the risks of this particular situation before initiating action.
Sodium Explosion Critically Burns Firefighters, Newton, Massachusetts
1993
94 pages
Report
No indication
English
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| Online Contents | 2009
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| Online Contents | 2009