Via NBC, I see that the CSB has released its preliminary update on the Conyers, GA fire:
Washington D.C. November 22, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an investigation update into the chemical reaction and toxic gas release on September 29, 2024, at the Bio-Lab, Inc. facility in Conyers, Georgia, that resulted in a massive fire and plume of toxic smoke that threatened the surrounding community and the metropolitan Atlanta area.
The reaction involved materials stored in a warehouse that generated heat, which led to the decomposition of the product, the release of toxic vapors, and fires. The primary substances involved in the reaction were trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DCCA), along with bromochloro-5,5-dimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (BCDMH). The resulting massive plumes of toxic smoke contained chlorine and other hazardous substances and caused significant offsite impacts.
No major root cause updates as of yet, but the brown/red smoke is most likely from the bromo compound. Full report here.
I'm curious to know the explanation for having sprinklers in a building full of materials that react violently with water. Either it was blind obedience to regulations without thinking, or maybe they knew it was a bad idea but they were following rigid rules with no way to make an exception.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience it is because of insurance. Insurance companies what them because they save property. Many years ago one of our labs was gutted due to a fire, we work with water reactive and pyrophoric materials. Our labs have blowout panels, hinged roofs and 3 blast walls. The fire was so hot that it melted and deformed the steel I-beams and did damage to the neighboring labs superstructure before the first responders and fire departments could control the fire. After that all of the labs needed to be retrofitted to have sprinklers if we wanted to keep our insurance. They are manually controlled and are to be activated after everyone is out.
DeleteThat's surprising. When you're talking to an insurance agent, you're dealing with a human who can be reasoned with. I had pictured this being the result of some inflexible regulation or law where you can't explain the situation to someone and persuade them that water would do more harm than good in an emergency.
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