Safety Flash
Pontoon compartment explosion on floating roof tanks
Pontoon compartment explosion on floating roof tanks
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 06/14
- ExplosionHazardous SubstancesHot Work and Fire
- ExplosionFireHazardous substancesLoss of containment
- Hot work
- Storage tanks
Summary
This safety flash describes a pontoon compartment explosion while two workers cut rim seal brackets near the pontoon on a tank’s floating roof. Released flammable residue caused a small fire, and the workers sustained moderate injuries. It notes more severe outcomes in previous similar incidents after tank clean-up.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Summary
Hot work near a floating-roof tank pontoon ignited flammable residue, causing an explosion, fire and moderate injuries.
IMCA SF 06/14. Themes: explosion, hazardous substances, hot work and fire.