GROUP 2 PRESENTATION

DANVERS EXPLOSION(2006)
INTRODUCTION
Danvers plant is a plant of solvent and ink
manufacturer CAI Inc,
It is located in the Danver sport area of
Danvers, Massachusetts(U.S.A)
The company was privately owned with
which it shared with paint manufacturer,
Arnel.
WHAT HAPPENED

A chemical fire explosion occurred at

Danvers, at approximately 2:46 am on
November 22, 2006.
The explosion and resulting fire occurred
at an ink and paint manufacturing facility
that was jointly operated by Coatings,
Adhesives and Inks
WHAT WENT WRONG

The main causes of the incident was the

overnight heating of the ink mixing tank which
contained flammable solvents(heptane and propyl
alcohol)
The steam valve was left on by an operator
before he left the day which led to the overnight
heating of the tank.
That overnight heating increased the temperature
that led to the escaping of vapours from the
mixing tank built up in the unventilated building
and caused ignition and explosion.
Cont…
The heating was controlled by a single
manual valve that needed to be closed by an
operator to prevent the 3000 gallon tanks
from overheating. The building ventilation
system was turned off at the end of the work
day and vapour coming out of the unsealed
tank spread throughout the production area
and then ignited from undetermined source
possibly by a spark from an electrical device
EXTENT OF THE DISASTER

Loss of lives: no loss of life occurred but it was

reported that approximately a dozen individuals
sustained minor injuries
Damage of property: It was reported that approximately
17 to 19 structures were damaged as a result of the blast
wave. Several boats located in a neighbouring marina
suffered damage from projectiles and the blast wave
Environmental impact: minor environmental concerns
due to water runoff, chemicals from the water used by
the fire fighters left a purple on the river. There was no
risk of toxic fumes getting into the air.
LESSON LEARNT FROM THE DISASTER

They lacked safety guards such as alarms,

automatic shutoff that would have prevent a 10,000
pounds of ink mixtures of flammable solvent from
overheating in the unattended building.
The building lacked floor level ventilation system
to prevent the spread of flammable atmospheres
from process equipment as required under OSHA
flammable and combustible liquid standard.
The company had been storing at least twice
amount of flammable chemicals that have been
authorized by the town.
Thank you for listening