Barton Solvents: Static Spark Ignites Explosion Inside Flammable Liquid Storage Tank. Case Study

摘要

On July 17, 2007, at about 9 a.m., an explosion and fire occurred at the Barton Solvents Wichita facility in Valley Center, Kansas. Eleven residents and one firefighter received medical treatment. The incident triggered an evacuation of Valley Center (approximately 6,000 residents); destroyed the tank farm; and significantly interrupted Barton's business. An investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has concluded that the initial explosion occurred inside a vertical above-ground storage tank that was being filled with Varnish Makers and Painters (VM&P) naphtha. VM&P naphtha is a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Class IB flammable liquid that can produce ignitable vapor-air mixtures inside tanks and, because of its low electrical conductivity, can accumulate dangerous levels of static electricity. The CSB is publishing this Case Study to help companies understand the hazards associated with static-accumulating flammable liquids that can form ignitable vapor-air mixtures inside storage tanks. In addition, the CSB wants to urge companies to take extra precautions to prevent explosions and fires like the one at Barton. This Case Study also examines industry Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) hazard communication practices and makes recommendations to ensure that MSDSs identify these hazards and outline appropriate precautions.