Accidents water hoses

On the night of the accident, operators heard a screeching noise from the relief valve on one of the tanks. Unfortunately, the closed blowdown system had been taken out of service for maintenance. It was later established that while operators were on their shift change or on a break, someone disconnected a pressure gauge from the cover plate on one of the tanks and attached a water hose. A quantity of water estimated between 450 and 900 kg entered the tank and caused a severe upset and release of MIC vapor. With no means of notifying the public and evacuating the community, thousands were exposed to the vapor cloud, resulting in the deaths and injuries. 

Probably, the most extreme of sabotage was the Bhopal event. Although there is disagreement as to whether this event was deliberately caused or whether it was an accident, the connection of the water hose to the storage tank strongly indicates maUcious intent. Thousands died. 

Safety Showers. Safety showers and eyewash fountains or hoses should be installed where corrosive or toxic materials are handled. A large-volume, low velocity discharge from directly overhead should effect continuous drenching, ie, a minimum flow of 20 L/min (50 gal /min). Water to outside showers may be heated to a maximum temperature of 27°C by an electric heating cable. The valves for all safety showers should be at the same height and relative position to the shower head, and they should operate in the same way and direction. The shower station should be identified by paint of a bright, contrasting color. In areas where chemicals harmful to the eyes may be encountered, an eyewash fountain or spray should be available in case of splash accidents. 

The hazards of water hammer are described in Section 9,1,5 and the hazards of ice formation in Section 9,1,1, This section describes some accidents that have occurred as the result of the sudden vaporization of water, incidents known as boilovers, slopovers, foamovers, frothovers, or puking, Boilover is used if the tank is on fire and hot residues from the burning travel down to the water layer, Slopover is often used if water from fire hoses vaporizes as it enters a burning tank. Sections 9,1.1 and 12.4.5 describe incidents in which vessels burst because water that had... 

The foreman recognized a possible hazard from flammable vapor escaping from the vent pipe and igniting on the sparks from the welding operation. He connected a hose to the vent at the top of the tank and ran the hose down to the ground. Because the flammable vapors were water soluble, he stuck the end of the hose in a drum full of water. During a subsequent operation that involved emptying the tank, an accident occurred. Can you explain what happened and how ... 

Full details of this accident can be found in several major reports. This brief review is focused on the utility hose and the one-minute modification aspects of the accident. Reportedly the trouble started when one of the parallel paths used to treat the secondary water system started plugging. When this resin polisher system, which is designed to remove trace impurities, started to plug, an operator decided to clear the blockage with instrument air. [9]... 

No one can predict when and where a chemical accident will occur. That s why you and your coworkers you should be familiar with the location and operation of emergency eye wash facilities and safety showers. These can include eyewash fountains, drench showers, hand-held drench hoses and emergency bottles. Very simply, they all flush affected areas of your body with water. 

The organization agreed to fully review the use of flexible hoses for hot water and for other hazardous materials. Please see Chapter 9 Accidents Involving Compressors, Hoses and Pumps for other incidents involving hoses. 

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