Afterthoughts on Massive Fire and BLEVEs in Latin American

Afterthoughts on Massive Fire and BLEVEs in Latin American Plant 

It is obvious that a good PSM Program could have reduced the probability and consequences of this tragedy. Today a U.S. company covered by the Process Safety Management regulation would be asked  

Misdirected Precautions on a Reactor System Isolation Plug Valve Results in a Vapor Cloud Explosion 

A 4-inch (10 cm) air-operated plug valve isolates the reactor. An actuator on the 4-inch (10 cm) plug valve could be opened from the control room. For added safety during the line cleaning operation, the procedures required the mechanics to remove the valve actuator so that it is not accidentally opened during cleaning. [12] 

Within two to six minutes, 6 to 8 tons (5,400 to 7300 kg) of monomer escaped producing a 250-ft. (76 m) by 450-ft. (137 m) vapor cloud. The cloud ignited. The resultant explosion was reported to be heard 15 miles away. Houses about 12 miles from the site were shaken. 

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