Aluminum billet
homogenizing furnaces are common throughout our industry. The furnaces can be
fueled by diesel oil, nature gas, LPG and electrical energy. The Aluminium
Plant Safety Blog has a recent story that emphasizes one of the hazards
associated with natural gas fueled homogenizing furnaces.
A malfunction in a
heating machine lead to an explosion and fire at an east side factory early one
morning during the week of August 17, 2014.
Fire units were
called to MidAmerica Extrusions in Indiana in the United States shortly after 2
a.m. The factory specializes in heating up and molding aluminum. An oven that
heats the aluminum to one thousand degrees reportedly malfunctioned and sent a
fireball toward the ceiling of the plant.
Fire officials say
the fire got sucked into a power air vent which caught a section of the roof on
fire. Workers apparently tried to fight the blaze themselves at first, but
called the fire department when they realized they could not reach the flames
once they got into the ceiling.
Employees were
evacuated and there were no reports of injuries. Damage to the factory has been
estimated at $20,000.
Fire investigators
say the process will be shut down until state workplace safety officials can
inspect the equipment involved in the fire.
Another media story of
this incident:
Officials say a
malfunction in an aluminum heating machine caused an explosion and small fire
at an Indianapolis factory.
No injuries were
reported from the explosion about 2 a.m. Tuesday at MidAmerica Extrusions on
the city's east side.
Fire officials tell
Indianapolis television stations the heating machine malfunction sent a
fireball through a vent to the factory's roof. Workers were evacuated from the
factory and firefighters were soon able to put out the blaze.
Officials say the
process will be shut down until state workplace safety inspectors check the
equipment involved in the fire.
The Aluminium Plant
Safety Blog congratulates MidAmerica Extrusions for safely evacuating their
employees after the explosion. The APSB hopes that the damage can be quickly
fixed at minimal expense.
The Occupational Safety
& Health Administration has a great document regarding workplace
evacuations. It can be found here:
Please comment.
1 comment:
Just wanted to let you know we look at your blog at every safety meeting - Quality Manager - North American Casting Corp - keep up the great work!!!!
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