"A real wall of fire in front of which the firefighters found themselves."

 

One cannot but think where our industry would be if some of our finished product was not anodized. For those who are unaware anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has posted numerous incidents from anodizing departments and or plants. Here is a recent incident emphasizing the fire associated with the chemicals  used in the process:

It was around 20.30 one evening during the week of February 21, 2021, when a raging fire devastated an aluminum factory in a town in Europe. The fire, which broke out inside the anodizing company, involved several teams of rescuers who rushed to the place to tame the flames.

Fire in (town name omitted), fire in an aluminum factory: very high flames

A real wall of fire in front of which the firefighters found themselves. In the company in (town name omitted) - which deals with the oxidation of aluminum - the flames were tens of meters high and visible from miles away. Following the alarm, which went off around 20.25, about fifteen vehicles of firefighters intervened on the spot. According to what was learned and reported by (local news website), the factory was fortunately empty when the fire broke out. However, a very dense cloud of black smoke has formed in the air: the strong acrid smell. Firefighters, civil protection and municipal administration have asked residents to keep doors and windows closed and not to leave their homes. The nearest houses are located approximately 200 meters as the crow flies.

Rescuers at work late into the night

The environmental emergency - the source reports - should be averted: according to information from the firefighters, the fire would not have involved the acid drums present in the shed. The necessary investigations will be carried out in the next few hours. The uninterrupted work of the rescuers made it possible to put out the fire only around 1.30 am. The causes of the fire remain unknown at the moment. On the other hand, the damage to the factory building was considerable. Not the first time, however, that a fire has broken out inside the company: a similar episode had already occurred in 2018.

We are ecstatic that no one was injured in this incident. To the firemen approaching the flames ten meters in high had to be scary. Let alone the company was closed. Apparently a few years ago the fire department personnel responded to a previous fire at this company. No doubt some of the firemen responding to the 2021 blaze were there in 2018. Familiarity with the layout no doubt provided an advantage this time around.

One news media article stated that it appeared a storage tank on the exterior of the building caught fire. The fire than traveled to the facility and continued.

The APSB have posted numerous incidents that have occurred when a business was closed. Either during the weekend, or a holiday a fire broke out. The response by fire department personnel will vary. We have reported on incidents where fire department personnel were unfamiliar with the premises and made a decision to contain the fire and not let it spread. In other words, the fire department made a decision that letting the building burn  was the safest option. We do not doubt these decisions. Aluminium companies can assist in preventing the decision from being made by providing tours to local fire departments. If local fire departments are aware of a factory’s layout. Where emergency shutoffs are. Where the hazards are. They are more than likely to enter the premises if the factory is closed.

Does your company offer fire department personnel a tour of your premises on a regular scheduled basis?

The Aluminium Times magazine had an article about the importance of having a relationship with the fire department(s) that would respond to assistance to your plant if called. The article can be found here.

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