Any machinery that uses hydraulic fluid has the potential for a leak. The leak is not because of improper design per se, but typically wear. When (not if) that occurs. The pressure will force the hydraulic fluid to atomize in a fine mist or spray. When that cloud of mist comes into contact with an ignition source it may ignite if the fluid is flammable. Here is yet another incident highlighting this hidden hazard located throughout our industry.
The local Fire Department has responded to calls of a fire at (automotive company’s name omitted) factory this afternoon.
Initial reports indicated there was a heavy column of smoke coming from the north end of the factory that is currently under construction. It has since been learned the fire is located at one of the two (aluminium casting) machines.
The fire was reportedly an oil fire. As a result staff were told to use sand to extinguish the flames and not water. There are no reports of injuries at the scene.
As of (later that) evening, the fire at the (town name) factory was under control with fire engines and a truck remaining at the scene to monitor the situation. The cause of the fire was determined to be “molten aluminum and hydraulic fluid.”
We are ecstatic no one was injured during this incident. We pray that the equipment damage is minimal and production has since resumed. With that said flammable hydraulic fluid should not be used unless there is no viable alternative. Why? Because a leak will occur and a fire will result. The question then is will the factory burn down. Yes, that is a very real possibility. One only has to look back toward our history and see that indeed some facilities have been destroyed because of these fires.
The Aluminium Times
magazine had an article on this topic. It can be found here.
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