CSB Investigation at Barton Solvents Des Moines, Iowa, Facility Progressing; Immediate Cause was Ignition of Spraying Ethyl Acetate During Loading Operation; Agency Continues Examination of July, 2007 Barton Accident in Wichita, Kansas
Monday, November 5th, 2007A new release from the Chemical Safety Board:
Des Moines, Iowa, November 1, 2007 - Investigators for the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) said today progress is being made in the investigation of a large explosion and fire which occurred at the Barton Solvents facility in Des Moines, Iowa on October 29. The company packages, stores, and delivers solvents and other chemical products, many of which are widely used in the paint and coatings industry.
Lead Investigator Randy McClure said the accident occurred when an as-yet unidentified source ignited the ethyl acetate solvent being loaded into a 330 gallon square tank, called a tote. Mr. McClure said the operator who was filling the tote had turned away momentarily when he heard what was described as a popping sound, which witnesses believe was a pressure relief device.
Mr. McClure said, ‘A fireball then erupted from the tote. Pressure from the eruption knocked the filling nozzle out of the tank, spraying ethyl acetate into the room and onto the operator. His clothing ignited, but he quickly removed the ignited clothing and escaped serious injury. Another operator tried to use a hand held extinguisher to battle the blaze, but it emptied before the fire could be extinguished. He then shut off all power to the area and the plant was successfully evacuated. The flames spread quickly and eventually consumed and destroyed a large portion of the facility.’
Mr. McClure said, ‘We will conduct tests to determine if the solvent could have produced enough static electricity to be the ignition source. We will also evaluate the design and maintenance of equipment in the area to determine its suitability for use in a flammable environment.’
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