Accident: AirGas Facility Fatal Explosion
Location: Location: Pensacola, FL
Accident Occurred On: 08/28/2016 | Final Report Released On: 04/20/2017
Accident Type: Chemical Manufacturing - Fire and Explosion
Investigation Status: The CSB's investigation report was released at a news conference in Pensacola, FL, on 4.20.2017
The CSB's final report was released at a news conference in Pensacola, FL on 4/20/2017.
Provide effective warning about nitrous oxide decomposition hazards
Modify nitrous oxide pump product literature to include warnings about nitrous oxide decomposition hazards, illustrated by examples from historical incidents, and refer users to this CSB investigation report for additional information.
The goal of 2016-04-I-FL-R1 is to prevent all nitrous oxide explosions at its facilities, while preventing harm to workers and the public.
Following the August 28, 2016, incident, the company began a comprehensive initiative to review its nitrous oxide production facilities, trucking fleet, and cylinder-filling operations. The scope of the ongoing Air Liquide initiative is shown in Table 1.
Complete the development and implementation of the company’s nitrous oxide business process safety initiative as shown in Table 1, consistent with the findings, conclusions, and recommendations contained in this report.
Safety Management System for Nitrous Oxide Manufacturing
Develop and implement a safety management system standard for nitrous oxide manufacturing, to manage known process safety hazards, including nitrous oxide decomposition, which includes appropriate elements based on chemical industry good practice guidance, such as CCPS Guidelines for Risk Based Process Safety, Essential Practices for Managing Chemical Reactivity Hazards, and Guidelines for Implementing Process Safety Management.
Ensure Effective Flame Arrestor Design
Modify Compressed Gas Association (CGA) standard CGA G-8.3, Safe Practices for Storage and Handling of Nitrous Oxide to require testing of safety devices, such as strainers used as flame arrestors, for applications where a safety device is used to quench a nitrous oxide decomposition reaction. To ensure that these safety devices meet the intended purpose, the user should test the safety device by simulating conditions of use. In addition, require users to document the required performance standard or test protocol followed.
Require Pump Run-Dry Safety Interlocks Apply ISA-84
Modify Compressed Gas Association (CGA) standard CGA G-8.3, Safe Practices for Storage and Handling of Nitrous Oxide to reference and require applying International Society of Automation (ISA) standard ISA-84, Functional Safety: Safety Instrumented Systems for the Process Industry Sector to safety interlocks such as the nitrous oxide pump “run-dry” shutdown.