Fire When Replacing a Hydrogen Cylinder
A man was burned when a fire broke out as a hydrogen cylinder was being changed in a governmental research centre. It was reported that the fire was started by a spark from a wrench. The sprinkler system put out the fire within minutes. A four litre (one US gallon) container of hydrochloric acid was broken during the incident, but caused no injuries. Several containers of methanol in the same area were not affected. The building was evacuated. Canberra makes nuclear instruments.
Event Date
November 19, 2004
Record Quality Indicator
Region / Country
Event Initiating System
Classification of the Physical Effects
Nature of the Consequences
Cause Comments
It was reported that the fire was started by a spark from a wrench.
Facility Information
Application Type
Application
Specific Application Supply Chain Stage
Components Involved
hydrogen cylinder
Location Type
Location description
Unknown
Pre-event Summary
a hydrogen cylinder was being changed
Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned
It is important to keep any ignition source, such as wrench, away when changing hydrogen cylinder.
Event Nature
Emergency Action
The sprinkler system put out the fire within minutes.
Detonation
No
Deflagration
No
High Pressure Explosion
No
High Voltage Explosion
No
Flame Type
Source Category