CTA Report, Draft 1, ISP Review - US Chemical Safety and Hazard ...

APPENDIX A: Fire and Explosion Damage
Table A-1 lists damage at the CTA facility as a result of the February 20, 2003, fire and dust explosions.
The damage is broken down by specific plant area and likely cause.
Table A-1
Fire and Explosion Damage
Location Damage Cause
Line 405
South of line
405
Between lines
403 and 405
Line 403
Concrete block masonry firewall on
east side partially collapsed and
pushed eastward
Metal panels detached at south end of
partially enclosed area above blend
room deformed in southward direction
Explosion overpressure originated in area
between oven and wall and in partially enclosed
area above blend room and below ceiling
Higher explosion overpressure in partially
enclosed area above blend room and below
ceiling
Damage to building roof above line Higher explosion overpressure inside plant in
this area
Ceiling panels and lights pushed
downward
Wall and polycarbonate panels of
blend room deformed and pushed out
in westward direction
Combustible material inside curing
oven burned away; metal conveyor
burned clean and free of debris; no
explosion damage observed inside
oven
Concrete block masonry firewalls
surrounding room directly south of line
and near raw material storage area
permanently deformed
Fire scorching in area where no
masonry walls extend to ceiling;
residual burnt resin material attached
to open-web steel joists
Concrete block masonry firewall in
open bay between lines collapsed
Metal panels above east wall of blend
room pushed westward
Oven exhaust line and thermal oxidizer
inlet line separated
Higher explosion overpressure in partially
enclosed area above blend room
Higher explosion overpressure inside blend
room
Burning of accumulated phenolic resins and
some chain oil inside oven
Higher explosion overpressure in room south of
line
Path of fire traveled from production area into
raw material storage area
Damage consistent with large rebound
movement of wall aided by wrap-around
pressure
Higher explosion overpressure east of line
Higher explosion overpressure inside thermal
oxidizer piping
101