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PA ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT RELEASED ON POWELL DUFFRYN TERMINALS INC.
Release Date: 05/08/98
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1998
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT RELEASED ON
POWELL DUFFRYN TERMINALS INC.
POWELL DUFFRYN TERMINALS INC.
A report issued this week by EPA identifies root causes and contributing factors of the April 10, 1995 explosions and fire that occurred at the Powell Duffryn Terminals Inc. (PDTI) in Savannah, Ga. Flammable vapor in a vapor control system ignited, triggering explosions and fire in the storage tanks. The fire damaged other storage tanks and caused them to leak. The leaked chemicals reacted and produced toxic hydrogen sulfide gas that caused injuries and forced an extended evacuation of nearby residents. The fire took three days to extinguish. The runoff from the fire contaminated an adjacent marsh on the Savannah River resulting in a fish kill. The Chemical Investigation Accident Team identified root causes and contributing factors that led to the explosion and fires at PDTI which included: inadequate design of the vapor control system; lack of flame arresters on the storage tanks; incomplete foam fire suppression systems on the tanks; inadequate secondary containment; and storage of incompatible chemicals within the same walled area. The report makes recommendations to prevent future incidents. Although EPA will continue to have a role in accident investigation and prevention of chemical accidents, the recently funded Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is now operational. The Board has responsibilities for chemical accident investigations. However, EPA is committed to completing investigations initiated prior to the funding of the Board. The report can be accessed on the Internet at: https://www.epa.gov/ceppo/acc-his.html. Copies of the report also can be obtained by calling NCEPI at 1-800-490-9198 and asking for document number EPA550R98003.
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