Near Miss Could Have Been Serious!

High Pressure Gaseous Extinguishing Systems

Many of you have high pressure gaseous extinguishing systems such as FM 200 or Inergen protecting computer or other electronic/MCC rooms. We are confident you have the systems serviced semi-annually as required by insurers and/or code authorities. This inspection should include weighing of the gas cylinders.

Near Miss
Recently one of our clients had a near miss while this service was being performed. The incident could have proved devastating to both the physical plant and personnel in the area. While conducting the service, the technician disconnected the cylinder and removed the connection to the discharge piping. The service tech then removed the cylinder from the rack.

What Happened?
A check valve malfunctioned, and allowed the main discharge valve to open. Could this incident have been prevented? YES! The manufacturers procedures call for the discharge line to be plugged or capped PRIOR to removing the cylinder from its restraining brackets. In this case, this critical step was omitted. Had the cap been installed, a loud pop would have occurred, but the cylinder would not have been able to rocket violently throughout the room. This was a very small deviation from the manufacturers requirements, but one which could have been fatal to the technician or others in the area.

Concrete Holes
The force was so deadly that large chunks of concrete were knocked from the floor as it bounced around the room. It was all over in a matter of seconds, but the incident will never be forgotten by those in or near the area.

Cabinet Damage
In this case, the service technician was the only person in the room. Although the cylinder damaged several cabinets, most were glancing blows which did not penetrate the cover. The one cabinet where the cylinder ended up was a spare which was not energized. As it turned out the plant was able to continue production with little interruption.

MCC Damage
This is what can happen when a Halon tank has a problem and rockets through a room, damaging rather than protecting!

MCC Mess

Panel & Panel Cover Damage

Tank & Tank Guts

Tank in Bucket

Tray Damage
Shortly after removal, the cylinder discharged and rocketed violently throughout the room, damaging cable trays and electrical panels.

More Tray Damage

What does this point out?

J Do not be bashful; ask your service technician if they are following the manufacturers service instructions in detail with regard all safety procedures. J Now is a good time to sit down with your provider and ask them to go over each service they are performing, insuring they are covering all needed inspections per appropriate NFPA standards. Make sure the frequencies are correct for each type of service. J As always, if you run into questions, your Matrix Risk Consultants Account Engineer is only a phone call or email away.

Matrix wants to insure that all your systems are properly and SAFELY maintained.