$100 MILLION FIRE
Sprinkler breakdown and occupancy storage contribute to New Jersey’s
An intense fire involving a structure used to fill and store aerosol cans destroyed a sprinklered 500,000 square-foot concrete block warehouse in the port area of Elizabeth. NJ. The fire began about 7:00 PM. on February 21, 1985. Losses are expected to exceed $100 million, making it one of the largest single-building dollar-loss fires on record.
The fire began in an office area of the New York Bronze Company in Elizabeth. NJ. The company’s operations involved placing propellents in cans of aerosol spray paint. Two other companies that shared space in the plant reportedly stored commodities such as rubber tires, motorcycles, clothing, computers, and other consumer merchandise.
Members of the Union County Arson Squad have determined that a power surge overloaded the electrical system in the bronze company’s office area, creating a fire. Power was lost to the fire pumps that supplied the sprinkler system. With the pumps out of service, the fire was able to spread quickly through the building.
Arriving firefighting units encountered heavy fire conditions in the 1.550 x 330-foot. 2 1/2-story building. The entire Elizabeth. NJ. Fire Department, as well as 13 mutual aid companies, were hampered by rocketing aerosol cans and firestorm conditions. Fireboats were used to protect the nearby port from any extension of fire.
Heavy smoke conditions necessitated closing the heavily traveled New Jersey Turnpike for about two hours. The Newark International Airport, also located nearby, was closed down for a short period of time as well. Air samples were taken by state officials to determine the toxicity of the smoke being produced. The fire was brought under control about 8:00 A.M. the next morning.
Aerosol Cans:_
Hazards and Precautions
The use of aerosol cans has become an integral part of today’s lifestyle. Despite their advantages, aerosol cans pose one of the worst fire hazards to today’s firefighter.
Aerosol cans contain three materials: 1.) the active ingredient, 2) the propellent, and 3) the solvent. A fourth material, an odorant, is sometimes found in cans containing health and beauty aid products.
If we examine the propellent and active ingredient more closely, we can discover the source of the problem with aerosol cans. For the most part, aerosol cans today use propane and isobutane as propellents. Both are. of course, highly flammable.
Active ingredients can be classified in three general groups of increasing danger. First is the water based group, which includes products such as shaving cream and window cleaner. The second, more hazardous, classification is the alcohol based group. Included are items such as hair spray and deodorants. The last, and most hazardous, group is the petroleum based category, including paint, automotive products, and lubricants.
Aerosol cans are pressurized anywhere from 50 to 160 psig. Although the cans are built to withstand internal pressures of 240 psig. failure pressures often result within a can when an exposure fire is nearby. The can will fail at its weakest point. The result is an exploding aerosol can that creates a large fireball and a rocketing projectile that leaves a trail of burning liquid behind.
Aerosols should be stored on 1 to 2 pallets only. Sprinklers must be provided with design densities as high as .60 gpm/square foot, depending on the aerosol type. Aerosols should be isolated from other materials.
When fighting fires involving aerosol cans, be aware that these fires spread very rapidly. Firefighting under these conditions is particularly difficult due to rocketing cans and fireballs created when the cans explode.
It is very important to supply the sprinkler system (if present) upon arrival at the scene The sprinklers will probably be severely taxed by the intense fire and will need the support of fire department supply lines
