EFIC cylinder fails in rural Florida Fire department
CairnsAIR recently received a report from the Hawthorne (FL) Fire Department of a catastrophic failure of an EFIC full-wrap, low-pressure cylinder (2,216 psi). The cause of failure was not apparent in the initial investigation. CairnsAIR is working with SCI (the new owner of EFIC) and the local fire department authorities to determine the cause of the failure and if any corrective action will be needed.
The failure occurred on July 3 at about 8:30 p.m. at the fire station after firefighters had just moved the truck back into the fire station and had left for their quarters. There were no injuries. The truck and station were severely damaged, as were several breathing apparatus stored with the unit that ex-ploded.
The cylinder had last been used in a training fire a month before. The unit reportedly was not exposed to extreme heat or hazardous materials, was maintained in accordance with the department`s normal SCBA inspection and maintenance procedures, and did not show any telltale signs that could have indicated a potential failure. It had been hydrotested about three months before the incident.
The fire department notified CairnsAIR through the company`s 24-hour, seven-day-a-week emergency paging system. Cylinders to replace those removed from service were immediately sent to the fire department. An investigation was initiated the following week when SCI and CairnsAIR officials arrived at the fire station. The investigation is still underway; the cylinder is in the hands of a failure analysis research facility.
CairnsAIR, which has taken immediate steps to identify cylinders manufactured from the same lot as the one that failed, reports that “the number was limited” and that “U it is currently evident that the cylinder that failed was a rogue, isolated `outlier.`” Therefore, CairnsAIR adds, the cylinders have not been quarantined. Additional information will be released when the failure analysis has been completed and SCI`s investigation has been concluded.
CairnsAIR has issued the following warning to SCBA users:
“The incident in Hawthorne has reinforced and heightened appreciation for the power contained in SCBA cylinders. Proper care, maintenance, inspection, and periodic testing are clearly the only way to go to maintain an acceptable level of protection and safety for the members of your fire department. Careful inspection, proper care for the units while issued to firefighters, and the periodic hydrotesting of all cylinders are imperatives every fire department should emphasize U.”
For additional information, contact Cairns- AIR on the internet at www.cairnsair.com, or call the factory at (302) 325-1190.
