Accident: CAI / Arnel Chemical Plant Explosion
Location: Location: Danvers, MA
Accident Occurred On: 11/22/2006 | Final Report Released On: 05/13/2008
Accident Type: Community Impact
Investigation Status: The CSB's final report was approved by a vote of the Board at a public meeting in Danvers, Massachusetts, on May 13, 2008.
During the early morning hours of November 22, a powerful explosion destroyed the CAI/Arnel ink and paint manufacturing facility in Danvers, Massachusetts. Scores of nearby homes and businesses were damaged, some beyond repair. A number of residents were hospitalized. There were no injuries in the plant, which was unoccupied at the time.
Develop a written safety program to manage hazardous process operations. The program should : -Prohibit heating flammable or combustible liquids above their flashpoints in tanks inside buildings unless the tanks are sealed and vented to the building exterior. -Require safety controls to prevent overheating of flammable or combustible liquids. - Apply the process safety management program elements as contained in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) Guidelines for Implementing Process Safety Management Systems to all processes that use flammable, toxic, or reactive chemicals. -Comply with the following, as applicable: OSHA Flammable and Combustible Liquids standard (29 CFR 1910.106), OSHA Process Safety Management standard (29 CFR 1910.119), National Fire Protection Association Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30), and National Fire Protection Association Standard for the Manufacture of Organic Coatings (NFPA 35).
Incorporate the Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30) and Standard for the Manufacture of Organic Coatings (NFPA 35) into the Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations.
Revise 527 CMR 14 to specify the maximum interval (such as annually) for local fire departments to conduct inspections of manufacturing facilities holding one or more licenses and permits to store and handle flammable materials.
Develop mandatory written inspection criteria to be used by the local fire departments when performing manufacturing facility inspections. Develop inspection training material and provide training to the local fire departments.
Revise the license and registration forms (FP-2 and FP-5) to require listing each hazardous material type and quantity. Identify the requirement that a separate license and permit are required for each of the eight classes of flammable material when the facility possesses more than the listed threshold quantity specified in 527 CMR 14.03 (2).
Revise the General Laws of Massachusetts addressing flammable materials licensing and registration: - As part of the annual registration renewal, require new and existing product manufacturing registrants to submit written certification to local governments stating that the facility complies with, at a minimum, all state and local fire codes and hazardous chemical regulations. -Require all companies holding a license and current registration to apply for an amended license and re-register the facility before increasing any flammable material quantity above the licensed amount or adding a different regulated chemical. Include a requirement in the approval process to solicit input from affected landowners, similar to the requirement for obtaining the original license and registration.
Amend the General Laws of Massachusetts to require the Office of the State Fire Marshal to audit local governments for compliance with the flammable materials licensing regulation and audit fire departments for compliance with permit issuance and inspection of manufacturing facilities licensed to store and handle flammable liquids and solids. The audits should be conducted at least once every five years.
Revise the International Fire Code: Chapter 20: - Specifically include "printing inks" in the definition of "organic coating." - Define equipment specifically discussed in the standard, such as open and closed kettles. - Require heated tanks and vessels containing flammable and combustible liquids to have equipment to prevent overheating, such as: devices to stop the heating process if the temperature exceeds the safe operating limits; devices to stop the heating process if the flammable vapor control equipment malfunctions (e.g., building ventilation system or heated tank vent); and a heating medium that is unable to heat the tank above safe operating temperatures. Chapters 20, 27, and 34: -Define "open", "closed", and "sealed and vented" process tanks. -Define "non-listed" process tanks. -Prohibit heating flammable and combustible liquids above their flashpoints in tanks inside buildings unless the tanks are sealed and vented to the building exterior.
Revise Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30): - Prohibit heating flammable and combustible liquids above their flashpoints in tanks inside buildings, unless the tanks are sealed and vented to the building exterior. - Require heated tanks and vessels containing flammable and combustible liquids to have equipment to prevent overheating, such as: devices to stop the heating process if the temperature exceeds the safe operating limits; devices to stop the heating process if the flammable vapor control equipment malfunctions (e.g., building ventilation system or heated tank vent); and a heating medium that is unable to heat the tank above safe operating temperatures.
Revise The Standard for the Manufacture of Organic Coatings (NFPA 35): -Define equipment specifically discussed in the standard, such as kettles and thin-down tanks. -Define the terms "open, "closed", and "sealed" and "vented." -Prohibit heating flammable and combustible liquids above their flashpoints in tanks inside buildings unless the tanks are sealed and vented to the building exterior. -Require heated tanks and vessels containing flammable and combustible liquids to have equipment to prevent overheating, such as: Devices to stop the heating process if the temperature exceeds the safe operating limits; Devices to stop the heating process if the flammable vapor control equipment malfunctions (e.g., building ventilation system or heated tank vent); and a heating medium that is unable to heat the tank above safe operating temperatures.
Pending revision of the Massachusetts Fire Safety Code (527 CMR), revise the town bylaws addressing 527 CMR 14 requirements applicable to facility licensing and annual registration to: -Require new and current product manufacturing registrants to certify in writing that the facility complies with, at a minimum, all state and local fire codes and hazardous chemical regulations as part of the annual registration renewal. -Require companies holding a license and current registration for any of the eight classes of flammable materials specified in 527 CMR 14.03 (2) to re-register the facility before increasing any chemical quantity above the registered amount or adding a different regulated chemical at the facility. Include a requirement in the approval process to solicit input from affected landowners, similar to the requirement for obtaining the original license and registration. -Revise the license and registration forms to require listing each hazardous material type and quantity, and require a separate license and permit for each of the eight classes of flammable materials specified in 527 CMR 14.03 (2) . -Require the fire department to annually inspect licensed manufacturing facilities for compliance with the fire code.