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Radiological Control Training for Supervisors
DOE-HDBK-1143-2001
Handouts
Fire in a Contaminated Cutting Facility
An area was set aside in a decontamination facility to be used to reduce the size
of metal contaminated waste by cutting large pieces into smaller pieces for easier
handling and disposal. Since some of the cutting operations employed oxygen-
acetylene cutting torches, the area had to be approved in accordance with the
plant fire protection program.
The plant fire protection engineer inspected the facility and developed a
procedure to control the use of cutting torches in the facility. The procedure
required:
1.
A metal enclosure that would prevent the passing of slag and sparks to
surrounding areas had to be constructed and equipped with a portable
ventilation unit.
2.
Two fully charged fire extinguishers and a fire watch must be present in
the area at all times while torch cutting is in progress.
3.
Removal of all loose combustible materials from the facility before torch
cutting operations begin.
4.
Protection of any fixed combustible materials with fire retardant materials.
5.
No storage of combustible materials within forty feet of the cutting
enclosure.
A welder and a fire watch were assigned to cut up several large pieces of steel in
the facility. When operation had been underway for several minutes, the fire
watch noticed flames in the corner of the facility. He notified the welder to stop
cutting operations and picked up one of the two fire extinguishers only to find it
empty. He then took the second fire extinguisher and put the fire out.
The investigation determined that the fire had started in a pile of paper towels in
the corner and would soon have spread to the unprotected combustible
ventilation trunk which had been moved from its original protected location
several weeks earlier for better smoke control.
Interviews with the workers involved and other workers who were periodically
assigned to work in the facility revealed that they were not satisfied with the
safety conditions in the facility in general and one had mentioned it to the
supervisor. Since work force cut-backs and lay-offs were expected, no one
wanted to "make waves."
Handouts 4


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