Some info, fyi _______________________________________________________________________________ To: rbusche; Safety; Multiple recipients of list SAFETY From: Albert Baas on Wed, May 22, 1996 1:06 AM Subject: Re: FW: Fire at Dusseldorf airport in Germany
> Date sent: Tue, 21 May 1996 11:26:29 -0600 > Send reply to: Safety <[email protected]> > From: rbusche <[email protected]> > Subject: FW: Fire at Dusseldorf airport in Germany > To: Multiple recipients of list SAFETY <[email protected]> > Please respond to Bob if you can provide any information....Thanks > _______________________________________________________________________________ > To: [email protected] > Cc: [email protected] > From: PS INCIDENT MGT. 223-8141 on Tue, May 21, 1996 11:20 AM > Subject: re: Fire at Dusseldorf airport in Germany > > > > > Hello, > > > There was apparently a fire at the Dusseldorf airport in Germany a few weeks > back. What I understand is that some welding going on outside the terminal > ignited cables in an air duct. Allegedly 40 people were overcome by fumes/ > smoke and the information I have indicates a couple deaths occurred. > > Officials(not sure which ones) are now seeking information as to PVC, > cadmium, > and asbestos content of equipment. Interesting list of materials. I have no > idea how many manufacturers have been asked to provide this information. > > Anyway, the purpose for this note is to ask if anyone has heard of this > incident and if someone might have some details about the incident. What > little information I have has raised questions in my mind as to what really > occurred and why. Are computer and electronics manufacturers the only ones > being picked on or are manufacturers of other items one would find in an > airport terminal also being asked to provide this type of information. > > This is just my curiosity at work. > > > Regards, > > Bob Brister > Digital During welding operations (not IN the air duct) a bundle (Is that the correct word ?) cables ignited. Because of the PVC insulation lots of toxic fumes were released. These toxic fumes were transported trough the air ducts of the airconditioning system to the passengers terminal. 16 people died of the toxic fumes. and a lot of people where hospitalized. Conclusions where: Unsafe welding Unsafe design of air ducts (no backflush/fire valves) No flame proof cable insulation Burning PVC releases hydrogenchloride, chlorinated hydrocarbons. I have not heard anything of cadmium, but cadmiumcompounds are sometimes used as pigments for yellow colour in plastics. Hydrogencyanide may be released by burning thermal insulation material. Albert Baas Rijkshogeschool IJselland Faculteit CMT P.O.Box 357 7400 AJ Deventer The Netherlands Phone +31 570 663061 Fax +31 570 663667 E-Mail [email protected]
