Extinguishing fire danger
(Nov. 29, 2002) Hydro Magnesium recently hosted a fire-fighting demonstration during the International Magnesium Association's European Safety Seminar.
The demonstration took place in Bottrop, Germany, and attracted 90 participants from various European countries. The target groups were safety staff, planning engineers, foundry managers, production foremen and fire fighters.
Hydro Magnesium hosted the practical fire-fighting practice mainly to demonstrate how magnesium reacts in a fire.
The IMA Safety Seminar, the fourth of its kind, offers an opportunity for the magnesium industry to learn about new developments and share safety experience.
Gunther Rienass and Svenn-Ivar Stromhaug of Hydro Magnesium demonstrated practical fire fighting, highlighting the most important issues and possible risks when working with magnesium.
They showed that while it is more or less impossible to ignite a magnesium ingot by using a welding torch, magnesium chips or fines ignite very easily and require precautions for safe operation.
When working with magnesium, a major safety rule regards clothing. A jacket made of a fabric approved for magnesium was tested. The jacket was covered by magnesium powder and the magnesium was ignited.
This demonstration showed how important it is to wear clean safety clothing when working with magnesium, particularly when it comes into contact with magnesium fines and liquid metal.
The last important item on the agenda was to show the different effects of several extinguisher classes. The A, B, and C extinguisher classes are strictly not recommended.
The Hydro Magnesium team demonstrated the well-known effect of using water on a magnesium fire, which resulted in a controlled explosion. Class D extinguishers are the best alternative when dealing with a magnesium fire, as, in most cases, they make use of salt.
Hydro Magnesium’s long-term experience and expertise in handling magnesium was underlined by the introduction of Hydro’s own development in fire-fighting equipment, the so- called flux gun. This gun sprays out salt on a magnesium fire by using compressed air.
"The main rule is to never use water to extinguish a magnesium fire," says Svenn Ivar Stromhaug. The practical training illustrated the decomposition of water and the potential risk for a hydrogen-oxygen explosion to occur.
Inquiries are welcome regarding individual training, which includes a theoretical and practical session on how to prevent a magnesium fire and how to act if a fire takes place.
For information about safety clothing or equipment for fire fighting (flux-gun), contact magnesium@hydro.com.
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