In West, investigators’ focus shifts from explosion’s cause to closing safety gaps

[white cloud]

snip

Investigators revealed for the first time Thursday that West Fertilizer had used wooden bins to store the ammonium nitrate that detonated in the same building with dry, combustible seeds. As the fire intensified, debris and equipment fell on top of the ammonium nitrate, providing the shock that probably caused the explosion.

West Fertilizer also didn’t have fire sprinklers that could have controlled or stopped the blaze, a company spokesman previously confirmed. The use of sprinklers is a best practice from the National Fire Protection Association, but Texas does not mandate that with a state fire code.

“We’re not going to get into the regulatory side,” Assistant State Fire Marshal Kelly Kistner, when asked whether the plant’s ammonium nitrate storage followed best practices or whether his agency would support a uniform statewide fire code.






http://www.dallasnews.com/news/west-explosion/headlines/20130518-in-west-investigators-focus-shifts-from-explosions-cause-to-closing-safety-gaps.ece?ssimg=1022095#ssStory1022101

[Thinkingabout]

1. It may turn out not to be a safety issue but I am sure plans could have been in place it provide

safety. Again an industry unable or unwilling to regulate themselves and inspections which should have been performed was not done and of course the House can spend $52M voting to attempt to repeal the ACA but does not want to spend money on inspectors. They should start investigating themselves for failures of congress. I guess the owners of this fertilizer company will declare they did not know they could have a large explosion and it would cause damage, as proven by only having $1M liability insurance. I am the owner of a small residential AC/Heating company and we carry $2M liability so their choice to only purchase this amount of insurance is criminal.

[ruffburr]

2. I'm just-

So surprised that they had 0 safety precautions as we all know those texans are so damn (greedy) smart and care about their fellow texans just look at the oversight from ol perry's state house (none) y'all feel safe now ya hear . Dumasses!

[annabanana]

3. “We’re not going to get into the regulatory side,”

Then it will happen again and again.

[white cloud]

4. ATF just gave the people of West the reason for such destruction

“We’re not going to get into the regulatory side,”

Along with compliance with common sense safety rules.

[TexasTowelie]

5. State Fire Marshall Office

Underfunded and ineffective, just like the GOP desires. Yes, this will happen again and I'm surprised that disasters like this do not occur more frequently.