At about 8 a.m., in a feed manufacturing plant, a fire broke out on the cooler of the pellet manufacturing unit. The cooler at the plant had a nominal capacity of 4 to 5 t and contained 2.5 t of granules. Before the fire brigade’s arrival, the operator was able to bring the fire under control using the twenty or so fire extinguishers available. Production was stopped, and the system was checked to ensure that no fuel elements were present in the press, clump remover or the cyclone. Property damage and loss of production were estimated at €2,500.
A mobile phone found in the handling system was determined to be at the origin of the damage. The friction of the telephone or its battery that separated from the device would have generated incandescent particles causing the materials to ignite. It may well have been the mobile phone of a driver who had delivered the grain to the site.
The operator plans to implement safety measures for its chillers:
- “emergency stop” sensors connected to flame-retardant cords positioned across the coolers;
- PT 100 type temperature sensors in the coolers’ air intake ducts;
- a system to automatically spray water onto the coolers;
- closing dampers on the intake ducts.
If one of the two safety devices is activated, the granulation system (press + cooler + suction) will automatically and immediately stop working. The technician will conduct a visual inspection before the manual reset required to restart operations. In the event of simultaneous activation of both safety systems, which would suggest a fire, the system will be automatically and immediately shut down, the intake duct damper will close and water will be sprayed at the same time alarm siren is activated.
The operator also set up organisational measures, prohibiting smoking and the use of telephones around the reception pits. Verbal reminders have been given, and posters at the incoming weighbridge have already been installed for the drivers. The message was also passed on to the shippers.
