10 fireman were injured/burned. Should there not have been signs indicating hazardous materials inside?Butane for oil extraction process tells me this is a cannabis operation. CBD oil? Butane tanks for this are usually 20 or 120 pounds.
I wonder how many were stored and if there were any extenuating factors that also could have made it a lot worse... say a gas line getting affected...
I just couldn't imagine that a regular sized CBD operation would store enough butane to cause such a massive explosion.
I am hoping no one got hurt.
10 fireman were injured/burned. Should there not have been signs indicating hazardous materials inside?
First and foremost my prayers are lifted for our colleagues at LAFD. Butane is a pretty common hydrocarbon used for cannabis oil extraction. With that, the use of it and other (ane’s) are strongly regulated in the industry in accordance with NFPA 1 and IFC and referenced codes and standards. Quantities of storage and control areas all are applicable as is the use and protection of such use within structures. The codes are specific as to where and how it is used in this industry as they are In identifying locations where it is used including building exteriors.
NFPA 1 requires all operations to have equipment designers or 3rd party engineering approvals of equipment layouts and configuration prior to use. Operators must have equipment manufacturer’s training and approval and continued education and training maintained. Transfilling is not permitted inside buildings and safety measures are also regulated for post-oil processing.
I would never speculate as to what caused this incident but can say with extreme confidence that illegal activity, non-compliant processes, equipment and activity coupled with human error is a leading contributive factor with hazardous incidents within these facilities.
10 fireman were injured/burned. Should there not have been signs indicating hazardous materials inside?
I would never speculate as to what caused this incident but can say with extreme confidence that illegal activity, non-compliant processes, equipment and activity coupled with human error is a leading contributive factor with hazardous incidents within these facilities.
Ok, maybe it is legal:::
https://www.pe.com/2016/10/15/marijuana-honey-oil-labs-ok-under-new-california-law/
https://abc7.com/downtown-los-angeles-fire-firefighters-hurt-explosion-injured/6192977/
Another example of an unintended consequence of the rush to legalize a product.
Excerpts from the article specifically to this incident (highlights are mine to summarize):
Adam Spiker, executive director of the cannabis industry group Southern California Coalition, said he didn't know what activities were taking place inside the building. However, if the business was using butane in cannabis extraction it would be illegal because the city has never issued a license for that type of operation.
Because of safety concerns, such businesses are typically restricted to industrial areas and kept away from urban centers.
"If they were doing volatile extraction with butane ... they couldn't be legal in the city of LA to do those types of activities," Spiker said.
He said the coalition was unaware of the business having any type of license and "something about this doesn't pass the smell test."
Information so far "puts up a lot of alarm bells," Spiker said.
Typically 25-50 lb with limits of 300 lbs per control areas x 2 max.So what is the normal size butane container you see??
And at on facility average quantity on hand ?
Typically 25-50 lb with limits of 300 lbs per control areas x 2 max.
Met some guys from LA when I spoke in Denver last October. Regulating this industry is challenging and often referred to as “building the plane while flying it” but still the most fun I’ve had in my fire service career.
All LPG operations are required to be done in a C1D1 room/booth with emergency power, interlocked detection, ventilation and lighting, non-sparking tools, bonding/grounding and fire suppression etc.
I agree but butane would have been all at once. The match head effect that I saw looked like oil or some similar chemical..But If you look at the flames, appears to me to be a gaseous fire.
I agree but butane would have been all at once. The match head effect that I saw looked like oil or some similar chemical..