What caused the pepcon explosion?
A windstorm had damaged a fiberglass structure and employees were using a welding torch to repair the steel frame. The USFA report stated that this activity caused a fire that spread rapidly in the fiberglass material, accelerated by nearby ammonium perchlorate residue.
When did pepcon explode?
May 4, 1988
Twenty-eight years ago, the Las Vegas Valley experienced one of the largest explosions in history — PEPCON. A fire started inside a building at Pacific Engineering and Production Corporation of Nevada’s (PEPCON) plant on May 4, 1988. In four minutes, the fire rapidly spread and ignited three massive explosions.
What would happen if a chemical plant exploded?
By the creation of gases, the build-up of heat, and the reaction, a chemical plant can become the source of serious and debilitating explosions. These can result in serious plant explosion injuries, such as third-degree burns, and even severe property damage that can affect the local community for years to come.
What is a chemical plant explosion?
If a chemical is released within a hazardous area, it can react with a heat source to cause a serious accident. Sometimes, plant explosions are caused by the use of impure chemicals. Impure chemicals may produce large amounts of gas, which can trigger a dangerous reaction and ensuing explosion.
How do you make ammonium perchlorate?
Ammonium perchlorate is produced from sodium perchlorate by mixing sodium perchlorate solution with ammonium chloride, heating the solution mixture to about 100° C. and then cooling it at a controlled rate to achieve the desired particle size distribution.
What causes explosion?
An explosion is caused by a rapid expansion of gas from a chemical reaction or an incendiary device. Signs of an explosion may be a very loud sound or a series of noises and vibrations, fire, heat, smoke, falling glass or debris.
How can we prevent explosions?
prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere, including by ventilation. collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place. avoid ignition sources. avoid adverse conditions (such as exceeding pressure/temperature limits) that could lead to danger.
How does explosion occur?
ISO 8421-1, EN 1127-1 defines an explosion as “a sudden oxidation or decomposition reaction with increase of temperature, pressure or both at the same time.” This refers to a chemical reaction that with a simultaneous convergence of oxygen (air), a flammable material and a source of ignition in a particular ratio.
Why do you open your mouth during an explosion?
Explosions create waves of increased pressure, followed by negative pressure, which can be extremely damaging to ears and internal organs. Keeping ones mouth open is said to equalize pressure, therefore reducing internal damage.
Do you feel pain when you explode?
They feel a jolting sensation that is not like anything they’ve ever experienced before in their lives. It can be much more severe than that and produce unconsciousness and damage to the body. Some of that is related to other aspects of the explosion obviously.
How did the rocket fuel plant catch fire?
Ignition Welding torch ignited structure of chemical plant. Construction Fiberglass walls in steel-frame building helped spread fire. Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Plant produced and stored ammonium perchlorate, an oxidizer in rocket fuels.
When did the PEPCON chemical plant explode in Nevada?
The largest of the several explosions at the PEPCON plant. On May 4, 1988, a conflagration followed by several explosions occurred at the Pacific Engineering and Production Company of Nevada (PEPCON) chemical plant in Henderson, Nevada. The disaster caused two fatalities, 372 injuries, and an estimated US$100 million of damage.
Where was the PEPCON rocket booster plant located?
The PEPCON plant, located in Henderson, Nevada, 10 miles (16 km) from Las Vegas, was one of only two American producers of ammonium perchlorate (“AP”), an oxidizer used in solid propellant rocket boosters, including the Space Shuttle, military weapons ( SLBMs launched from nuclear submarines), and non-weaponized rocket programs (Atlas,…
Where was the ammonium perchlorate plant explosion in Nevada?
The PEPCON Ammonium Perchlorate Plant Explosion May 4, 1988, Clark County, NV: What began as a normal repair procedure at the Pacific Engineering Production Company of Nevada (PEPCON), a chemical plant specializing in the manufacture of a major component in solid propellant, ended in the worst way imaginable.
