| Case Name |
Ignition of printing ink caused due to static electricity from a functional drop of a static elimination device of a rotary press |
| Pictograph |
|
| Date |
October 11, 1989 |
| Place |
Gyoda, Saitama, Japan |
| Location |
Printing factory |
| Overview |
On October 11th, 1989. A fire started from the second color ink pan of a photogravure multiple rotary press. Printing started neglecting deterioration of the self-discharge style static elimination device, and it was considered that printing ink was ignited by a spark of static electricity. |
| Incident |
A fire started from the second ink pan of the photogravure rotary press machine during printing. |
| Processing |
Consumption and usage |
| Substance |
Printing ink |
| Type of Accident |
Fire |
| Sequence |
About 09:55 on October 11th, 1989. Printing started with a photogravure rotary press machine.
10:28. A fire started at the second color ink pan.
11:05. The fire was confirmed to have been extinguished. |
| Cause |
A self-discharge style static elimination device was deteriorated. Therefore, it was considered that combustible vapor from printing ink was ignited by a spark of static electricity. Refer to Fig2. |
| Response |
Two printing machines were stopped. Fire extinguishing was undertaken using a foam fire extinguisher and a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. |
| Countermeasures |
Installation of voltage measurement equipment for static electricity. Conducting voltage measurements without fail. |
| Knowledge Comment |
It is necessary to install not only a static eliminating device but also voltage measurement equipment for checking the static eliminating device. |
| Background |
A major factor was that it was forgotten or not understood that an ink solvent is light hydrocarbon and a flammable dangerous material: toluene. Also, the main cause of the accident must be a management problem, as the press machine was operated even when the static elimination device was deteriorated. |
| Reason for Adding to DB |
Example of fire caused due to a functional drop of a static electricity elimination device |
| Scenario |
| Primary Scenario
|
Poor Value Perception, Poor Safety Awareness, Inadequate Risk Recognition, Organizational Problems, Poor Management, Slackness of Management, Ignorance, Insufficient Knowledge, Do not want to think about anything, Malicious Act, Rule Violation, Safety Rule Violation, Bad Event, Electrical Failure, Failure of Stattic Electricity Remover, Secondary Damage, External Damage, Fire, Loss to Organization, Economic Loss, Direct Monetary Damage 16 million yen
|
|
| Sources |
Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Major cases of accidents. Ignition of printing ink by static electricity. Accident cases of dangerous materials. pp.35, 226-227.
|
| Physical Damage |
A photogravure rotary press and a duct were damaged by fire. About 100 liters of printing ink burned. |
| Financial Cost |
¥ 15 million (Accident cases of dangerous materials) |
| Multimedia Files |
Fig2.Accident-generation factor figure
|
| Field |
Chemicals and Plants
|
| Author |
DOBASHI, Ritsu (School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)
TAMURA, Masamitsu (Center for Risk Management and Safety Sciences, Yokohama National University)
|
