A podcast more focused on industrial fire departments and industrial hazmat response. From discussing interesting calls, to talking about equipment, to touching on distinctly corporate aspects of the job, the Industrial Strength team delves into different aspects of working within an industrial hazmat team. Through these podcasts the team endeavors to shed more light on what’s often an overlooked part of the public safety sector for other industry insiders as well as visitors from municipal teams.
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A podcast more focused on industrial fire departments and industrial hazmat response. From discussing interesting calls, to talking about equipment, to touching on distinctly corporate aspects of the job, the Industrial Strength team delves into different aspects of working within an industrial hazmat team. Through these podcasts the team endeavors to shed more light on what’s often an overlooked part of the public safety sector for other industry insiders as well as visitors from municipal teams.
Industrial Strength Podcast – Episode 22: It’s Smoke... Or Is It?
Industrial Strength Podcast
28 minutes 34 seconds
1 month ago
Industrial Strength Podcast – Episode 22: It’s Smoke... Or Is It?
Episode OverviewIn this kickoff to a new mini-series on "First Calls," the team revisits a perplexing chemical incident involving a mysterious white cloud inside a chemical operations building. What starts as a routine product workup turns into an emergency response puzzle involving volatile chemical reactions, PPE decisions, and an operator who noped out mid-incident.Through firsthand storytelling and expert banter, Steve, Randy, and Jeff dive deep into what happened, how they assessed the situation, and what they’d do differently in hindsight. Segment Breakdown & Timestamps(0:30 – 1:36) Introductions Meet the hosts – experienced hazmat technicians and specialists from industrial backgrounds.(1:36 – 2:54) Setting the Scene Steve introduces the incident: a white cloud appears during a routine process, prompting ERT involvement.(2:54 – 4:23) Initial Assessment & Suspect Chemicals The team identifies chemicals involved – including chlorine, butyl lithium, THF, EVE, TFAA, and TEA – and starts evaluating possible reactions.(4:23 – 6:12) Layout & Room Design Details about the process room design – including reinforced walls and blowout sections – and its implications for containment and safety.(6:12 – 9:02) Chemical Reactions & Smoke Source Theory Randy provides insight into how TFAA and TEA may have reacted in a humid environment, creating an acid-base reaction and generating white smoke.(9:02 – 11:13) Eyewitness Vanishes A key operator flees the scene as the night shift arrives, leaving the ERT without firsthand information about what happened.(11:13 – 13:13) Mitigation Strategy Without a clear cause, the team decides to finish charging the remaining TFAA to remove a variable and stabilize the situation.(13:13 – 16:19) PPE Selection & Suit Debate A debate on Level A vs. Level B protection, and the real-world PPE used by operations vs. emergency response.(16:19 – 20:23) Steve’s First Call – In the Hot Seat Steve describes his PPE during this, his very first call, and how he was suited up in a hybrid setup of air jacket and waders.(20:23 – 21:36) Final Observations & Discovery After the smoke dissipates, the root cause is revealed: a leaky manway gasket venting vapors into the room.(21:36 – 25:06) Hypothetical Entry & Decon Talk The crew discusses how they’d handle an emergency entry: meters to bring (PID, pH paper, colorimetric tubes) and decon procedures (water vs. sodium bicarbonate).(25:06 – 26:14) Communication Failures A previous shift had noticed similar smoke events multiple times… and never reported it.(26:14 – 28:32) Wrap-up & Teasers Banters, jokes, and what’s coming next – fire extinguishing with chemicals! Chemicals Discussed* TFAA (Trifluoroacetic Anhydride) – Hygroscopic and highly reactive with water, produces acids.* TEA (Triethylamine) – A strong base, highly reactive with acids.* Butyl Lithium, THF, EVE – Additional hazardous players.* Reaction Suspected: Acid-base interaction accelerated by humidity. Email us at hazmetharder@gmail.com Stay tuned for the next episode: “Fighting Fire With... Chemicals?”And as always... Hazmat harder.
Industrial Strength Podcast
A podcast more focused on industrial fire departments and industrial hazmat response. From discussing interesting calls, to talking about equipment, to touching on distinctly corporate aspects of the job, the Industrial Strength team delves into different aspects of working within an industrial hazmat team. Through these podcasts the team endeavors to shed more light on what’s often an overlooked part of the public safety sector for other industry insiders as well as visitors from municipal teams.
