Fire While Starting Diesel Engine with Gas-driven Engine
Effective Date: 8/8/1983
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 116
August 8, 1983
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fire While Starting Diesel Engine with Gas-Driven Engine
A flash fire occurred when an employee attempted to start up a generatordriven by a diesel engine equipped with a gas-driven starter. The generator andengine were enclosed in a louvered housing. Ignition occurred when gas from thestarter exhaust outlet entered the housing because the gas exhaust vent line hadnot been reconnected to the exhaust outlet following repairs. Remote startingcapabilities also had not been reconnected, and the employee was required tooperate the gas control valve manually while standing in the doorway of thehousing. The gas which entered the housing is thought to have been ignited bythe bendix of the starter or by solid particles in the gas stream striking metalsurfaces. The employee suffered first, second, and third-degree burns; but shutoff the gas flow by means of the manual gas control valve, preventing moreextensive injury/damage.
To prevent a recurrence of this type of accident, the operator has:
1. Reconnected the gas exhaust vent line and remote starting capabilities.
2. Rerouted the gas exhaust vent lines upward, rather than downward throughthe deck.
3. Made a survey to assure that this subject accident potential does notexist on other facilities.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Regional Supervisor
Offshore Operations Support