Fire -- Chlorine Gas

Effective Date: 11/20/1974

U.S. Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

Notice No. 013

November 20, 1974

OCS Operations Safety Alert

Fire--Chlorine Gas

A minor fire on an offshore production platform recently became a potentiallydeadly situation by generating chlorine gas.

Heat from the exhaust of a generator set fire to the tie-down ropes on a liferaft located on a rail outside the generator building. The fire spread throughthe raft igniting containers of chlorine tablets producing chlorine gas.

One man was overcome by the gas but fortunately was not serious injured. Thefire was easily extinguished.

To prevent recurrence of such incidents, the operator has conducted aninspection of all platforms to insure that all combustible material is a safedistance from engine exhausts.

[signature] D.W. Solanas

Oil and Gas Supervisor

Field Operations

Gulf of Mexico Area