Fire -- Boiler Ignited
Effective Date: 8/2/1978
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 071
August 2, 1978
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fire -- Boiler Ignited
Recently, a fire on an offshore production platform damaged a fiberglass building and the enclosed equipment. The source of the fire was the boiler for the freshwater supply system.
The fire was caused by deterioration of the insulation within the boiler unit. One or more insulation panels inside the boiler became loose and fell across the burner causing part of the flame to deflect out of the bottom of the firebox. The diverted flame ignited one wall of the building which was located about one foot from the boiler. The fire was discovered by production personnel who quickly extinguished the blaze. Damage to the facility was moderate.
To prevent possible repetition of this incident the operator will:
1. Make more frequent equipment inspections to insure that the insulation is securely fastened.
2. Install a fire detection system to both sound an alarm, and to activate a fuel shut-off valve in case a fire occurs.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area