Alert 98 – 07 Potential for Fire: Air Compressors
WHAT HAPPENED:
A semi-submersible MODU experienced a fire and explosion in its machinery equipment space due to an internal fire in a screw-type air compressor. A static electricity spark from the separator element in the reservoir tank ignited the fire, which burned away the rubber seals on the discharge line. The line separated, discharging an oil/air mixture. The fire then ignited the oil spray that had been discharged into the Machinery Space.