Date: March 5, 2018
Location: Carlisle, Ohio (USA)
Address: 500 Business Parkway, 45005
Type: Potential Dust Explosion
Fuel: Dust/Solvent
Industry: Waterproofing and Building Supplies
Equipment: Mixing Tank
Company: Mar-Flex Waterproofing and Building Solutions
Previous Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Mar-Flex was founded in 1984 by a former volunteer firefighter, concerned that building materials of the time would not allow families to escape their homes or survive within their homes during emergencies and disasters.
The company manufactures commercial and residential waterproofing products including water based and solvent based membranes, drainage boards and rolls for architects, contractors, and custom home builders.
Description of Dust Explosion and Fire:
Multiple crews were dispatched to a Carlisle, Ohio facility on March 5, 2018, according to My Dayton Daily, following a dust explosion and subsequent fire. A fire lieutenant on the scene stated that a dust explosion had occurred, while a spokesperson for Mar-Flex Waterproofing and Building Solutions told reporters that static electricity had built up in a mixing vessel and had sparked, causing the blast. He went on to state that static electricity build-up is a common concern and that sprinklers immediately triggered and that no actual flames appeared during the incident in which fire departments arrived quickly.
According to WLWT5, a representative for the fire department said that the company was working with a chemical called S500 used for their sealants and that the explosion blew out part of the wall before causing a fire to begin in the container that held the S500.
The representative went on to say that, “The S500 was not really a concern. It’s a flammable liquid that you can use Class B foam on, which is what we did. We capped the container off, which contained it to the 800-gallon tank it was involved in,”
There was minimal damage to the facility itself with the only significant damage being a wall panel that blew out. The 10 employees who were on site at the time were able to be evacuated without any injuries.
According to Powder Bulk Solids, previous incidents at the facility include a chemical fire in 2004 and an explosion in 2011. No additional information could be found on these incidents.
Sources:
My Dayton Daily
WLWT5
Powder Bulk Solids
