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Oxygen cylinder fire – an update
Author(s) -
Kelly F. E.,
Hardy R.,
Henrys P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/anae.12698
Subject(s) - interim , coroner , medicine , cylinder , relief valve , medical emergency , forensic engineering , poison control , mechanical engineering , injury prevention , law , engineering , political science
Colleagues may be interested to know that an interim report has been prepared, following the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and BOC Ltd, into the fire that we experienced on our intensive care unit (ICU) in Bath in 2011 [1]. A CD-sized medical oxygen cylinder caught fire whilst being prepared for a patient who was being transferred to another hospital. The oxygen valve was badly burnt in the fire, destroying any of the evidence that may have helped to identify the cause of the ignition. This means that the exact cause of the fire may never be known. Although the HSE have closed their case, BOC and GCE (the valve manufacturer) are continuing with their investigation to try and identify any possible factors that may have caused the cylinder to ignite. The interim report was prepared at the request of our local Coroner, as part of her investigation into the death of the patient who suffered burns in the fire [2]. The investigation found that the fire appeared to start inside the cylinder valve, rather than being caused by an external factor. This is supported by witness descriptions of the event, with sparks seen coming from the valve outlet before it caught fire, and from the extent of the damage to the internal components of the cylinder valve. It is probable that many factors were involved in the exact chain of events, and it must be emphasised that all causes of the fire suggested below are speculative. To provide an insight into the investigation, it should be noted that a fire requires three elements to all be present: a fuel (something that will burn); a source of ignition (such as a naked flame, spark or elevated temperature to start the fire); and oxygen (to support the ignition).