Posted By lewes
Recently advised of a fire extinguisher exploading upon annual inspection on one of our sites.

Contractor reported it to manufacturer and trade association and have been advise a one off occurrence and no other knowledge of similar. I am currently waiting for a copy of the manufacturers report.

I feel this is reportable under RIDDOR as it was a uncontrolled explosion.

YES / NO ??

Posted By Darren J Fraser
Reportable dangerous occurrences are :

2. Explosion, collapse or bursting of any closed vessel or associated pipework.

Therefore in my humble opinion, it is reportable.

Regards

Daz

Posted By Mike Blease
Lewes, Steves response is correct. Unintended explosion relates to explosives as per class 1 Classification and Labelling of Explosives Regs. As steve points out it may be reportable under the dangerous occurences pressure systems section which states:
'The failure of any closed vessel (including a boiler or boiler tube) or of any associated pipework, in which the internal pressure was above or below atmospheric pressure, where the failure has the potential to cause the death of any person.'

So you may have to assess the size of the explosion and make a decision.

Mike

Posted By Darren J Fraser
Explode - verb - burst or shatter violently as a result of rapid combustion or excessive internal pressure.

An explosion does not need combustion or source of ignition, example: radiator cap on car explodes off radiator due to pressure build up, please identify where the combustion or ignition source is.

Do not wish to be perdantick (excuse spelling), just pointing out an explosion is not all about ignition source.

I stand to be corrected, shot down etc.

Regards

Daz

Posted By Jane Blunt
I agree with Daz on this one. In addition, his alternative examples for the use of the word explode are using the word in the same meaning as the (probably more common) explosion involving ignition.

The use of 'explode' in other senses is completely different and not comparable.

The entry on 'explosion' in the online encyclopaedia is interesting and gives you several examples, only some of which involve combustion.

Jane

Posted By Jason911
So just report it already!!!!!!!

This is obviously a one off, or at least a rare occurrance and as long as you have had the offending article inspected as you should have done, the HSE will take it no further.

Sometimes its better just to act than debate endlessy when the result is no different.

Right I've said my piece, Off home now.

Jay