Description of the incidents
On November 21, 2019 two incidents occurred at the Melamine 4 factory on the Chemelot Industrial Park. As a result, two siren alarms were activated for siren area 22 on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus. The first siren alarm was activated during rush hour towards the Campus location. Campus residents were noticed queuing towards the Gate 2 entrance instead of following the diversion signs. Most of the Campus residents that were present on the Campus location, went to the nearest toxic shelter (RDR) and stayed there until the end of the siren alarm was given.
Siren alarm 1 was activated at 7:05 a.m. and lasted until 7:31 a.m. The siren alarm was caused due to a leakage through the gasket of one of the plungers of an ammonia pump. The pump leakage was quickly remedied. Sometime before the incident the ammonia pump was open for maintenance. The investigation of the incident indicated that the piping was mounted under tension. As a result, during a turnaround (major maintenance) at the Melamine 4 factory, the pumps are now checked and the pipework will be adjusted so the piping is mounted tension-free.
Siren alarm 2 was activated at 22:40 p.m. and lasted until 00:20 a.m. The siren alarm was caused due to the breaking of water lock of an urea tank. The incident caused an odor nuisance on the Campus location. A water screen was installed which limited the duration of the emission nuisance. Together with a One in Safety workgroup, the Melamine 4 factory is working to improve their emission mapping and communication in the event of an emission incident.