Hazmat suits and gas detection equipment required after ammonia leak

Post By: Shona Innes

Emergency services used gas detection equipment and hazmat suits to contain an ammonia leak in Grimsby last month, it has been revealed.

A cold storage facility was the scene of some drama late last month when emergency services had to be called to the unit after reports of a possible ammonia leak.

Fixed gas detection equipment can normally raise the alarm when noxious chemical fumes are present in the air, but Humberside Fire and Rescue was taking no chances at the incident in Grimsby.

According to the Grimsby Telegraph, a mobile decontamination unit was called in, while four fire engines were also in attendance.

The newspaper revealed that specialists were called to the Cryotech GY site after someone reported a strong smell of ammonia, which can be fatal to humans.

Nobody was hurt in the incident, but fire fighters wore gas-tight hazmat suits for their own protection while they checked the premises and were ready to respond should anyone have shown any symptoms of contamination.

Frontline Safety has a selection of these gas-tight suits from both MSA and Drager. The CPS 5900 from Drager is lightweight and ideal for hazmat incidents and the Vautex Elite suit from MSA offers reliable protection against gases, vapours, solid and liquid chemicals and infective agents.

Another feature of the Vautex Elite is that is resists toluene, 96% sulfuric acid, chlorine or ammonia for over 8 hours. Both this chemical protection suit and the Drager CPS 5900 can be purchased through the Frontline Safety website, or contact us on [email protected].

Humberside Fire and Rescue station manager Andy Peart told the newspaper that it is thought the leak came from the compressor room.

The fire fighters isolated the area as soon as they could with the help of engineers and continued to check over the site.

"It was reported that there was a strong smell of ammonia so we attended with four appliances and a special vehicle which carries decontamination equipment," Mr Peart explained to the news provider as the investigation was taking place.

"We are investigating with two operational personnel in gas-tight suits who are assessing the levels of ammonia in the building using gas detection equipment."

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to very high concentrations of gaseous ammonia can result in lung damage and death.

Posted by Dawn Mitchell