Chemical Fires - From Response to Remediation

When chemical fires occur, various chemicals become mixed together with water and heated, thus reacting and forming other chemicals. Drums and tanks become unstable, the structure itself may be collapsed, and there are many unknowns. From toxicologist to technicians, everyone working on the response is acutely aware of the dangers, and prioritizes their tasks to balance safety with the need for stabilizing the site. The hazards to the responders and to the public are often forgotten once the fire is out, but this toxic soup formed by the event becomes a remediation scenario much more difficult to define than a typical spill.  

Controlling water is the single most important factor in minimizing impacts to the environment.  In the emergency phase, this may include containment and collection of fire water runoff.  As the project progresses, rains create stormwater concerns, sewer lines may be compromised, and penetrations in the slab may provide direct conduits to groundwater. With such a complex scenario, it is critical that the emergency response is conducted with the remediation in mind, and the remediation team understands the limits of the response. A team approach is necessary to conduct the cleanup in a fluid, controlled manner.