Event
- Event ID
- 1251
- Quality
- Description
An explosion occurred at the fume treatment unit of a foundry. The fumes contained chlorine, used in the metal treatment process. The treatment unit function by spraying water and caustic soda. The facility was put in safe mode and the furnaces containing metal were shut down. Restarting the furnaces was subject to approval by the classified installations inspectorate.
- Event Initiating system
- Classification of the physical effects
- Hydrogen Release and Ignition
- Nature of the consequences
- Macro-region
- Europe
- Country
- France
- Date
- Component involved
- treatment system (gas / fume / dust)
- Failure mode
- rupture & ignition
- Initiating cause
- run-away reaction
- Root CAUSE analysis
The ROOT CAUSE was the lack of regulation prohibiting the use of hydrogen for entertainment balloons.
- Root causes
- Date entry in HIAD
- 25/12/2025
Facility
- Application
- Steel and metals industry
- Sub-application
- Al metallurgy
- Hydrogen supply chain stage
- Process temperature range [C]
- ambient temperature (-50°C to +50°C)
- Location type
- Open
- Location
- populated area
- Operational condition
Emergency & Consequences
- Number of fatalities
- 0
- Number of injured persons
- 0
- Official legal action
Restarting the furnaces was subject to approval by the classified installations inspectorate.
In-depth data
- Release type
- gas-dust mixture
- Involved substances (% vol)
- H2
NaOH
aluminium dust - Release temperature [°C]
- 25
- Probable IGNITION SOURCE
- Explosion type
References
- Sources categories
- ARIA
- Reference & weblink
Event nr 61581 of the French database ARIA
https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/accident/61581/
(accessed December 2025)
