Explosion Risks during Firefighting Operations in Storage Rooms and the Transport of Ammonium Nitrate-Based Fertilizers

Ammonium nitrate (AN) is a strong oxidizer that undergoes phase transitions and thermal decomposition at relatively low temperatures. This—as verified by historical facts—constitutes challenge for the fire department during rescue operations. AN also highly reactive material widely used production of, i.a., fertilizers explosives. The latter are popular not only in military applications but industrial ones, such as mining. They include ammonites amatols utilized coal mining, well Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) in, rock As simple cheap material, ANFO tends to be terrorists. spontaneous formation of an polymers mixture—similar terms composition explosion force—was observed conditions previous research. At individual stages (from creation exploitation), often comes into direct contact with various polymers. Polyolefins, particular polyethylene (PE) polypropylene (PP), among most groups materials. foil packaging flexible intermediate bulk containers storage transport fertilizers. Despite frequent mutual these materials, there little information literature on interaction its polymer-made conditions. For this reason, it was decided conduct series analyses using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) study behavior under influence high temperature. turns out practice, mixture similar ANFO—in force—can Due results indicating potentially explosive course reaction, laboratory tests macro scale were carried out. performed observations show may necessary create procedure containing several different test methods order predict mixture’s define appropriate guidelines firefighting teams. Such would enable firefighters prepare right equipment operation develop strategy based events.