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Russian Akula Accident

  • 09-11-2008 6:15pm
    #1
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 10,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    An Akula had an accidental gas discharge during sea trials. Reports state 20 deaths. The gas was Freon which is used in the firefighting systems to extinguish oxygen is odurless and colourless.

    http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jfn6BiK-75B0F4qtfZgNe12N18jw


Comments

  • #2
    Chuck U Farley
    Closed Accounts Posts: 30 ✭Chuck U Farley


    A tragic and devastating accident for all involved.


  • #3
    Leadership
    Closed Accounts Posts: 457 ✭✭Leadership


    Wow, I remember setting off the extinguishers on a Combat Engineer Tractor years ago while servicing the tank. I was in the engine deck at the time and kicked the cables which set them off. I nearly poo'ed my pants when the gas discharged and was oblivious to the danger of the system. Tanks use the same Freon gas so I guess I was lucky I could stick my head out and get a mouth full of air.

    Submariners deserve every cent of their pay as the dangers of the deep are multiple.


  • #4
    Chuck U Farley
    Closed Accounts Posts: 30 ✭Chuck U Farley


    That was quick.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7726235.stm


  • #5
    Tenger
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 10,005 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tenger


    Chuck U Farley wrote: »
    That was quick.
    As the articale states.....................suspiciously so!


  • #6
    Zuiderzee
    Closed Accounts Posts: 593 ✭✭✭Zuiderzee


    In fixed fire fighting systems Freon does allow some time for escape. CO2 does not.

    I think the reason is CO2 being heavy works by displacing the oxygen in an enclosed space (i.e ships engine room) whereas freon retards the flames by interfering chemicaly with the combustion.

    Merchant ships that had the fixed Freon system had to be retro-fitted with CO2 due to environmental concerns a few years back - which I think sucks.


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  • #7
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    I used to work for the Irish Lighthouse service in the 80ies, Halon was used for the automatic fire extinguishers in the engine room on the Lightships and Lanby buoys at the time. Once a system discharged itself accidentally while I was in there it was a frightening experience luckily i was able to escape up a ladder and get away in time.

    The service brought in new rules that all hatches had to be opened with no obstructions on the ladders. I could see how this tragedy happened in Russia and on a submarine there is no chances of escape or opening hatches.


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