ARMY REPORT:  FIRE FACILITIES ARE WORKING

By AMY RIGGIN/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday,  June 3, 2005  10:19 AM CDT

The Army released the initial report Thursday from a task force investigating recent fires during incineration at the Pine Bluff Arsenal.

A preliminary study found that the structural integrity of the explosive containment rooms has not been compromised by the fires.

The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency recently formed the rocket task force to perform an in-depth investigation into five fires that occurred in April and May at the chemical agent disposal facilities here and in Oregon. Two occurred at the Arsenal, one on May 11 and one on May 22.

"We are committed to the safety of our work force, our communities surrounding the weapons facilities and the environment," CMA Director Michael Parker said. "The rocket task force focused first on ensuring that the ECR design remains safe for our workers and the public after the recent fires."

The findings came from a preliminary report from the Corps of Engineers after a review of the structure of the rooms.

The task force also found that the performance and integrity of the duct system, blast valves, isolation valves and filters was intact. As to whether the increased frequency of the fires create a greater risk to the public, the task force found that they had an insignificant impact because "the design, construction and protection of the ECRs makes the risk of a room, building or heating, venting and air conditioning fire very low."

Preliminary assessments have indicated that the M55 rockets remain stable in storage and through routine handling operations that bring them to the disposal process. At this point, all fires have been associated only with rockets involved in the actual shearing/disposal process.