Beirut explosion

[Arlo]

Yesterday's huge explosion at the port of Beirut was devastating. There seems to be a growing debate as to whether this was an accident or attack. 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate. No matter the cause, I personally feel that the priority should be assistance before looking for culprits (if there are any). Referring to such as a 'bombing' and not an explosion is hasty, to me.

Anyone else?

[LCADolby]

What are the health and safety standards like in Lebanon?

[Arlo]

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/c152/0ea88aa8ae328569b530e140e7cbaea7307d.pdf

[Busher]

Not exactly the material that ought to be stored near populated areas.
Remember in 1994 when Tim McVeigh constructed a bomb containing more than 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) of ammonium nitrate fertilizer mixed with about 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of liquid nitromethane and 350 pounds (160 kg) of Tovex?

[Arlo]

Not exactly the material that ought to be stored near populated areas.
Remember in 1994 when Tim McVeigh constructed a bomb containing more than 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) of ammonium nitrate fertilizer mixed with about 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of liquid nitromethane and 350 pounds (160 kg) of Tovex?

Even if stored near population, it should probably be kept in separated smaller quantities contained in vaults. I remember the tragedy in West, Texas. There were regulatory changes made (which may or may not still be in effect).

[Hajo]

Ammonium Nitrate is a by product of Blast Furnace Coke making also.  We used to be able to bring a shopping bag full of it home for free.  It's a great fertilizer used in small amounts. 

Some folks would bring it home and use it heavily to fertilize and two days later the complete lawn would burn out.  Potent stuff.

[Arlo]

A comparison:

[Shuffler]

Fertilizer...... same stuff that blew up in Texas City in 1947. The Grandcamp was loaded with 2300 tons of ammonium nitrate. A fire on board soon set that off. Difference in Texas was all the oil refineries.

[Vulcan]

The video of the church service is what really surprised me, its like a small earthquake before the shockwave hits.

[saggs]

Fertilizer...... same stuff that blew up in Texas City in 1947. The Grandcamp was loaded with 2300 tons of ammonium nitrate. A fire on board soon set that off. Difference in Texas was all the oil refineries.

Same thing happened in West, Texas in 2013.  Killed 15 firefighters.

[Shuffler]

Same thing happened in West, Texas in 2013.  Killed 15 firefighters.

Yes much smaller amount.

[guncrasher]

Fertilizer...... same stuff that blew up in Texas City in 1947. The Grandcamp was loaded with 2300 tons of ammonium nitrate. A fire on board soon set that off. Difference in Texas was all the oil refineries.

that one killed all the firefighters in the city, I think.


semp

[Shuffler]

that one killed all the firefighters in the city, I think.


semp

Not all. I had a very good friend, since passed, that was on the TCVFD back then. He told me stories of using anything they could find to shield themselves from heat to get to survivors. Some real horror stories. Like a war zone.

I lived in Texas City for awhile too.

[guncrasher]

Not all. I had a very good friend, since passed, that was on the TCVFD back then. He told me stories of using anything they could find to shield themselves from heat to get to survivors. Some real horror stories. Like a war zone.

I lived in Texas City for awhile too.

brave man 

semp

[Eagler]

Or it was a bomb factory that popped

I am suspect about any offical story about anything from that part of the world

Eagler