Document ypDYKEOr8BdywoXjVzNZN4jR3

October 28, 1930 Mr. A. E. Mittnaeht, Ethyl Gasoline Corp., 135 E. 42nd St., New York, N* Y. Dear Mr. Mittnaeht* Thanks very much for your letter of October 24 with the report from Mr. Graham. I am returning the pictures to you but am keeping the copy of the report. I have on my desk a rather full report of the whole matter, made by my Dr. Schradln whom I dispatched to Enid almost immediately upon receiving the report of the fire. I feared somewhat the appearance of delayed symptoms in men who were ex posed, thinking that any inhalation of fumes would be more like ly to produce Injury twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the exposure rather than immediately, schradln examined the whole field rather carefully and made a detailed report of the occur rence of the fire and of its consequences to the equipment and to the surrounding objects. At the same time he talked with the men and gave each man who had been exposed a physical exam ination. The report as submitted by Mr. Graham corresponds al most exactly with the report which I have from Dr. Schradln, and I have been very pleasantly surprised to see that the danger from fire is apparently very much less than I would have anticipated. Incidentally, Dr. Schradln brought back to me a copy of the pic tures which you have sent me. I asked him to do this if he could, for the reason that I wanted as full information as possible on everything that might be expected to occur, and on everything that had actually happened* I have let the entire matter ride, assuming that I would in all probability receive a report from you. I think there are several lessons to be learned from this fire, and I believe that Mr. Graham's suggestions are excel lent ones. I had considered recommending two of the things which he has suggested. It Is obvious that any gasoline line with a vapor lock which interferes with the pumping, may be a rather serious matter, and I believe that this should be avoided. I can not but feel however, that the most important thing to be learned from this fire is that an electrically driven pump in the vicini ty of gasoline vapors is a danger which should not be permitted to occur. Considering the precautions which are taken in this 8290000 3X matter at some refineries (apparently the result of experience), it seems to me that it is foolhardy to tempt providence with electrical equipment of this kind* According to Dr, Schradin the switch on this motor was not an oil switch. In that respect he did not agree entirely with Mr, Graham, as to which may be right I should not venture to say, but if there was an oil switch It only makes more clear that even such precautions as these are not adequate in dealing with electrically driven pumps. It would seem to me that the chance for some spark is always present when a motor Is being used, and I should say that such a motor should not be used, . As to the sprinkling system, I do not regard myself as sufficiently expert to decide the point, but I should be ex ceedingly skeptical as to whether any sprinkling system of the customary type would have any appreciable effect upon either a gasoline or Ethyl Fluid fire* Such a system would have to re lease a veritable flood, I should think, In order to be effective at all. In fact, if I am not mistaken, the foamite system has been devised largely because water does not serve as a suitable extinguishing medium. Undoubtedly we should have much mere ex pert opinion on this than I can give you, but my present reaction does not favor requiring the Introduction of sued a sprinkler system unless we can be shown that such a system is likely to be effective. ' Very truly yours, RAK:EJ WE 0000629 INTER-OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE Et hyl Gaso l ine Co r po r at io n Chr ysl er Buil ding 135 East 42nd St r eet NEWYo r k 24October , 1930. Dr. Robert A. Kehoe Dear Dr. Kehoe: Attached hereto is copy of a report from field representative Bob Graham on the fire at the Champlin Refining Company's plant at Enid. The original photo graphs are also attached. I would thank you to please return the latter after they have served your purpose as they are the only copies we have and I wish to send them around to some of our other people. It would seem to me that we do not have a great deal to fear from fire because it apparently takes considerable heat to cause the drums to explode and once this has happened, the ETHYL Fluid apparently burns rather completely. what do yon think of Bob Graham's suggestion for installation of a sprinkler system at mixing points? This would probably be c'uits an expense in some instances, but could doubtless be done if you think it necessary. I think, in any case, we should write our division managers recommending that wherever possible a sprinkler be put In, at least on new installations. Before taking any action, however, I would appreciate your comments and suggestions on this whole situ ation. P.S. That do you think of his <cther suggestion of not per mitting electrical pumps to be used but only those that are powered by steam? He 0000630