Cannabis Fire and Explosion Investigations Highlight Industry's Safety Challenges

Andrew Paris

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Jan 4, 2024

Legalizing cannabis in various regions has guided a new era of economic opportunities and novel challenges. One pressing concern that has emerged prominently is the risk of fires and explosions within the cannabis industry. 使这一问题恶化的是该彩宝网的相对年轻, which is underscored by the absence of standardized safety protocols and regulations.

在合法的大麻生产设施, codes and standards cover the construction of buildings and provide the safety of persons and property. Construction and installations must adhere to permitting and contractor licensing regulations. Typically, these installations necessitate inspection and approval from the relevant authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), 其中可能包括当地的建筑, plumbing, 消防或电气检验员. Commercial facilities engaging in legal cannabis production and processing are now subject to the standard codes and regulations established by their respective jurisdictions.

越来越多的事件背后有很多原因, 例如生产大麻油(一种浓缩大麻产品), 电路过载的电气问题, HID照明的失败和缺乏彩宝网标准, among many others. 大麻设施经常处理挥发性物质, 例如用于提取哈希油的气体和液体. The absence of industry-specific safety guidelines means that many operators may not be fully aware of the risks associated with these processes or how to mitigate them effectively.

At Jensen Hughes, we have investigated dozens of fires and explosions in various legal and illegal cannabis production and processing operations over the years. 其中包括种植从一棵到数千棵不等的植物. Although we have seen an increase in safety now that operations in some areas have been legalized, 彩宝网平台仍然看到许多与非法种植操作相同的问题.

不安全产品的使用、缺陷和操作方法

It's worth noting that many of the fires and explosions we encountered over time could have been averted if appropriate safety standards had been diligently followed. Nevertheless, it's essential to recognize that strict compliance with safety standards doesn't completely eliminate the risk of fires and explosions. 这些风险仍然可能来自不安全的消费品使用, installation deficiencies, product defects, 或不充分的内务管理和操作实践, such as:

  1. Improper Splicing. Some operators use inadequate methods like twisting and taping splices instead of approved splice connectors, 比如端子座或线螺母.
  2. Mixing Dissimilar Metals. 连接铝和铜等不同的金属可能会有问题. 由于不同的热膨胀系数, 这些连接在受热时可能会松动并最终失效.
  3. Contamination Risk. 大麻种植设施通常有潮湿的环境, 使它们容易受到水的污染, liquids, dirt, grease and more.
  4. Poor Plug-In Connections. Loose or poorly connected equipment and extension cord connections can pose a significant hazard. Receptacles may lose their grip force over time, resulting in loose connections.

电气安装不当

The quality of electrical installations in legal cannabis grow operations has improved, 但电线不当的问题仍然存在. 这些问题构成严重危害,包括:

  1. 非法绕过电表. Some operators splice conductors into the service entrance to bypass electric meters, 旨在避免多个高输出生长灯的高额电费. This illegal practice not only poses a risk of lethal shock but also increases the potential for fires due to poor connections.
  2. 直接将电路连接到主服务耳. To save costs, operators sometimes connect feeder and branch circuits directly to the primary service lugs in electrical panels instead of using additional circuit breakers or panels for new equipment. This shortcut poses safety hazards for installers and increases the fire risk due to poor connections.
  3. 不当和未保护的拼接. Frequently, 操作人员采用扭转和胶带连接,而不是使用线螺母, 在额定接线盒外拼接导体, 或者过多导体的过载接头. 这些做法使操作人员面临触电和火灾危险.
  4. 不当升级断路器或保险丝. Some operators replace tripped circuit breakers or fuses with higher-rated ones to prevent tripping rather than address the root cause of overcurrent. This dangerous practice can be mitigated by redistributing loads or upgrading circuits.
  5. 误用电气设备. Using non-UL-listed electrical system equipment or incorrectly using UL-listed equipment is a common mistake. Local and state electrical codes often require UL-listed or similarly rated equipment to ensure safety.

Addressing these electrical wiring issues is crucial to enhance safety and reduce the risk of electrical fires and accidents in legal cannabis cultivation facilities.

暴露于多个点火源

Traditionally, 大麻种植作业使用了大功率, 高强度放电(HID)照明. 这有几个危险, 包括可燃物接触极热的灯玻璃, mechanical damage causing glass breakage and potential plant or material ignition, 以及由于油或油脂污染而导致的灯故障.

Other lighting options like full-spectrum fluorescent and LED fixtures also carry their own dangers, 如安装缺陷, 不正确的电气连接, voltage supply issues, 以及不合格的镇流器或电源. Fluorescent lights, in particular, 如果在安装过程中灯没有对准,是否会造成火灾危险.

THC-containing hash oil can be extracted from cannabis using butane as a solvent, often on a small scale. 丁烷蒸发是这一过程中最危险的阶段, 因为丁烷烟雾是高度易燃易爆的. Butane, being heavier than air, can accumulate at floor level and pose a severe risk. Improper extraction methods or unsuitable environments can lead to fires or explosions, 普通家用电器不经意间充当着点火源的作用.

注意潜在的危险

Many issues and fire causes have been faced in different cannabis production and processing facilities where our team of experts have investigated the origin and cause of a fire. It's essential to be aware of these potential hazards to ensure the safety of individuals and property in the cannabis industry. 通过精心的设计可以保持安全, 正确安装并遵守制造商的说明, local electrical codes, and building regulations. Such measures are crucial for safeguarding employees, property and overall operations.

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About the author

Andrew J. Paris
Drew Paris is the Director of Jensen Hughes’ Forensic Electrical Engineering practice. 他擅长调查和咨询电气火灾和故障, 电气系统设计与安全.