Edhat Staff
Santa Barbara County Firefighters initiated an hazardous materials (HazMat) response to Figueroa Mountain Brewery in Buellton on Sunday.
At 11:07 a.m., crews responded to 45 Industrial Way for a reported leak of a large, exterior C02 tank.
Five employees were evacuated from the area without medical complaints and adjacent businesses were sheltered-in-place.
Industrial Way was closed at Highway 246 while hazmat teams were on the scene.
Crews working in Level A encapsulated suits assessed the 10,000 gallon C02 tank. They shut the valve to isolate the tank and reviewed interior and exterior air monitoring sensors.
“All air monitoring sensors [displayed] normal atmospheric readings,” said Captain Scott Safechuck.
A representative from Figueroa Mountain stated the issue came down to a broken C02 valve.
“Looked more exciting than it was. No one was injured or in danger but better to be safe than sorry. Back in action the same day. Thank you response team!” the brewery stated on Instagram.
The shelter-in-place and road closures were lifted approximately an hour later.
Haz. Mat. Response Update: Crews working in Level A encapsulated suits. 10,000 gal. CO2 tank involved. Haz. Mat. Team has shut valve to isolate tank. Air monitoring sensors display normal exterior readings. Crews are working to obtain interior air monitoring. More to come. pic.twitter.com/U89tuwHkXn
— Scott Safechuck (@SBCFireInfo) June 9, 2024
The brewery responded that it was a broken valve. Good for the Fire Dept to choose safety first and great hazmat practice for them as well.
No reason for Level A entry here….
You armchair experts are just soooo helpful.
Haha
Is CO2 hazardous?
The clown in me just wanted to say “not if you’re a plant”…
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/toxins/co2.html
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2020-08/Carbon-Dioxide.pdf
…things go downhill fast when going above “40,000 ppm (4.0%) Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH)”…
so, short answer yeah
It is dangerous all right, just ask Yahoo Serious.
Beer is boring without it.