scope:

Description of Driving Event:

Operations personnel, in an engine test facility, reported that JP-4 fuel was found leaking in the basement of the building. Emergency staff responding to the call discovered that the fuel had originated from the engine on the main floor and had leaked onto a power panel in the basement. The spill was located on and around a 480VAC motor control center that contained breakers and contactors to power the pumps, blowers, and fans in the building.

The building was evacuated due to a potential explosion hazard. The power was turned off and power to the control center terminated. Absorbent pads were placed around the fuel spill for containment and the area barricaded to prevent access.

It was determined that the fuel spill originated from an open fuel return low point drain valve, recently added to the facility, that was not put on the facility drawings. Operations personnel performing a walk-through inspection of the facility did not observe the added drain and therefore were not aware of the presence and open valve position of the drain.