Dropped Object as a result of a Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) Joint Failure

Toward the completion of a firewater pump (FWP) performance test, a section of 12” Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) weighing ~260kg, fell 4 metres after its bonded taper fit connections failed.

One person was in the room at the time of the incident looking at the engine gauges - he shut down the FWP engine after the failure occurred and left the room with no physical harm.

The individual could have been in the line of fire of the dropped spool had they been standing in their normal location whilst carrying out the test.

Findings:

The GRE taper joint failure was most likely caused by inadequate surface preparation of the joints female taper surface, during bonding of the joint while the asset was being constructed in1995.

The joint surface should have been roughened before the epoxy bonding took place to ensure adequate joint strength but this did not occur on one of the joints.