Putting a Damper on Static Electricity Fires Vortec spray nozzles eliminate static electricity fire hazard in facility manufacturing polyethylene foam. The Sealed Air Corporation has over 100 facilities worldwide, manufacturing protective packaging products including Bubble Wrap® Brand Packaging; Fill-Air® Inflatable Packaging; Jiffy Mailers® and various paper products. At one Sealed Air plant, polyethylene foam products are produced in rolls, sheets and planks in a broad spectrum of sizes. At the plant, the raw materials for the foam are mixed, and then extruded through a die into various shapes. The plant routinely produces over 30,000 pounds of foam a week. Maintenance Supervisor Robert Gosselin is responsible for the care and upkeep of this facility which employs from 50 - 100 people. Until recently, he faced a challenge: the production of polyethylene foam involves hydrocarbon gases such as butane and propane and the foam itself generates static electricity. The presence of flammable gases and static electricity created a severe fire hazard. “Fortunately, we never had a major incident,” Mr. Gosselin states, “but we did have fire hazard incidents where we had to cease all production and then later re-start.” To keep the working environment safe, Mr. Gosselin sought to keep humidity in the production room over 60%. To achieve that goal, he tried a variety of solutions. “We experimented with different brands of humidifying misters but there was always a problem. Either they plugged up too easily or the drops were too big and we ended up with puddles on the floor which resulted in a slipping hazard for employees. What we needed were nozzles that offered three qualities: a fine enough mist; repeatability, meaning they would keep functioning for a long time without maintenance; and also overall longevity. My initial experience with other companies’ nozzles made me wonder if such a thing existed.” Gosselin first learned of Vortec’s Sprayvector® nozzles through the website of an industrial supply house. He ordered 3 different Vortec nozzles initially and found one “fulfilled all the requirements for what we were seeking.” He ordered several more of this model, replacing all the existing nozzles in the plant with the Vortec Sprayvector® nozzle. Vortec, an ITW Company 10125 Carver Road Cincinnati, OH 45242

Putting a Damper on Static Electricity Fires Mr. Gosselin’s choice of nozzle is the model 1703 Fogging Sprayvector, a compressed air-powered liquid spray nozzle which delivers a fogging style of humidity. “Thanks to the Vortec nozzles,” says Mr. Gosselin “We have reduced the rate of fires in the facility by 75%. This is important not only for worker safety but in terms of cost and production as well. Before, when we had to shut down in order to take care of fire hazards, all production ceased, costing us thousands of dollars for each incident.” Gosselin credits the Vortec nozzles with providing...