What Positive Lessons can be Learned from an HDPE Fire?
A fire in a storm drain turned out to be both frightening and costly to Herriman City. The leaders of this rapidly growing Utah community were on a tour of the City’s culinary water system. They consequently learned more about fire and the storm drainage system than they wanted to know. During the tour, thick black smoke was spotted and they learned that a 42" HDPE storm drain had caught on fire. What lessons should be learned from this experience? Fire is an issue with HDPE pipe, even if the pipe meets AASHTO specifications. The HDPE industry is aware of the fire potential, but has apparently chosen to downplay the risk.
