美国化学安全与危害调查委员会发布的调查报告认定，2024年9月29日发生在乔治亚州康耶斯市BioLab化工厂的火灾由过量储存的池塘化学品和失效的消防喷淋系统共同引发 [1]。该工厂距亚特兰大市中心约25英里 [1]。
工厂储存的反应性化学品数量远超计划规模，共计约1400万磅（630万公斤），装载在5000多个超过一吨重的巨大麻袋中 [1]。这些化学品在缺乏适当防护措施的条件下堆放 [1]。消防系统同样存在严重缺陷——1100多个喷淋头在2023年12月的检查中被发现已严重腐蚀，且自2019年以来就因腐蚀而持续泄漏 [1]。
火灾产生巨大的橙黑色烟柱，迫使附近居民就地避难 [1]。美国劳动部门随后对该公司处以超过60000美元罚款，并发出6项违规引用 [1]。
BioLab主席Steve Owens表示："Bio-Lab康耶斯仓库的条件和情况完全不可接受" [1]。公司于2024年决定不重建该工厂 [1]。
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has determined that a fire at Georgia-based BioLab's chemical facility resulted from excessive stockpiling of reactive pool chemicals combined with severely deteriorated fire suppression equipment. [1]
The September 29, 2024 fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Georgia—located approximately 25 miles from downtown Atlanta—involved more than 14 million pounds of reactive chemicals stored without adequate protective measures. [1] The facility held more than twice the planned volume of chemicals, packaged in roughly 5,000 massive bags each weighing over one ton. [1]
The plant's fire suppression system had been compromised for years. An inspection conducted in December 2023 revealed that over 1,100 sprinkler heads had corroded significantly, with serious leaks reported since 2019. [1] The massive fire produced an enormous orange-and-black smoke plume that forced residents to shelter in place. [1]
Following the incident, the U.S. Department of Labor issued the company fines exceeding $60,000 and cited six violations. [1] BioLab's chairperson Steve Owens acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating: "The conditions and circumstances at Bio-Lab Conyers warehouse are completely unacceptable." [1] The company decided in 2024 not to rebuild the facility. [1]