Kuala lumpur: The Melaka Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) brought a leak of anhydrous ammonia gas under control at a factory in Masjid Tanah Industrial Park, here today. Head of Zone 2 and specialist in Hazardous Chemicals (HAZMAT) and CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) of Melaka JBPM, Fire Superintendent Zulkhairani Ramli said his department received an emergency call at 1.47 am before a team of personnel was deployed to the location.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initial assessment established a 50-metre safety perimeter to conduct a risk assessment and the establishment of a hazard control zone, before gas concentration measurements were carried out. The initial concentration of ammonia gas was recorded at 300 ppm inside the building and 75 ppm outside the building. The team then sealed the tank valve before using vapour dispersion technic with water fog.

Zulkhairani reported that continuous monitoring found that the gas readings showed a decrease to 74 ppm inside the building and 35 ppm outside the building, before further decreasing to 50 ppm and 25 ppm respectively. The operation was called off at 8.17 am after ensuring the situation was under control.

The incident involved a leak in two ammonia tank units with a capacity of 2,600 litres each, accumulating to approximately 5,200 litres of the substance at the premises. The operation involved a force of 12 personnel, including seven members of the Hazmat and CBRNe team from Alor Gajah and five members from the Masjid Tanah station, with assistance from the police.