MMA tank evacuation in California. Technical explanation. An answer to 10 different assumptions in different threads.

[Melon]

3. The water be sprayed on the tank is to dissipate heat.

The tank is most likely going to burst. The volume of material is increasing and becoming very hot.

Early in this. Prior to the relieve valve being plugged. A remedy could have been to puncture the tank. Ie. drive a pipe through the wall of the tank or have more of a controlled spill. It’s too dangerous now.

The tank is in a cement tub. It’s designed for contaminant of spills and likely drains to a holding area or tank. It won’t hold the full tank or contain an explosion.

MMA is toxic. It doesn’t cause cancer. But you don’t want to be exposed to it or breathe it. It can cause things like nerve damage. If you’re close….leave. It’s really not worth it and the firefighters can’t stop what’s going to happen. If they cool the tank enough, maybe a small leak will occur like the relief valve on a pressure cooker. But it can just explode.