Late in the afternoon of Tuesday June 17 TSFRS Engine 85 along with our mutual aid partners from Wyomissing (Ladder 79) and Shillington (Engine 36) were dispatched for a hazardous materials assignment to an industrial complex in the 700 block of Old Fritztown Road in Spring Township. Additional information provided upon response indicated that the emergency was for a nitrogen tank leaking on the exterior of the building. The caller indicated that the owner of the tank was notified and was sending a technician.

Chief 85 and E85 arrived and observed a one-story manufacturing facility which was not evacuated. The size up confirmed an active liquid nitrogen leak, visibly free flowing from an exterior fixed vertical storage tank at the rear corner of the occupancy. Chief 85 established Old Fritztown Road Command with E85 positioning inside the compound, upwind of the leak. E36 staged at a hydrant outside the compound on Frederick St along with L79.

In accordance with the DOT Emergency Response Guide and NIOSH Guide recommendations for refrigerated nitrogen, an area around the cylinder was isolated. Crews contacted plant staff and confirmed the area immediately inside the building from the leak was empty and the machines were shutdown. Command requested E85 crew access the interior of the building adjacent to the leak and complete atmospheric monitoring. Captain 85 reported normal readings and confirmed the area was vacant.

Command further requested that the Communications Watch Officer notify the on duty DES Hazmat officer of the incident, that the leak was outside and that no additional resources were required at the current time. Crews continued to monitor the area of the leak and vapor cloud which was dissipating naturally within the hot zone. Command then released E36 and L79. No changes occurred to the leak or vapor cloud during this time.

An additional call was dispatched for Wyomissing Borough, and Command released E85 to handle. RE85 then reported to the scene with additional personnel. Command met with the tank technician from Praxair on Facetime who wanted to see the leak and piping. On advice from the technician observing via Facetime. TSFR members then donned full PPE and performed the required valving to control the leak. No further service was required, and the incident was terminated.