What happened at Dusseldorf Airport in 1996?

On 11 April 1996 a fire broke out in an occupied passenger terminal at Dusseldorf Airport. It would tragically claim the lives of 17 people and injure 62 others.

How did the Dusseldorf Airport fire start?

German authorities determined that the fire began when a welder working on expansion plates in a roadway above the lower level of the terminal building ignited the polystyrene insulation used in the avoid above the ceiling on the first level.

The fire grew across the ceiling concealed and undetected in the void, resulting in several sections of the ceiling burning out and falling to the ground. Within 30 seconds the hall was filled with toxic fumes.

By the time the dense smoke layer fell below the ceiling where it was detected by automatic smoke detectors the fire was already well-established.

Smoke spread to the elevators and VIP lounge where a number of victims would tragically lose their lives.

What can the industry learn from the Dusseldorf Airport fire?

A National Fire protection Association (NFPA) investigation confirm the following factors contributed to the fire and loss of life;

• The area where the fire occurred was not equipped with any automatic sprinkler systems
• The building was equipped with automatic smoke detection throughout the facility apart from the ceiling voids
• A failure of workmen to take adequate precautions during welding operations
• The presence of combustible insulation in the ceiling void above the lower level of the terminal
• Unprotected vertical openings that allowed the fire and smoke to spread to the upper levels
• Inadequate means of egress from the VIP lounge on the mezzanine level
• Two occupied elevators that opened directly into the fire area

Other failings included a lack of communication during the fire fighting operation, a lack of communications and insufficient command staff to manage the incident.