In July of last year one of our client's experienced an unusual explosion involving a toilet tank. This particular toilet was not equipped with conventional hardware used in the flushing and filling of the tank. Instead, a tank designed to be pressurized was installed in what otherwise would have been the water tank. City water pressure was used to pressurize the interior tank. When flushed, the pressure behind the water is supposed to move waste more effectively.
On the date of the explosion, the internal tank ruptured allowing the pressurized water to escape with a significant amount of force. So much so that the external tank failed to contain the explosive force of the water. As a result, the porcelain external tank exploded in a multitude of sharp pieces. The remains of both tanks are shown in photographs one and two. The actual appearance of the internal tank is shown in photographs three and four.
Photo 1 Remaining pieces of toilet tank after explosion
photo 2 Failure of internal tank
Photograph 3 View of tank within tank
Photograph 4 Internal tank showing flush valve and water line connection
While investigating this particular case, it was learned that the manufacturer, Sloan Flushmate, had become aware that some of its tanks, manufactured in the late 1990's, could leak. The product advisory that was issued stated that the tank could develop a leak at the weld seam or separate at the joint between the upper and lower halves. A copy of the advisory is shown in photos five and six. Because of the on-going nature of the case, the manufacturer has declined to answer questions regarding the material used in the manufacture of the tank and its strength properties. However, the tank that replaces the Fushmate II and III units, the Flushmate IV, is equipped with components similar to those of the replaced unts. Based on published material, the Flushmate IV is suppposed to be suitable to withstand line presures in the range from 25 to 125 psi. In addition, the tank comes equipped with a pressure relief valve, preset at 60 psi. The implication is that the tank pressure cannot exceed the relief valve setting without causing the valve to discharge. The tank is also equipped with a pressure regulator and a back pressure check valve, preset to 35 psi. However, the setting of the regulator is unknown. Moreover, the difference between the failed tanks and the replacement tanks remains unknown. Regardless of what changes have been made to the product, a great deal of danger exists for personal injury and property damage with the defective tanks.
Photograph 5 Copy of advisory issued by manufacturer
