Heat trace caught on fire

[carovie]

Hello,
I am in the process of conducting an investigation on a heat trace that was found on fire.
The jacket around the wires could have been damaged from the installation of a regulator that was replaced prior, but I can not 100% confirm the damage since it burned in the process. The insulation had been removed for the installation of the regulator and never replaced. So the heat trace that caught on fire was exposed to the elements.
(The plant has a winterization program and PM inspection on heat trace).
1. Can I get some ideas on why the heat trace caught on fire?
2. What recommendations would be proper to prevent this from happening again?
Thank you!
Caro

 

[Megawatt]

Hello,
I am in the process of conducting an investigation on a heat trace that was found on fire.
The jacket around the wires could have been damaged from the installation of a regulator that was replaced prior, but I can not 100% confirm the damage since it burned in the process. The insulation had been removed for the installation of the regulator and never replaced. So the heat trace that caught on fire was exposed to the elements.
(The plant has a winterization program and PM inspection on heat trace).
1. Can I get some ideas on why the heat trace caught on fire?
2. What recommendations would be proper to prevent this from happening again?
Thank you!
Caro

It had to be damaged prior to installing the insulation. What I always did when we installed the power was to fully inspect it where the valves and transmitters were installed to isolate any potential problems.