For Op Fresco Only.

Compressed Gas Cylinders & BLEVE

EO 62.16 - 62.30
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Objectives
State the common uses for compressed gases. State the hazards associated with leaking cylinders. Describe the general colour coding of cylinders State the hazards associated with gas cylinders and pressurised containers when subjected to heat.
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Objectives
Explain the actions to take when gas cylinders / pressurised containers are in direct contact with flame. State how Acetylene cylinders can be recognised. Describe the actions to take at incidents involving Acetylene cylinders. Describe how a BLEVE can occur.
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Objectives
State the action to take with a ruptured LPG pipe or appliance and the action to take if involved in fire. State why LPG cylinders must be kept upright. Name the 2 types of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) used in domestic appliances. Describe the common causes of fire or explosion involving LPG cylinders. Explain the action to take when an LPG cylinder is in direct contact with a flame.
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Common Uses for Compressed Gases

MEDICAL
Oxygen Oxygen/Carbon Dioxide Mixture

Entonox (Nitrous Oxide)

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Common Uses for Compressed Gases

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
Chlorine

Carbon Monoxide

Ethylene
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Common Uses for Compressed Gases

COOKING/HEATING
Butane

Propane
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Common Uses for Compressed Gases

WELDING/CUTTING
Oxygen

Acetylene

Propane
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Common Uses for Compressed Gases

INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES
Oxygen

Hydrogen

Nitrogen
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Common Uses for Compressed Gases

REFRIGERATION PROCESSES
Ammonia

Carbon Dioxide

Freon
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Hazards Associated With Leaking Gas Cylinders

Fire or explosion. Asphyxiation. Poisoning. Irritation. Narcotic.

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Identification of Gas Cylinders

Cylinders of different gases are identified through a colour coding system. Gases of a combustible and/or poisonous nature have additional colouring on the shoulder of the cylinder: RED FLAMMABLE

YELLOW

TOXIC
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RED & YELLOW FLAMMABLE & TOXIC

Hazards With Pressurised Containers When Heated

Cylinders Containing Non-Flammable Compressed Gases Increase in pressure beyond the capability of the cylinder could result in a violent rupture leading to the possibility of fragmentation.

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Hazards With Pressurised Containers When Heated

Cylinders Containing Flammable Compressed Gases Increase in pressure beyond the capability of the cylinder could result in a violent rupture leading to the possibility of fragmentation and fire or explosion.

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Actions to be Taken When a Cylinder is in Direct Contact With a Flame

Cylinders should be cooled with a water spray. All actions should be taken from behind cover. Cylinders should not be approached until the danger of rupture, fragmentation, fire or explosion has been removed. When considered safe to do so by the OIC, the cylinder valves, if open, should be closed.
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Actions to be Taken When a Cylinder is in Direct Contact With a Flame

If cylinder valves are damaged and cannot be closed, they should be removed if safe to do so to a safe area and allowed to vent off. Cylinders are considered to be safe to move when they remain wet, are cool to the touch and applied water does not produce steam. Consideration should be given to the use of the Thermal Image Camera (TIC).
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Any Questions ?

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Incidents Involving Acetylene

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Incidents Involving Acetylene

DESCRIPTION Cylinder colour - Maroon. Gas is colourless with an ether/garlic smell. Hazards - Flammable & highly explosive. Uses - Welding / cutting.

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Incidents Involving Acetylene

Cylinders believed to have been heated by fire should be treated as being liable to burst or explode at any moment. Decomposition of contents occurs which makes it extremely unstable. Cool cylinders with water spray. Carry out all actions from behind cover.
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Incidents Involving Acetylene

Branches should be tied off and ground monitors brought into operation. Fire-fighters should be withdrawn to a safe area at the earliest opportunity. - Hazard Zone extending for 150 metres should be established. No attempt should be made to close the cylinder valve.
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Incidents Involving Acetylene

Examination of the cylinder should not be attempted for at least 1 hour. When eventually the cylinder remains wet and cool to the touch it should be CAREFULLY removed and immersed in water for a minimum of 12 hours. Careless handling of the cylinder may accelerate decomposition of the contents.
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Incidents Involving Acetylene

An acetylene cylinder which has been exposed to heating should be treated as an explosive missile at all times. Acetylene cylinders should always remain in the upright position.

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Any Questions ?

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BLEVE

B L E V E

oiling
iquid xpanding apour xplosion
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BLEVE
A liquid in a closed container always has an area of gas / vapour above its surface.
GAS

LIQUID

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BLEVE
If subjected to heating, the pressure of the gas/vapour above the liquid is INCREASED.
GAS

LIQUID

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BLEVE
This increase in pressure also INCREASES the boiling point of the liquid to above its normal temperature.
GAS

LIQUID

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BLEVE
If the pressure of the gas/vapour reaches a point where it ruptures the container, the sudden drop in pressure allows the remainder of the liquid to boil rapidly producing vast quantities of gas/vapour

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BLEVE

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 If the gas/vapour is flammable, and an ignition source is present, combustion of the gas/vapour will take place with explosive force resulting in a :

BLEVE
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Any Questions ?

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LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas)

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Types of LPG Used in Appliances

BUTANE Domestic - Portable heaters, cookers etc. PROPANE Industrial - Heaters, cookers, cutting gear, hot metal work etc.
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Common Causes of Fire or Explosion Involving LPG Cylinders

Mishandling of the apparatus. Vibration (moving vehicles). Perished flexible connections (most rubbers are slowly attacked by these gases). Inadvertent extinction of burners by draughts or lack of ventilation. Leaving burners unlit but turned on. Blow-back (propane)
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Leaking Cylinder or Appliance

Cylinder Not Involved in Fire Turn off at main valve, disconnect, and remove to a place of safety. Cylinder Involved in Fire Cool with water spray until valve can be isolated then remove to a place of safety.

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Leaking Cylinder or Appliance

Flame at point of burning should not be extinguished without isolating main valve unless it is certain that no source of ignition exists. If leak is minor and ventilation is good extinguish flame and remove cylinder to safety.

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Leaking Cylinder or Appliance

If valve or cylinder are damaged and leak cannot be isolated, the cylinder should be cooled with a water spray to reduce the flow of gas, then if considered safe the flame should be extinguished and the cylinder removed to a place of safety.

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LPG Cylinder in Direct Contact With Flame

Cylinder should be cooled from behind cover. No attempt should be made to approach the cylinder until it is certain that the risk of explosion has been removed

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Position of LPG Cylinders

LPG cylinders must always remain in the upright position. In any other position the valve may be below the level of the liquid causing liquid to emerge instead of gas.

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Any Questions ?

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Objectives
State the common uses for compressed gases. State the possible hazards associated with leaking cylinders. Describe the general colour coding of cylinders State the hazards associated with gas cylinders when subjected to heat. Explain the actions to take when a cylinder is in direct contact with flame.
43

Objectives
State how Acetylene cylinders can be recognised. Describe the actions to take at incidents involving Acetylene cylinders. Describe how a BLEVE can occur.

44

Objectives
State the action to take with a ruptured LPG pipe or appliance and the action to take if involved in fire. State why LPG cylinders must be kept upright. Name the 2 types of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) used in domestic appliances. Describe the common causes of fire or explosion involving LPG cylinders. Explain the action to take when an LPG cylinder is in direct contact with a flame.
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