Post on 11-Jan-2016
Cylinder Fire
Slide 1
Cylinder Fire
Tactical Operational Guidance (TOG) Training
This training package considers the TOG for dealing with fires involving cylinders and includes specific guidance for Acetylene
cylinders.
This training package can be used by both individuals or groups and it is suggested that a minimum of 20 minutes will be required to complete the training presentation, not including the summative assessment and
the Acetylene cylinder flowchart.
It is recommended that the Managing Operational Incidents TOG is viewed in conjunction with this training package as it contains incident
command considerations common to all incident types.
Cylinder Fire
Slide 2
Cylinder Identification Cylinder Identification
Maroon
Acetylene Oxygen
WhiteDarkgreen
Argon
Blue
Nitrous oxide
Nitrogen
Black
Carbon dioxide
Grey Brown
Helium Air
Brightgreen
InertGas
Brightgreen
LightBlue
OxidisingGas
QuarteredShoulder
ConcentricBands
FlammableGas
Red Yellow
CorrosiveToxic Gas
NonSpecific
Cylinder Fire
Slide 3
Cylinder Shoulder Label Cylinder Shoulder Label
United NationsNumber
United NationsNumber
Gas NameGas Name
Gas GradeGas Grade
HazardSymbolHazardSymbol
Manufacturerscode number
Manufacturerscode number
Maximum draw off rate
Maximum draw off rate
Risk and safety information
Risk and safety information
Cylinderbar codeCylinderbar code
Label revision number
Label revision number
Company nameCompany name
Company contact details
Company contact details
Cylinder size code
Cylinder size code
Contents at 15°C at 1barContents at 15°C at 1bar
Cylinder Fire
Slide 4
Cylinder Failure
• All pressurised cylinders pose a risk when heated
• Ignited gas may cause fireball of up to 25 metres
• Fragments may be thrown up to 200 metres
• Blast wave may cause significant damage to structures
Composite Cylinders
• Cylinder wall may vent contents following heating.
Main Hazards and Control Measures Main Hazards and Control Measures
Cylinder Fire
Slide 5 Main Hazards and Control MeasuresMain Hazards and Control Measures
Exposure to hazardous material• Cylinder may contain hazardous
materials in liquid or gas form• May have cryogenic, oxidising,
flammable, explosive or toxic properties
• May be a risk of asphyxiation, or narcotic effects
Flammable or explosive Atmospheres• Leaking un-ignited flammable gas
may accumulate to form flammable or explosive atmospheres
• Consideration must be given to quantity of gas leaked wind direction and strength, topography and if lighter or heavier than air
Cylinder Fire
Slide 6
Cylinder Accident and Fire Cylinder Accident and Fire
Move on to the next slideMove on to the next slide
Cylinder Fire
Slide 7 Hazard AreasHazard Areas
200m
Incident Indicators• Smoke and Flame• Gas, Vapour clouds• Spills• Noises• Odours
Shielding or cover from buildings, structures or topography
Type and contents of adjacent
buildings and structures
Public proximity and reaction
Cylinder Fire
Slide 8
Initial ConsiderationsInitial Considerations
En route• SSRI• FireMet scheme
Approach• Generally from upwind,
upslope direction
Initial Cordon Control• Consider extending downwind
On arrival• Account and search for all
persons that may be involved in the incident
• Consider evacuation and environment
Cylinder Fire
Slide 9
ResourcesResources
Other agencies resources
• Subject matter advisors
• HART and Ambulance
• Police
Fire service resources
• Additional environmental and chemical protection equipment
• Consumables
• Specialist teams and officers
Resource management
• Rendezvous point
• Holding area
• Resource and equipment officer
• Safe access and egress routes
Cylinder Fire
B L E V EB L E V E
Move on to the next slideMove on to the next slide
Cylinder Fire
Slide 11
Operational ConsiderationsOperational Considerations
Determining cylinder involvement• Interview witnesses• Use thermal imaging equipment• Composite material
Indications that a cylindermay have been heated
• Burnt or blistered paint
• Burnt labels or plastic fittings
• Large amounts of steam
• Bulges in cylinder structure
• Eye witness confirmation of contact with flame
• The operation of pressure pressure relief devices
Prevention of escalation/spread• Extinguish fires and cool cylinders• Do not extinguish ignited gas• Consider monitors and lashed jets
for cooling• Consider an attempt to close
cylinder valve• Move unaffected cylinders
Leaking cylinders• Use hazmat procedures to deal
with cylinders not involved in fire• Consider build up of flammable
gas cloud and ignition sources
Cylinder Fire
Acetylene CylindersAcetylene Cylinders
Acetylene properties• Colourless, flammable gas• Lighter than air• Distinctive smell, asphyxiant• Shock sensitive• Used for welding, cutting and heat
treating
Initial actions• Position upwind 200 metres away• Confirm ‘acetylene involved’• Commit minimum crew• Full PPE• BA within 25 metres• Use acetylene flowchart
Slide 12
Cylinder Fire
Relevant References
Confirmation of Learning Exercise
National Occupational Standards
Close Presentation
Acetylene Cylinder Flowchart
Cylinder Fire
National Occupational StandardsNational Occupational Standards
This training package will assist in the development of skills, knowledge and understandingthat are necessary to successfully deal with this type of incident. Dependant on role, thefollowing elements of NOS may be applicable at this type of incident.
FF2 – Take responsibility for effective performanceFF4 – Resolve operational incidentsFF5 – Protect the environment from the effects of hazardous materialsFF6 – Support effectiveness of operational resource FF9 – Drive, manoeuvre and redeploy fire service vehicles
WM1 - Lead the work of teams and individuals to achieve their objectivesWM3 - Manage information for actionWM4 - Take responsibility for effective performanceWM5 - Support the development of teams and individualsWM7 - Lead and support people to resolve operational incidentsWM9 - Support the efficient use of resources
Cylinder Fire
Technical References:
Relevant ReferencesRelevant References
• Fire and Rescue Service Operational guidance – Incidents involving hazardous materials - 2012• British Compressed Gas Association• Technical Information sheet 6 – 2012• Transportable gas cylinders – Fully wrapped composite cylinders, EN 12245, February 2002
Cylinder Fire
Photographic References:
Slide 2/1 – www.wikimedia.comSlide 4/1 – www.unrestrictedstock.comSlide 4/2 – www.wikimedia.comSlide 5/1 – www.flickr.comSlide 5/2 – www.london-fire.gov.ukSlide 6/1 – www.youtube.co.ukSlide 8/1 – www.london-fire.gov.uk
Slide 9/1 – www.dsfire.gov.ukSlide 9/2 – wwwhighrisefirefighting.co.ukSlide 9/3 – www.hwfire.org.ukSlide 11/1 – www.fsc.ac.ukSlide 11/2 – www.fsc.ac.ukSlide 11/3 – www.flickr.comSlide 12/1 – www.flickr.comSlide 12/2 – www.rbfrs.co.uk
Relevant ReferencesRelevant References
Cylinder Fire
Question 1Question 1
What size and weight would you expect cylinders containing compressed gas and gas mixtures to be?
a) They can be from 450mm to 1300mm tall and weigh up to 80kg.
d) They can be from 300mm to 1600mm tall and weigh up to 80kg.
c) They can be from 350mm to 1500mm tall and weigh up to 80kg.
b) They can be from 400mm to 1400mm tall and weigh up to 80kg.
Cylinder Fire
What does it indicate if the cylinder shoulders or the entire cylinder is painted a specific colour?
a) It indicates the flashpoint and toxicity of the gas.
c) It indicates the properties of the gas, or signifies a specific gas contained within the cylinder.
d) It indicates the weight and size of the cylinder.
Question 2Question 2
b) It indicates the United Nations classification that the gas falls under.
Cylinder Fire
Regardless of their contents, when are all pressurised cylinders at their greatest risk of failure?
a) When they are being refilled.
b) During transportation by road.
c) When they are subjected to heating or direct flame contact.
Question 3Question 3
d) If they have been subjected to shock by being dropped.
Cylinder Fire
Question 4Question 4
c) How much of the gas has leaked, the wind direction and strength, the local topography and whether the substance is lighter or heavier than air.
What should be considered when determining the extent and location of possible gas clouds following leaks?
a) How much of the gas has leaked, the proximity of the public, the local topography and whether the substance is soluble in water.
b) How much of the gas has leaked, the wind direction and strength, the local topography and whether the substance is toxic or corrosive.
Cylinder Fire
Question 5Question 5
Initially, how far away should crews remain from cylinders that are involved in fire?
a) 200 metres.
b) 100 metres.
c) 50 metres.
d) 25 metres.
Cylinder Fire
a) Burning Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion.
d) Boiling Liquid Enlarging Vapour Explosion.
b) Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion.
c) Boiling Liquefied Expanding Vapour Explosion.
Question 6Question 6
What does the acronym BLEVE stand for?
Cylinder Fire
Question 7Question 7
What equipment should be used to assist with deciding which cylinders may have been heated and if they are approaching
critical temperatures
d) Thermal imaging and remote thermometer equipment.
a) Hose reel sprays and remote thermometer equipment.
b) Thermal imaging and PPV equipment.
c) PPE and ‘feeling’ with the back of the hand.
Cylinder Fire
c) 300 degrees centigrade.
At what temperature do steel cylinders lose strength and are at risk of failure?
a) 8.2 degrees centigrade.
b) 125 degrees centigrade.
d) 1000 degrees centigrade.
Question 8Question 8
Cylinder Fire
Where cylinders are leaking and not involved in fire, what initial actions should be taken?
a) Efforts should be made to identify the contents of the cylinder and then the incident should be dealt with using CBRN procedures.
b) Efforts should be made to identify the contents of the cylinder and then the incident should be dealt with using Hazardous materials procedures.
c) Efforts should be made to identify the contents of the cylinder and then the incident should be dealt with using Acetylene procedures.
Question 9Question 9
Cylinder Fire
Question 10Question 10
What type of flame does Acetylene burn with?
c) A cool, incandescent flame.
a) An intensely hot, luminous and smoky flame.
b) A hot, clean blue flame.
d) It does not burn.