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.