FIRE FIGHTING - GENERAL ACTION

From  “C.O.P. part 3 -Recommendation for prevention or control of fire involving LPG “

• Inform immediatelly Civil Defence Fire Brigade
• Cut off or reduce the supply of gas ,wherever possible
• Evacuate and cordon-off reasonable area
• Control leak or fire or avoid rupture, by applying  water spray to heat-exposed surfaces of container.
• Avoid ignition of gas clouds by removing ignition hazards,purging or as a last resort
• after carefull assessmentt-ignite gas,provided that flame impingment will not occur on
• the container to prevent widespread ignition danger and subsequent explosion.
• Approach downwind to any fire or escaping product
• Avoid coming in contact with gas or liquid, as:
• a/ saturated clothing may subsequently become ignited.
• b/ liquid coming in contact with flesh will cause severe cold burns.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

For the fire involved LPG the best  are DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHERS
The foam and water  extinguisher ARE NOT suitable for LPG fire fighting.
The water is not suitable for LPG fire except  the cooling LPG tank.
 

RED	WATER	Wood,Paper Textilies	.	.	.	DO NOT USE for electrical appl. liquids
CREAM	FOAM	.	Flammable  liquids	.	.	DO NOT USE for electrical appl.
BLUE	POWDER	.	Flammable  liquids	Flammable  gases	Electrical Appliances	.
BLACK	CO 2	.	Flammable liquids	Flammable  gases	Electrical Appliances	.
GREEN	HALON	.	Flammable liquids	Flammable gases	Electrical Appliances	DO NOT USE in confined spaces

BLEVE EFFECT

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion  is The most dangerous case of fire for LPG installation.
The pressure in tank exerted by boiling liquid -heated from fire in tank’s surrounding -cause rupture of tank and
explosion of huge cloud of gas.
Only cooling of the tank during fire and proper condition of Safety Relief valve can help to avoid this  disaster.

PASSIVE PROTECTIONS  OF LPG INSTALLATIONS
 

• Mechanical protection of installation like trenching  ,trunking , fencing ect.
• Restricted access of unauthorised persons to installation  /closed  fences ,boxes /
• Warning signs and plates
• Warning painting of the  installation -for LPG  -yellow.
• Easy access for Fire Fighting- properly labelled  access to tanks ,emergency valves ect.
• Fire extinguishers -ready for use ,not expired , located in proper places
• Instruction of use for users  and maintenace staff .
• Emergency numbers  for Gas Service and Fire Fighting exposed in good visible  places.

ACTIVE PROTECTIONS  OF  LPG INSTALLATIONS
 

• Installation provided with emergency shut off valves for cut -off  the gas supply.
• Gas leak detectors located close to possible places of gas leaks -interconnected  with alarm system
• Excess flow valves located on the piping system to protect against escape of the gas in the case of pipe damage.
• Safety Relief Valves installed on the tanks to protect against excessive pressure.
• Automatic and/or manually remote operated shut-off valve  for cut -off main gas supply in the case of fire or gas leak.
• Automatic and/or manually operated water spray for LPG tank for cooling the LPG tank in the case of fire.
• Automatic pressure regulators on gas supply pipes -to protect against high or low gas pressure.

to be contiuued...

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