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LPG-fueled car fire
branching out from the main topic B.LE.V.E's. Someone suggested to create another thread regarding my question.
In the Philippines, for the almost 3 years all of our taxi's have switched from the conventional fuels (gasoline or diesel) to LPG fuel. The reason for this because its economical and the overhead is low. Because of the B.LE.V.E's topic, I bet our government never thought about it the safety part and surprisingly me too. I never thought of it that those Taxi's can someday caught fire and if went out of control. It can take out several cars beside it during traffic jam. In my research, I have found two cases already but good thing it never gone off like a bomb. In those two separate cases, it was put out by their drivers using their extinguishers.
But what if it goes out of control.
As a first arrival engine company, what is your best tactics on handling this situation? Thanks for your input.
In the Philippines, for the almost 3 years all of our taxi's have switched from the conventional fuels (gasoline or diesel) to LPG fuel. The reason for this because its economical and the overhead is low. Because of the B.LE.V.E's topic, I bet our government never thought about it the safety part and surprisingly me too. I never thought of it that those Taxi's can someday caught fire and if went out of control. It can take out several cars beside it during traffic jam. In my research, I have found two cases already but good thing it never gone off like a bomb. In those two separate cases, it was put out by their drivers using their extinguishers.
But what if it goes out of control.
As a first arrival engine company, what is your best tactics on handling this situation? Thanks for your input.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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Most (if not al) taxis in my State are fuelled by LPG. Many private cars are also LPG or dual fuel. This is seen as a high risk for the fire services, so to help us laws were passed that required all LPG (or dual fuel) cars to be shown as such by dusplaying a small red diamond in the middle of the vehicle number plates. As I've never been to a car fire where LPG was involved, I'd like to hear from anyone who has!
Because of the electric shock risk with hybrid cars, they also have to display a diamond sticker - green in this case.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Vito on
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Hey Tony P, I'm surprised that in your state has LPG fueled taxis. Here unfortunately there no display markings on the taxis. However, only small stickers at the back of the glass shield or bumper sticker showing he is patron of certain LPG refilling stations. That's the only marking we got.
Yes, we have hybrid buses are showing up... hmmm. no stickers too.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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LPG has been used for 30+ years in the US and it has had few problems. The biggest issue I have seen is overfilling when the air is cool. When it warms up, the safety valve vents the excess and we get called for a leak. I have heard of a couple of instances were there was a leak into the passenger compartment which was ignited and blew the doors off the car, but the resultant fire was a flash fire.
Personally I consider LPG to be safer than gasoline. I have taken several classes on these vehicles, and they are not as big of a hazard as one would think. The biggest danger of a fire occurs when refueling. In Houston, we also have tractor trailer units which have been converted to LPG, we have Metro buses operating on LNG ( liquefied natural gas), and private vehicles being operated on CNG (compressed natural gas). All vehicles are marked with a different color diamond sticker on the rear of the vehicle and the type of gas. I have also made many wrecks involving these vehicles from rollovers to head on and t-bone, and have yet to ever see one in a fire.
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We rarely get fires involving LPG powered vehicles, we rarely get fires with petrol powered vehicles! I think the issue is more that if there is a severe fire that a gas tank could BLEVE, which is potentially more severe than a petrol tank exploding?
But it's handy to know exactly what fuel you facing, by having the stickers.
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Thanks for the reply Oldman, that's great to know the safety side of LPG powered cars. Refilling station.... oh uh. We have one near our station. Across the highway where we were presently stationed. Will be watching for that one. And good thing in your experience it didn't went BLEVE.
Guys, again - Any ideas if this LPG car gone BLEVE?
Tony P thanks for sharing at your end of the pond.
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Thanks for the response Capt723. okay, approach from the front. keep distance and ofcourse keep the crowd away. I will pass this info to our local Philippine FF forum. This will be a great help.
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