Cylinder Procedure

Question 1

Who is at cylinder incidents that will help to support the IC?

Answer 1

HMEPO

Question 2

Why should caution be taken when moving composite cylinders?

Answer 2

As the resin may have become weakened to the extent where it may begin to leak when handled. In these situations it is
best to leave the cylinder in situ and consult the HMEPO.

Question 3

What is the danger with composite cylinder that are not domestic BBQ or heater styles?

Answer 3

It can not be confirmed that they are solely of composite construction

Question 4

What are the hazard zone distances relating to cylinder procedure?

Answer 4

Initial cordon 200m

Fire ball (wear BA) 25m

Shrapnel 200m

Question 5

What should be the initial actions of the IC when cylinders are discovered?

Answer 5

Start to cool it

Question 6

Following a DRA the IC can determine that the cylinder is of no immediate danger or failing when?

4

Answer 6

(I) the fire has been extinguished
(II) the cylinders are definitely not acetylene
(III) all the cylinders present have been located
(IV) the cylinders involved are receiving direct cooling.

Once this has been confirmed it is not necessary to have a 200m hazard zone.

If not

Full cylinder procedure must be implemented.

Question 7

Can cylinders be moved?

Answer 7

Any cylinders not involved in the initial fire. But are at risk of becoming involved. Should be removed to a place of safety.

Question 8

What are some of the visual indicators that a cylinder may not have been involved in the fire?

3

Answer 8

• Paper labels and plastic rings
• paintwork has been blackened or blistered
• the supply hose are I damaged

Question 9

What temperature do steel and aluminium cylinder lose their tensile strength at?

Answer 9

Steel - 300 degrees C
aluminium - 200 – 250C
Composite cylinders will not lower

Question 10

After one hour of cool and CAP test should be completed. What is the CAP test?

Answer 10

Following 1 hour of cooling -

• Monitor the cylinder with a TIC and record the temp
• observe any violent steaming or rapid drying out of the cylinder surface
• leaving cooling water off for 15min

Apply a momentary spray of water and then shut off

The above process should be completed 4 times (total of 1hour)

Question 11

What are your actions when a cylinder is alight at the valve group?

Answer 11

Make sure the valve group is not damaged!!!!

Cool first and try not to extinguish the flame.

Using a 45mm jet extinguish and turn off the valve quick before a build up of gas.

Use the HMEPO to advise re - type cylinder gas. Gas is normally lighter than air and if well ventilated should disperse

Question 12

What should be done when a cylinder has received mechanical shock?

Answer 12

Any cylinder which has received mechanical shock should be checked to insure that it is not leaking, typically from around the valve. If leaking it could present a toxic, asphyxiant corrosive or flammable risk.
If not returned to the owner and advise contact with the cylinder company using CP scheme
A cylinder handover form should be completed.

Question 13

When can members of the public remain in their property?

Answer 13

Those that are over 100m away and ask to stay away from windows and doors

For all persons refusing to leave premises should have their details pass onto the senior police officer at the scene.

Question 14

Where is cylinder CP information avail?

BCGA - CP - competent person

Answer 14

RMC and on cylinder handover forms form on command unit.

It is not the CP role to instruct the IC only to advise

The CP can arrange to have the cylinder removed after the incident. This often not needed.

Question 15

Can composite contain acetylene?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

Acetylene cylinder can be identified by?

Answer 16

Acetylene is the only cylinder that doesn’t have a coloured shoulder

The whole body should be a maroon colour.

Question 17

What are the dangers of disposable cylinders?

Answer 17

Generally domestic industry cylinder contain gasses of low risk.

Should be sent to refuse centre at will have receive training on decommissioning. Emptying and then bursting the disc.

In refuse centre fire they should be treated as non-acetylene

Question 18

Where a composite cylinder is involved and has failed. What should be your actions?

Answer 18

Allow the contents to burn off before extinguishing the fire. The crews should ensure that the surrounding risks are protected.

Question 19

When sending messages regarding cylinder temperatures. It is not necessary to state all temps of all cylinders only highest recorded.
True or false

Answer 19

True

Question 20

If a cylinder is discovered to be leaking (not involved in fire) and not able close the value. Who should be considered to be requested?

Answer 20

RRT or FRU to monitor the atmosphere using detection meters

Question 21

what are the four cylinder construction types?

Answer 21

Cylinders are constructed in the following ways:
• Welded cylinders: two steel halves welded together around the centre.

• Drawn steel: a single steel skin containing no weld.
• Aluminium cylinders: lighter in weight than steel cylinders and used to contain specialist gases.

• Composite cylinders: a woven “fabric” jacket impregnated with resin and protected by a
hardened plastic outer cage. This type of cylinder is mainly used for LPG but can be found with various contents. Occasionally these cylinders can have an aluminium inner lining.

Question 22

Where a composite cylinder is involved in direct flame impingement the cylinder
may become porous, this will be evident by?

Answer 22

a substantial increase in the size of the fire as it will be fed by the gas from inside the cylinder.

Question 23

At a reported cylinder incident what initial information will the IC want to gather about the cylinder/s.
5

Answer 23

The type, size, contents, location and number of any cylinders involved

(if the cylinder is acetylene or not)

Question 24

On discovery of a cylinder that has been directly affected by Fire/heat what should crews do. with regards to cooling?

Answer 24

Crews should lash off branches set on cooling spray and then withdraw.

Where crews are unable to lash off branches, the use of ground monitors should be considered by the IC.

Question 25

Are crews allowed to work within the 200m hazard zone (cylinders)?

Answer 25

A HZ is not an exclusion zone; crews may work in this area following a risk assessment by the IC.

When working within the HZ crews must work behind substantial cover where available and be wearing full structural fire fighting PPE (fire kit, fire hood, gloves).

Where crews are working within 25m of a heated cylinder BA should also be worn.

Question 26

What does the CAP test stand for?

Answer 26

Cylinder assessment process

Question 27

What happens if a Acetylene or Unknown cylinder fails the CAP test?

Answer 27

repeat the process starting with 1 hour of cooling>

Question 28

Cylinder incident -

In a situation where water cooling may have a detrimental effect on the incident, the IC may consider employing? .

Answer 28

In a situation where water cooling may have a detrimental effect on the incident, the IC may consider employing air-cooling (also known as self-cooling).
Air cooling means that a cylinder is left to recover from being heated by cooling naturally. The air-cooling should be applied to the cylinder for an hour as with water cooling, however, this decision should only be taken in consultation with the HMEPO

During air-cooling the HMEPO may advise on the more frequent use of the CAP process to check on the effectiveness of the cooling.

Question 29

How are acetylene cylinders turn off?

Answer 29

By use of a specialist key (ask owner) or hand wheel

Question 30

Can decomposition of an acetylene cylinder be initiated by shock?

Answer 30

No, Decomposition can not be initiated in an unheated, undamaged acetylene cylinder by mechanical
shock alone. Decomposition can only commence by heat energy being imparted to the acetylene
gas

Mechanical shock can, however, cause physical damage and any cylinder which has been subjected to a mechanical shock should be checked to ensure it is not leaking

Question 31

What type of incident should a leaking cylinder be treated as?

Answer 31

Hazardous materials incident