PN 376 Cylinder procedure

Question 1

What does HMEPO stand for?

Answer 1

Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Officer

Question 2

At what temperature does a steel or aluminium cylinder lose its tensile strength?

Answer 2

Steel = 300 degrees C

Aluminium = 200 - 250 degrees C

Question 3

What distance can fragments be projected, when a steel cylinder fails?

Answer 3

up to 200m

Question 4

What hazard zone should be implemented around a cylinder of unknown contents?

Answer 4

200m

Question 5

Upon discovering a cylinder effected by fire what actions should be taken?

Answer 5

From cover:

Try to extinguish the fire affecting the cylinder and apply a cooling spray directly onto affected cylinders

Question 6

if a composite cylinder has failed, what should happen before the fire is extinguished?

Answer 6

the contents should be allowed to burn off to prevent build up of un-burnt gases

Question 7

Once cylinders have been confirmed at an incident what message should be sent?

Answer 7

informative message with details of the cylinders involved with “cylinder procedure being implemented”

Question 8

When is it not necessary to implement a 200m hazard zone at a cylinder incident?

Answer 8

following DRA and confirmation of:

1. fire has been extinguished
2. the cylinder(s) are not acetylene
3. All cylinders have been located
4. cylinders involved are receiving direct cooling

Question 9

In the case of acetylene or unidentified cylinders how long should cooling last?

Answer 9

1 hour

Question 10

What PPE is required for crews working within 25m of a cylinder, which is being cooled?

Answer 10

BA, fire kit, fire hood, gloves

Question 11

When can crews work within a Hazard Zone?

Answer 11

1. Following risk assessment by the IC

2. when substantial cover is available

Question 12

What should an informative message for a cylinder incident include?

Answer 12

1. Actions taken
2. number of evacuees
3. The Hazard zone size and road closures
4. RVP and approach route
5. Temperature readings of the cylinders being cooled (highest reading)

Question 13

What is the purpose of cooling affected cylinders?

Answer 13

to restore to ambient temperature

Question 14

What does CAP stand for?

Answer 14

Cylinder Assessment Process

Question 15

What does a CAP involve?

Answer 15

Stop application of water after 1 hour:

1. Monitor cylinder with TIC and record temperature
2. observe for any violent steaming or rapid drying
3. leave cooling water off for 15 minutes

should be completed 4 times (a total of 1 hour)

Question 16

Cylinders alight at the valve group may be turned off provided:

Answer 16

1. The cylinder is alight from the valve group
2. the cylinder is not alight from around the neck of the valve
3. The valve is undamaged and full operable.