PN376 - Cylinder Procedure

Question 1

What is a cylinder? (Definition)

Answer 1

1.2 A cylinder can be defined as any vessel containing a gas or liquid under pressure

Question 2

Who should be consulted during all cylinder incidents?

Answer 2

HMEPO (Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Officer)

Question 3

What are your en route considerations if you become aware cylinders may be involved in a fire

Answer 3

• Safe route of approach and positioning of appliances
• Possible acetylene cylinders
• Use of initial hazard zone overlay
• Surrounding risks if HZ is implemented (rail, road, buildings etc)
• Early RVP and notify control
• Additional info received (crew knowledge, control, members of public)

Question 4

What are the initial actions of the IC at cylinder incidents?

Answer 4

• Make every effort to extinguish fire affecting cylinder regardless of contents and apply cooling spray to cylinder from behind substantial cover
• Remove unaffected cylinders

- Initial crews to identify 
      Type
      Size
      Contents
      Location
      Number

• Send message using BUDAPEST and including ‘1 x __kg acetylene cylinder confirmed involved, cylinder procedure being implemented
• Failed composite cylinders should be allowed to burn off in controlled manor to avoid build up of unburnt fire gases.

Question 5

What 4 criteria have to be established to allow the IC to reduce HZ as cylinders are not at risk of failing?

Answer 5

i) The fire has been extinguished
ii) The cylinders are definitely not acetylene
iii) All cylinders present have been located
iv) The cylinders involved are receiving direct cooling

Question 6

Crews working within 25m of a cylinder should be rigged in…?

Answer 6

Full structural firefighting PPE including BA

Question 7

Can mechanical shock cause decomposition in acetylene cylinders?

Answer 7

No, however it can speed up the decomposition process of a heated acetylene cylinder / damage the cylinder and cause a leak

Question 8

At what temperature does
i) a steel cylinder
ii) an aluminium cylinder
lose its tensile strength?

Answer 8

i) 300C

ii) 200-250C

Question 9

What hazard zone should be implemented if a cylinder is at risk of failure (substantially heated or subjected to direct flames)

Answer 9

200m (consideration to environmental cover etc, can be reduced if risk assessed)

Question 10

Who can support HMEPO if required?

Answer 10

BCGA CP

British Compressed Gas Association competent person

Question 11

i) For non acetylene confirmed cylinders, what must be included in your informative message once initial actions have been carried out?
ii) What else must be carried out once firefighting actions are complete

Answer 11

i)

• Actions taken
• number of evacuees
• HZ size and road closures
• RVP and approach route
• Tactical mode

ii)
Continue cooling cylinder until ambient temperature is achieved. Assess to ensure no leaks.
Remove HZ and send message stating highest recorded temperature, HZ removed and tactical mode

Question 12

What is a CAP test for acetylene cylinders?

Answer 12

After direct cooling of cylinder for 1 hour

• Stop application of water
• Monitor with TIC and record temp
• Observe for violent steaming or rapid drying out of cylinder surface
• Leave for 15 mins
• Apply momentary spray of water then shut off

Carry out 4 times (1 hour)

If the cylinder fails the CAP test at any point, re-apply water for 1 hour and then begin CAP test again

Question 13

What colour are acetylene cylinders?

Answer 13

Maroon