During our training workshops and when we undertake site surveys, we always ask delegates if they have evacuation procedures if a fire is discovered on site. They always do.
We then ask where the fire evacuation muster points are located. Invariably they’re located within 20 metres of the cylinder gas store. Totally inappropriate.
Why Compressed Gas Cylinders Are Dangerous in a Fire
Compressed gas cylinders are filled to very high pressures, some are now filled to 300 bar, upwards of 4,000 pounds per square inch.
Gas cylinders containing permanent gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon and helium have no pressure relieving mechanisms attached to them. If this type of cylinder is involved in a fire situation and the cylinder shell is rapidly heated, the gas pressure inside the cylinder will quickly increase until such time as the cylinder ruptures.
We have been informed by various County Fire and Rescue Services that they have experienced large gas cylinders travelling over 400 metres through the air after rupturing.
Fire Safety Risk Assessment Requirements
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order requires organisations to undertake a Fire Safety Risk Assessment for the workplace.
This must include an assessment of the impact from the use of a pressure system and its associated gas source. The findings from the risk assessment should then be incorporated into the Site Fire Safety Management Plan. This plan should include the actions to be taken in the event of a fire involving gas cylinders and the evacuation procedures to be undertaken.
What Should You Do If Gas Cylinders Are Involved in a Fire?
The first thing to do is to keep away. Do not approach or attempt to move the gas cylinder or turn off the valve. Then someone needs to raise the alarm, evacuate the area and keep other members of staff away. Whilst this is being done the Fire and Rescue Service must be notified.
The person contacting the Fire and Rescue Service (F&RS) will need to know where the gas cylinders are located, their gaseous contents and their quantity, as the F&RS would prefer to know that gas cylinders are involved before they reach your site.
Remember, you have a duty of care to the F&RS and any other emergency services who attend your site, so the more information you can give them, the better.
When the Fire and Rescue Service Arrive
When the F&RS arrive on site your Senior Fire Warden should advise them where the fire is located and the actions that you have taken to evacuate personnel.
If there are other gas cylinders in the area and if it is safe to do so, these should be removed to a safe location. Cylinders should only be moved by trained operators under the guidance of the F&RS.
Notify Your Gas Supplier
Whilst the F&RS are travelling to your site it is advisable to inform your gas supplier that their cylinders are involved in a fire. The major gas suppliers in the UK have experienced personnel who are able to attend incidents and advise the F&RS.
After the Incident
Following an incident, the Fire and Rescue Service will inform you when it is safe to approach the gas cylinders. Do not use any gas cylinders which have been involved in a fire. Some may have obvious damage, but others may appear to be satisfactory whilst having had their mechanical properties affected by heat, which is unnoticeable to the naked eye. Any fire-damaged cylinders will be recovered by the gas supplier and taken away for analysis or disposal.
Ensure Your Organisation Is Prepared
It is important that your gas supplier’s emergency contact numbers are available to all relevant parties within your organisation: switchboard, security, facility management and so on.
Everyone should be aware of the actions to be undertaken within your Site Fire Safety Management Plan. These actions must be practised so that they become second nature. The worst time to practise these actions is when an actual fire is in progress.
Are your staff aware of the actions to be undertaken in the event of a fire involving gas cylinders?
If you require help or assistance with fire safety training for compressed gas users, please contact us on 01270 758890 or at admin@gassafeconsultants.co.uk.
