Posted By Robert (Rod) Douglas Dear Safety Folk, I have a question (Now theres a thing) I was at a Warehouse the other day giving a bit of safety advise as you do. One of the things that I advised the Ops Manager to do was ensure that their propane and diesel Forklifts have a 1KG dry Powder Fire Extinguisher placed on board by the drivers seat. A colleague of mine who is a Fire Consultant (And ex fireman) threw scorn upon me for suggesting such a thing. What are your thoughts? Aye, Rod D

Posted By Iain W Agree with Simons comments similar background but not the military As Simon said effects could be much worse if propane fire was extinguished and reignited - ka-boom Gas cylinders can be a firefighters worst nightmare, when they explode - well lets just say it wouldn't be the place to be It is different offshore where the firebrigade are not at the end of the telephone, the object there would be to try and extinguish the fire early so that it didn't spread however this is not a specific requirement, If it is not safe to attempt it, it will be left for the fixed systems and emergency teams to deal with - difference being everyone who goes offshore has done a basic firefighting course and emergency teams go through extensive training given by professional firefighters. In the situation you describe it would be better to raise the alarm, evacuate and leave to the professionals

Posted By Merv Newman I think the same goes for keeping an extinguisher in your car, unless it is a decent industrial size one and you have had the training. Burn, baby, burn while I watch from a safe distance while taking photos for the insurance company.

Posted By TBC Only extinguish if you can turn off the gas immediately. ie. the valve is intact.

Posted By Mark Eden Has anyone ever wondered why the fire service put a 200m cordon around gas cylinders involved in fire. When I was in the fire service a college lost a leg when a cylinder exploded inside a building, he was standing out side behind a fire appliance when the cylinder came through the side of the building and the fire truck. If a gas powered FLT catches fire I would suggest you vacate the area rather quickly and don't try and be a hero, the FB have the best training & PPE available, you don't

Posted By Iain W I think the initial point was the extinguisher was for use on the FLT in the event a fire broke out , I might be wrong though, in which case yes maybe for a small electrical fire involving some wiring. A 1 kg (although it is the first time heard of usually 2kg stored pressure extinguisher) extinguisher would only be of use to a very small localised fire. Even a 12kg Dp or 9ltr water etc is completely used up in around a minute or so at a constant discharge rate, so it would have to be a really small fire or one caught very early. Totally agree about nipping it in the bud, but whoever used it would have to be quick. However still go along with the rest of postings - why endanger yourself if you don't have to - leave to professionals

Posted By George Wedgwood I agree with the opinion to get to a safe distance as it will be nearly impossible to determine what type of fire it is and whether it is likely to affect the gas container. Believe me, you would not want to be near when a cylinder goes off - I have been 12m from a cylinder when it went off in a local brazier fire and pieces went more than a mile away, just missing me! Two of my firends were seriously injured (recovered now as we were teenagers at the time). Keep it cool - but professionally! Any FLT in a vulnerable situation where fire will be an expensive hazard to deal with, should be fitted with an engine fire extinguishing system - this will deal safely with most fires on board. Pyroban rings a bell! operators should be instructed to raise the alarm immediately and retreat.

Posted By Renny Thomson Having seen AFFF used in Motor Sport, I can ussure you it is a poor substitute for halon. Unless it is correctly applied it is next to useless. If it is a hazardous environment that the FLT is operating in, it may be better to look at the specification of the FLT to avoid ignition rather than tackle the after effects. Where gas cylinders are involved, distance is your best defence.... RUN!

Posted By Nicholas Rainsford Ladis and Gents. This is my first time on the discussion forum, having recently joined IOSH so I'm hoping it goes to the right area - apologies if I'm sending it to the wrong area. I saw the title of this particular discussion and thought that fire fighting and fire safety would be topical, so here is my question: The oil rig I work on has BA sets equipped with air bottles charged to 300 bar. I need to know the number of litres of air in the bottle when it is fully charged as we are ordering a slide rule for our BA control boards (we have the wrong pressure on our existing slide rules). Does anybody know of a formula to use to make such a calculation? The empty displacement of the BA bottles is 6.8 litres. Thanks for any help

Posted By Mark Eden In answer to Nicks Question I would suggest that you contact the manufacturers and ask them but I would think they are 1800 litre capacity tanks as this seems to be the capacity some fire brigades stipulate for their operational CABA sets.