vfdb/
GFPA
Data Sheet
Recommendations for Fire Service Operation
on Hazards of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Liquefied
Petroleum Gas
July 2007
Disclaimer: Exclusion of liability This data sheet was thoroughly worked out by the experts of the
vfdb/GFPA and approved by the Presidency of the vfdb/GFPA. The applicant of this data sheet is responsible
to verify applicability of this data sheet to his individual case and to have the last updated version in hands. The
GFPA as well as the persons involved in the outline of this data sheet do not assume any liability.
Terms and Conditions of Contract: The vfdb/GFPA refers to the mandatory separate agreement of all
performance services in case of contract conclusion. The vfdb/GFPA does not accept any claims for
compensation, especially not, if due to insufficiently defined contract terms and conditions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
General: ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Applications: ............................................................................................................................ 3
Properties: ............................................................................................................................... 3
Characteristics, storage and transport:..................................................................................... 4
Verification: .............................................................................................................................. 4
2.
Provisions: ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Escape of liquefied gas but no fire: .......................................................................................... 5
Escape of liquefied gas and fire: .............................................................................................. 6
Surrounding Fire ...................................................................................................................... 7
Notification: .............................................................................................................................. 7
Equipment with safety valve / cooling water requirement ......................................................... 7
Scenario safety distance and risk zone for liquefied gas accidents and fires ............................ 7
3.
Literature References: ........................................................................................................................... 8
____________________________
Approved by the Presidency of vfdb /GFPA on
vfdb – TWB
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2
Juli 2007
Scientific-Technical Advisory Council
German Fire Protection Association – GFPA
PO Box 1231, 48338 Altenberge
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1. General:
The term liquefied gas refers to low boiling C3- and C4-hydrocarbons, like propane or butane as
well as their mixtures or congeneric gases as for example propene and butene. The generic
term for liquefied gas is LPG (liquefied Petroleum gas). In addition there are numerous mixtures
of propane and butane with safety coefficients ranging between propane and butane.
Applications:
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For gas heating in housing and industrial facilities, as fuel for combustion engines (fork
lifters, vehicles).
as blowing agent in spray dusters (cans)
as a coolant in cooling units
Properties:
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under pressure (5 bar to 10 bar) liquefied gas
combustible and creates explosive atmospheres
respiratory poison causing suffocation, non-toxic, with low narcotic effect in high
concentration.
liquefied gas is about 1.5 to 2.1 times heavier than air.
 “heavy gas behaviour” behaves similar to a liquid!
Collects in (flows to) lower level sections like basements, shafts and hollows!
Released in liquid phase it first evaporates, and then rapidly cools down itself and the
surrounding to the boiling point and below. Risk of frostbite!
Watch possible icing of control components.
Gas mixes only slowly with air, and therefore remains ignitable even at a remote
distance. A rollover ignition to the point of release is possible.
Larger pools of liquefied petroleum gas can remain as a boiling liquid in depressions or
troughs for a longer period of time.
Liquefied gas floats on water, but insoluble and evaporates on the surface. (is not
hazardous to waters!!)
Safety Coefficients
liquefied petroleum gas:
propane
butane
standard mixture:
chemical formula
C3H8
C4H10
C4H10/C3H8
UN - Number
1978
1011
1965
Hommel-Data Sheet-No.
164
46
1102; 1103; 1071;
1072; 1095ff
density, liquid (kg/l)
0,58
0,6
density, gaseous (g/l)
2,01
2,71
8,4
2,1
vapor pressure at 20 °C
(bar)
density ratio to air
vfdb – TWB
1,55
2,1
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boiling temperature (°C)
- 42
- 0,5
ignition temperature (°C)
470
365
critical temperature (°C)
97
152
odor threshold (Vol.-%)
1,6
0,27
2,1 – 9,5
1,5 – 8,5
temperature classification
T1
T2
T2
explosion group
II A
II A
II A
AGW (ppm)
1000
1000
1000
ETW (ppm)
not specified
not specified
not specified
EX.-range (Vol-%)
1 kg liquefied gas equals 0.5 kg TNT explosives
1 kg liquefied gas equals about 2 l liquid form
about 2 l liquid equals about 500 l gaseous form
500 l gaseous can become 30,000 l ignitable gas/air mixture
Characteristics, storage and transport:
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gaseous and in liquid form colourless
Propane and butane are odourless; scent is due to odorizing.
Risk classification number: 23 (ignitable gas)
risk label 2.1 (red with black or white flame symbol)
pressurised gas containers with a content of 0.4 kg – 6.2 kg do no have a colour coding,
especially spray cans don’t.
 pressurised gas containers with a content of 5 kg, 12 kg and 33 kg are coloured red, grey
as well as orange. Grey or orange liquefied gas cylinders are marked by red colour ring.
Cylinders for camping can be marked blue.
 Immobile cylinder containing up to 6.4 m³ at individual buildings as well, for gas supply
facilities, spherical or ground storage tanks up to and above 600 m³ too.
 Tank truck and rail tank wagons containing up to 110 m³.
Rail tank wagons show a horizontal orange stripe (30 cm height) at level of the container’s
longitudinal axis.
 Immobile industrial containers containing about 800 m³ - 1500 m³, for liquefied gas
suppliers up to 4000 m³.
Verification:
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detector tubes: hydrocarbon
Ex-warning device
2. Provisions:
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Keep adequate safety distance!
- Watch wind direction!
Avoid lower grounds!
Escape of liquefied gas but no fire:
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Approach scenario, if possible, with the wind
Cordon off and secure the explosion risk zone under consideration of assumed escape
direction.
No open flames, do not smoke, exclude any source of ignition. Do not operate any
buttons, electronic devices or mobile phones within the risk zone.
Place vehicles outside the risk zone.
Do not place vehicles in low grounds.
Watch change of winds.
Verify form of escape whether liquid or gaseous: In case of liquid escape, flow rate is
higher than for escape of gas!
Inspection of container volume, filling level and content.
Gas can be visualised for example with an infrared camera, even after dispersion of “
fog”.
if required, consult LIQUEFIED GAS SAFETY SERVICE.
In case of unknown container dimensions, keep utmost operational safety distance
(minimum 100 m for large scale tanks, minimum 50 m for vehicle facilities and gas
cylinders). After inspection adapt safety distance to container dimensions accordingly
(see table page 6).
In case of gas escape in large quantities, warning of the population in endangered areas
and evacuation, if required.
All units in primary risk zone operate with personal protective equipment and heat
protective clothing!
Prepare securing squads equipped with dry powder pipe, and water cannons etc. If
required, conduct gas fumes with spray or hydro shields away from endangered areas.
Devices applied in a primary hazard zone needs to be explosion proof. Evacuation of risk
zone if possible, diagonal/crossway to wind direction. (Definitely not in slope downwards
as gas is heavier than air!)
If provided, operate deluge facilities (see fire service operation, if existent).
For approach put on full protective suit (e.g. with respect to other risks) Consider damage
of clothing caused by freeze impact!
Seal basements, low-level rooms, hollows, shafts and canals.
Do not spray water into liquid phase or leaking container; “warm” water will speed
evaporation!
Application of middle foam or heavy foam will slow down or disrupt evaporation and
extend time of gas discharge. (The foam freezes and functions as a “cover”.)
Seal minor leakage with sealing cushion, stopper etc., icing of leakage, if possibly with
water spray of wet textile rags.
Isolate pipes; if required turn off tank heating.
Inspection of risk zone by detection crews and continuous monitoring of all adjacent
rooms, low-level shafts, basements, canals etc. for explosion hazard.
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
bring small leaking containers outdoors.
Escape of liquefied gas but no fire, intended evaporation of liquid:
Basically the above applies! In addition:
 If possible consult expert advice. for example: LIQUEFIED GAS SAFETY SERVICE
(FLÜSSIGGAS-SICHERHEITSDIENST, FSD), Tel.: +49-(0)69 75909-153
 Cordon off large scale risk zone.
 Continuous large-scale and extensive monitoring of explosion hazard – mainly in
hollows!
 Evaporation can be (attention!) increased by water supply! Applicable, if not bearing any
risk for the vicinity or a controlled escape of gas fumes is possible.
 Outdoor/open air detection of explosion hazard requires particular caution!
Escape of liquefied gas and fire:
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Attention: In case of direct flames, safety valves do not provide sufficient pressure relief!
Rail tank wagons do not have safety valves!
Therefore direct flames or extreme container heating bear risk of “BLEVE” (Boiling Liquid
Expanding Vapor Explosion) or respectively an “ordinary” explosion associated with burst
of vessel: Compressed, liquefied and under pressure dissolved gas are stored in
compression vessels. These vessels are resistant up to a specific internal pressure. An
increase of the internal pressure due to external heating causes burst of vessel. The total
content is abruptly released. If this process refers to an abrupt release of compressed
liquefied gas and rollover ignition of total content, this scenario is called “BLEVE”.
For large containers, the fireball may extend to several 100 meters.
Fairly empty containers may burst after fairly brief fire impact of about 10 minutes.
(containers filled to more capacity require, depending on their level of filling possibly
more time, as more heating is required for the liquid phase.)
Larger container components may be catapulted several hundred meters, but minor parts
even more than 1000 m.
Burn of unprotected skin is possible up to a distance of 300 m caused by heat radiation.
Considerable pressure develops and may cause damage within several hundred meters.
Do not place vehicles in low grounds.
In case of unknown container dimensions, keep utmost operational safety distance
(minimum 100 m for large scale tanks, minimum 50 m for vehicle facilities and gas
cylinders). After inspection adapt safety distance to the container dimensions accordingly
(see table below).
WARNING of the population etc.
Find out for how long the container has been exposed to fire. Consider the BLVE hazard!
Cooling of container. (see below cooling water requirements)
If containers are not at risk of heating or, if sufficient cooling can be provided, ensure
complete burn off as this will lower the risk of explosion!
Cooling and fire extinguishing only sheltered. Employ application range of water cannon
and monitor.
If possible, isolate burning rail tank wagon from train.
Consider risk of flash-back when extinguishing.
After successful extinguishment and sealing/isolation, inspection of all adjacent rooms,
shafts at lower levels, basements, canals etc. with respect to explosion hazards.
Consider that safety valves may not close properly following initial response and
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subsequent cooling.
Surrounding Fire
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assessment of explosion risk
extinguish surrounding fire
carry small containers to open air
Notification:
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Emergency Medical Services
Police
Public Affairs Office
SAFETY SERVICE LIQUEFIED GAS (FSD) +49(0)69/75909-153 (permanently manned!)
Operator
Equipment with safety valve / cooling water requirement
container type
pressurised gas cylinders
pressurised gas vehicles
private supply plants
truck, truck plus trailer,
articulated truck
Rail-tank wagon
storage plants, inland vessels
volume
up to 0,1
up to 0,1
up to 5,0 m³
up to 36 m³
cooling water(l/min)
15
15
180
1.200
safety valve
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
up to 110 m³
250 – 1000 m³
2.500
2.000 – 150.000
No
No
Scenario safety distance and risk zone for liquefied gas accidents and
fires
container form
volume
(m3)
largest
storage
quantity (kg)
< 0,08
33
gas fuelled vehicles
0,1
40
25
100
200
private supply plant,
compact facilities
2,7 – 6,4
1200 – 2900
100*
200
400
truck without trailer 5
t payload
6 – 11
2500 – 5000
100*
200
400
truck with trailer,
articulated vehicles
20 – 36
9000 – 16000
200*
400
800
rail tank wagon
from 62
26000
300*
600
1200
pressurised gas
cylinders
vfdb – TWB
distance for
risk zone prim. /
operational units with
sec.
heat protected
Prim./sec.
clothing
(m)
(m)
25
50
100
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Juli 2007
storage facilities and
inland vessels
to 110
46000
< 250
< 1000
> 1000
100000
430000 >
430000
> 300*
> 300*
500*
>600
>600
>800
1500
2000
2500
* if required reduce distance for positioning of water cannons and monitors.
Deviation from safety distances possible, if adequate shelter is provided.
In some cases pieces of gas cylinders were catapulted up to 800 m.
3. Literature References:
• Cimolino (Hrsg.): Einsatzleiterhandbuch Feuerwehr; Ecomed Verlag, Landsberg/Lech, 2000
• AIR LIQUIDE Deutschland GmbH: 1x1 der Gase; Karten Druck & Verlag GmbH, Mönchengladbach, 2005
• (Ehem.) Bayerisches Landesamt für Brand und Katastrophenschutz: Merkblatt Flüssiggas
• Braun, Johann: Flüssiggastankwagen verunglückt, in: Tagungsband Feuerwehr-Forum, MI, Hürth, 2000
• DVFG: Hinweise für den Umgang mit Flüssiggas, in: Flüssiggas, 5 + 6/2000, Strobel Verlag, Arnsberg, 2000
• Fa. AGA Hamburg: Informationsschrift "Gasflaschen im Brandfall"
• Gressmann, Hans-Joachim: Auch "kleine" BLEVEs können Probleme bereiten, in: Brandschutz, 6/2001, Verlag W.
Kohlhammer, Stuttgart, 2001
• HMDI: Einsatz- und Ausbildungsanleitung für die Feuerwehren des Landes Hessen; RL über Gefahren und
Gefahrenabwehr bei Lagerung und Transport von Flüssiggas, Wiesbaden, 2002
• Klingsohr, Kurt: Brennbare Flüssigkeiten und Gase, Rotes Heft Nr. 41, Verlag W. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart, 2002
• Unfallverhütungsvorschrift der Berufsgenossenschaften: Verwendung von Flüssiggas, BGV D34 vom Oktober 1993
in der Fassung vom 1.1.1997
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Merkblatt „Empfehlung für den Feuerwehreinsatz bei Gefahr durch Flüssiggas“
Juli 2007