Natural Gas Fire Safety

INGREDIANTS OF FIRE

The best approach to fire safety is to not have a fire in the first place… but how? The answer is: remove an ingredient. OXYGEN Uncontrollable FUEL Ensure utilities are marked, current and accurate. Double check marks if suspicious. Hand-dig around utilities. HEAT No smoking 20’ from blowing gas. Shut-off nearby vehicles/equipment. Consider blocking traffic when large amount of gas. Use grounding rod & static wrap. Use brass tools. FIRE PREVENTION

CLASSES OF FIRES There are 4 main classes of fires. Natural gas fires are classified as “Class B” fires. Wood, Paper, Cloth, Etc. Liquids & Gasses ElectricalMetals

SERIOUSNESS OF GAS FIRES Natural gas fires are LARGE, loud, hot and don’t care about you. RESPECT NATURAL GAS & BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST!!!

SERIOUSNESS OF GAS FIRES Anyone in a bell-hole can be engulfed in flames. Protective clothing only lasts 3-4 seconds. IF IN A FIRE… GET OUT IMMEDIATELY & ROLL ON THE GROUND!!!

CONDITIONS FOR IGNITION The conditions must be “just right” in order for a natural gas fire to occur. Too much oxygen will make the concentration too lean and too much gas will make the concentration too rich to ignite. Nat. Gas 0% 100% Oxygen 0% 100% Lean 4% Lean TOO LEAN TOO RICH BOOM! 15%

WORKING AROUND BLOWING GAS If an employee must work around blowing gas, additional precautions MUST be taken!

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Protective equipment must be worn by all employees who work around blowing gas, as well as those that serve as a “fire watch”. Fire Suit Nomex Hood Hot Mill Gloves Goggles

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Not only must protective equipment be worn, but it must be worn correctly in order to offer full protection! FIRE SUITS Clean with no rips/tears Velcro cuffs adjusted tight Over top of boots and gloves HOT MILL GLOVES Cuffs under sleeves NOMEX HOODS Worn so only eyes exposed GOGGLES Over top of hood REMEMBER CHARLIE? He suffered severe burns in 1980 because he did was not wearing his PPE correctly!

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Approved ventilation or supplied air respirators must be used whenever there is a potential for an oxygen deficient atmosphere. VentilationSupplied Air Respirator w/Filter Panel

“FIRE WATCH” REQUIREMENTS Whenever an employee is forced to work around blowing gas, an employee who has completed fire extinguisher training must serve as a “fire watch”. Their responsibilities include: Stand upwind and 15 feet from work area. Have current/charged 20-pound extinguisher by side. Do nothing that distracts attention from task (phone calls, etc.). If ignition occurs, extinguishing employees is first priority. If flames spread beyond control or one extinguisher cannot extinguish the fire… stop and call 911.

EXTINGUISHING FIRES the pin A im at base of fire Start 15 feet upwind from the fire area. Use the “PASS” method.