LPG Fires: Sometimes it’s about perspective

LPG

HMN-Recently, at an industrial fire training, I got some great helmet cam footage of some very experienced firefighters honing in on new skills, and brushing up on old ones.  I was able to capture a great shot that illustrates the effect of nozzle patterns, and draft, on a LPG fire.

In the following photo, take note of the size of the cone and the fire being drawn into the center.  We always like to harp on moving a hose line in unison as hose handling training before drills like this, but we also need to be aware of the nozzle patterns and their potential impact on fire, or vapor streams.

The photo has a great depiction of the wide pattern beginning to draft vapors toward the nozzle.
The guys in the photo did an amazing job and this is just a small snippet in time of their advancing and successful, safe isolation of this prop.

Great Job!

About The Author

Ryan Henry

Ryan Henry currently serves as the training officer for two volunteer fire departments in Calcasieu Parish Louisiana. Ryan also works in operations at a major gulf coast oil refinery, and serves as an ERT firefighter, as well as their Hazardous Material Response Team Training Coordinator. Ryan holds an AAS degree in Process Plant Technology and currently serves as a LSU/FETI Lead Evaluator for Louisiana.