Heat Ignites Propane Grill Tanks In Charlestown

[MNeagle]

With temperatures reaching 100 degrees in Boston, the last thing you would want to do is put on layers of heavy clothing and walk into a fire.

That, however, is exactly what more than 100 firefighters in Charlestown did Tuesday.

Battling the heat and humidity in addition to the flames, at least three firefighters were taken away from 38 High Street on stretchers. Others were doused with garden hoses after exiting the four-story building.

On top of the building, flames could be seen coming through the roof.

On the ground, a medical tent was set up to treat more than 125 firefighters called in to fight those flames. They were given water to drink, wet towels for their heads, and a hose to cool their body temperature.

Regardless of the outdoor temperature, each firefighter wears about 60 pounds of heavy clothing and gear.

According to investigators, the fire started on the roof, when the day's heat ignited open propane grill tanks. It is estimated the temperature on the roof had reached 125 degrees.

Extra fire companies were called in, so that crews could be rotated through the building.

All residents got out of the building safely.

http://wbztv.com/local/charlestown.fire.heat.2.1790170.html

[SLV^GLD]

Some anecdotes:

125F is child's play. Maybe the article meant to say 125C (257F)? I have taken infrared measurements for various reasons through the course of my employment and here are some interesting numbers:

Temperature reflected off a white hardhat on a 105F day = 143F
Temperature reflected off an EPDM roof (white) on a 101F day = 151F
Temperature of a black plastic housing that caused a radio transmitter to fail at the heat of the day = 156F
Temperature of a new black asphalt pavement on a 99F day = 165F
Inside of my car on a 103F day = 169F
Temperature reflected off the leading edge of metal deck roofing requiring us to cease work due to faces blistering = 183F

I don't see why 125F would cause a problem with some propane tanks, really.



Finally, good job firefighters!!

[MNeagle]

heat ignited open propane grill tanks

Maybe because they were open?? Who leaves tanks open??

[I am me, I am free]

heat ignited open propane grill tanks

Maybe because they were open?? Who leaves tanks open??


There is incomplete info in that article. I've got over two decades of experience with propane tanks in high temperature environments. There's a 'pop-off' valve on all portable propane tanks which opens when there is excessive pressure (e.g. from extremely high ambient temperatures) so as to prevent the tank from exploding like a bomb. When that pop-off valve opens there is simply a release of LPG gas - in order to have a subsequent explosion or fire due to this vented LPG gas the vented gas must be exposed to an ignition source.

I've had portable LPG tanks exposed to 150+ degrees F on too many occasions to count, never had a pop-off valve release yet.

BTW, the pop-off valve only works when the tank is upright, if liquid LPG instead of gas is up against it then it won't work as intended.