Fire and explosion hazards caused by oxygen cylinders

Abstract

Oxygen is an oxidising gas that is in frequent use in a compressed form. Its increased concentration causes the distension of flammability thresholds of gases and liquid vapours. Solids surrounded by oxygen burn at a higher intensity, generating greater amounts of heat and higher combustion temperatures. The hazard caused by combustion of a substance in an oxygen environment not only causes its higher intensity, but due to its impact substances which in normal use conditions would not be easy to ignite, such as plastics or metals, become easily flammable in an oxygen atmosphere. Oxygen may become absorbed (in other words be accumulated) in the structure of textile materials, of which working clothing is made. Due to the possibility of warming up oxygen cylinders, it is important to know the hazards it creates, e.g. in the case of a shot, accidental opening, water cooling, and dangerous phenomena due to the presence of other flammable gases such as acetylene. The training described in the article points to the important danger when heating cylinders and the danger resulting from attempts to eliminate a hazard, e.g., during rescue and firefighting.