LPG stored at the wildland–urban interface: recent events and the effects of jet fires and BLEVE.

Background: Jet fires and boiling liquid expanding vapour explosions (BLEVEs) are potential events when a vessel containing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is exposed to fire. Events involving domestic LPG tanks have occurred at wildland–urban interface areas in Portugal, the USA, Spain and Greece. Aims: Evaluation of the pressure relief device (PRD), the type of cylinder and the effects of jet fires and BLEVEs. Methods: LPG cylinders manufactured with steel and composite materials were exposed to fire. Hydrostatic tests were carried out to compare the burst pressure without fire influence. Fourteen accidents that occurred during wildfires are described. Key results: The presence of a PRD and the right choice of type of cylinder as well as cylinder location may avert major accidents. The jet fires and fireball radiation are also described, as well as the maximum distance reached by cylinder fragments. Conclusions: The tests showed that the burst pressure in the test of a cylinder without PRD under fire was significantly lower when compared with the hydrostatic tests. Implications: Lastly, recommendations to avoid accidents are made. In the present experimental study, 14 accidents related to LPG stored at the wildland–urban interface that occurred during wildfires are described. Tests with LPG cylinders exposed to fire using forest fuels were done to evaluate the safety devices and effects of explosions and jet fire. (This paper is part of a Special Issue that includes papers on research presented at the IX International Conference on Forest Fire Research, Coimbra, Portugal, November 2022.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]