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Propane Autogas

A Safe, Economic, and Environmentally Friendly Option for Fleet Vehicles

Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know

Stuart Flatow, PERC

Paula Cowart, Oklahoma Oklahoma LPGasMarketing & Safety Commission

• Approximately 90

percent of propane

consumed in the U.S. is

produced domestically

• An additional 7 percent

is produced in Canada

Domestically Produced

Domestically Produced

Propane Distribution Network

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History of propane autogas

~1910-Propane

discovered-Dr. Walter Snelling

1913 First Propane vehicle in

USA

2006-Liquid Propane Injection system in US

•CleanFuel USA unveils GM 8.1

•GMC 4500-8500

•Blue Bird Propane Vision

2007-Roush

introduces LPI into F-

150

Today:

• Roush CleanTech

• CleanFuel USA

• Blue Bird

• Collins

• Alliance AutoGas

Propane Autogas as an Alternative Motor Fuel

~270,000 propane vehicles in US

~15M propane vehicles worldwide

Referred to as “Autogas”

Move in US to use propane autogas for propane used in on-road applications.

Types of Autogas Vehicles and Users

School Districts

Government Entities

Public Sector Fleets

FTA and Para Transit Vans

Landscape Contractors

Delivery CompaniesHotel and Airport

Shuttle Buses

Taxis

Private Sector Fleets

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Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know

• Propane properties

• Vehicle identification

• Vehicle components– Fuel lines, tanks, mounting systems and brackets

• Approaching and assessing an incident– Risk assessment, types of leaks, extrication

Propane Properties

• Stored and transported as a liquid (under pressure) and

can vaporize under the proper conditions

• Vaporizes at approximately -44 degrees Fahrenheit

• One cubic foot of propane will boil off (expand) into 270

feet of vapor

• If liquid propane contacts skin, immediate frostbite results

Propane Properties

• Tasteless, colorless, and naturally odorless

• Propane manufacturers add odorant (ethyl mercaptan)

• Capable of being either liquid or gas; in ambient

conditions, it is a gas

• Flammability range of 2.2 percent to 9.6 percent

• Approximate ignition temperature of 920 degrees

Fahrenheit

• Specific gravity: 1.5

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Flammability Range

Among alternative fuels,

propane has the narrowest

flammability range

Safety Advantages of Propane Autogas

It May Not be Propane

Chattanooga school bus fire started in left front wheel area

Vehicle Identification

• Propane identification decals are mounted on the lower

right rear of the vehicle (above the bumper)

• Decal is black, diamond shaped with a luminous light

silver or white border, and with the word “PROPANE”

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Vehicle Components

• Fuel tank

• Fuel tank mounting and

bracket system

• Fuel system and line

• Pressure relief valve

Fuel Tanks – Potential for BLEVE

• Propane liquid expands 1.5 times for every 10 degree

rise in temperature in a pressurized tank or vessel

• Potential for BLEVE to occur if external fire causes

extreme heat and pressure build-up

• Built-in safeguards exist to reduce risk of BLEVE

– Pressure relief valves

– Tanks manufactured to withstand high pressure

• Cooling tank with water helps to reduce internal

temperature and pressure build-up

Truck Hits Island Explorer Bus….

Route 3 in Trenton was shut down Wednesday afternoon, June 13, 2012, while firefighters tried to make sure an Island Explorer bus didn't explode after it was struck by a small pickup truck. Island Explorer buses are powered by propane gas, and this one was struck where its tank is located.Bangor Daily News

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Fuel Tank Durability

“Propane tanks are more durable than gasoline or

diesel tanks. If in the rare instance a tank were to

get punctured as the result of an accident, it doesn’t

mean that the vehicle would explode like you might

see in a Hollywood movie.”

James Mays, Jr., Vice President and Interior Firefighter

Sheridan Fire Department, New York

Myths Abound

James Bond Shoots Propane Tank…Explodes!!!

Myth Busted!!!

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Fuel Tanks

• Built in several shapes and sizes

• Installed in a variety of locations (depending on the type of vehicle)

• Vehicles may have more than one tank

• Tanks rated for 312 psig

• Pressure-relief valves vent to outside of vehicle

• 20 times more puncture-resistant than a gas tank

• Equipped with manual shutoff, excess flow, and automatic closure features

Fuel Tanks

• The location of manual

shutoff valves are

typically marked on

many vehicles

Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems

• Exterior mount on DRW cabin chassis

Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech

Enlarged View

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Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems

• Exterior mount on pickup truck bed

Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech

Enlarged View

Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems

• Interior mount in van

Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech

Enlarged View

Safe

• Crash Test

– 4,000 lbs @ 40 MPH

– Angled Side and Rear

Impact

– 220 PSI Tank Pressure

– CMVSS 301.1 Protocol

– No Leakage or No

Pressure

– Drop in 30 Minute Test

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Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems

• Larger vehicles and

buses may have

bracket systems

– Buses utilize a bracket

system that provides

added protection

– Tanks located between

bus frame rails

Fuel Systems and Lines

• Two types of fuel systems

1. Vapor fuel injection system

• Stored in tank in liquid form at low pressure

• Passes through fuel line to engine, converted to

vapor by a regulator

• Vapor mixes with air and enters combustion chamber

• Similar to a traditional vehicle carburetor system

Fuel Systems and Lines

2. Liquid fuel injection system

• New and popular technology

• Liquid propane is directly

injected into the combustion

chamber

• Improves engine durability

and power outputImage courtesy of Roush CleanTech

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Fuel Systems and Lines

• Propane autogas fuel lines are typically routed through

the vehicle in the same location as the original factory

fuel lines

• Fuel lines are typically made of stainless steel to

handle the varying temperatures and pressures of

liquid propane

• An automatic shutoff valve prevents the flow of fuel

to the engine when it is not running, even if the ignition

switch is in the “on” position

Vehicle Components

Pressure Relief Valve:

• Equipped on every LPG fuel tank

• Internal spring type valve

• Opens automatically to vent vapor if internal tank pressure exceeds the relief valve start-to-discharge pressure setting

• Designed so spring and valve seat portion are inside the tank:

– Helps to protect the tank

– Reduces chance of fuel loss in case outer part of valve is sheared off in an accident

Pressure relief valve.

Source: Engineered Controls International Inc.

Propane Bus Catches Fire in Ellsworth, ME.

Three of the propane tanks on the burning vehicle were venting as designed when firefighters

arrived, spraying jets of burning propane from the bottom of the bus toward the pavement.

There were explosions from the fire, but not because tanks were rupturing, as firefighters had at

first feared. The loud booms coming from the bus were from tires that were exploding from the

heat.

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LPG INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT STATIONS,

AND HANDLING

Fueling Infrastructure Options

Permanent & Mobile Infrastructure

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Breakaway fueling hose

FIRST RESPONDER PROCEDURES

Equipment and Gear

Structural Firefighters Protective Clothing

Firefighters responding to gaseous fuels

incidents must wear the following SFPC:

• SCBA meeting NFPA 1981 requirements

• Protective ensemble meeting the

applicable NFPA 1971 requirements

– Turnout pants and coat

– Flame retardant hood

– Boots

– Helmet

– Face shield or goggles

– Fire resistant or extreme low

temperature gloves (LNG)Structural firefighters protective clothing.

Source: DOE

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Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle

Incident

“It’s difficult to change a perception without first

understanding the facts. Through public education

and quality training, emergency responders and

citizens in our communities can see the benefits of

propane autogas and understand that it is safe.”

Mark Holloway, Volunteer Fire Chief

West I-10 Fire Department, Texas

Approaching an Incident

Approaching and Assessing

a Vehicle Incident

• Teamwork and communication are essential

for an effective operation

• Risk assessment is a critical first step

– Treat each incident and situation as unique

• Park apparatus approximately 100 feet away

• Approach vehicle from upwind and uphill

• Determine if the vehicle is fueled with propane

– Check right rear of vehicle for diamond label

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Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident

• Determine if there is a propane leak

– Use gas indicators or detectors if they are available

– Do you smell or hear gas?

– Where is the leak located?

– Liquid or vapor?

• Isolate fuel from potential ignition sources

• Never walk through a propane vapor cloud

Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident

• If the vehicle is on fire, identify the source and area of

concentration

– Is it electrical or engine fire? Does it involve propane?

• If safe to do so, allow fire to burn itself out while

protecting exposures

• When necessary, use water to extinguish fire

– Approach vehicle with an extended and charged hose

– Cool down the tank as soon as possible

– Direct water to the top of tanks

Securing Gaseous Fuel Vehicles

When securing an gaseous fuel vehicle that has been

involved in an incident:

• Follow standard operating procedures

• Immobilize, stabilize, and disable

• If on fire or a leak is detected, DO NOT approach the

vehicle

• Secure the scene with nonsparking markers or cones

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Securing Gaseous Fuel Vehicles

• When approaching a LNG, CNG, or LPG vehicle:

– Approach at a 45°angle when possible

– Helps avoid direct exposure in the case of a pressure relief device (PRD) release

• Gas that escapes from a PRD vent is under high pressure and may ignite

Approach vehicle at 45 degree angle

Source: NAFTC

General Firefighting Measures

To extinguish a propane fire, first responders should:

• For small fires use dry chemical or carbon dioxide

• For large fires use water spray or fog

• Move containers from fire area if possible

• Ensure that the fire has been successfully suppressed

– Remember that propane fires burn at very high temperatures

and can smolder

– These types of fires may continue to burn after it appears the fire

has been successfully suppressed

– Keep in mind if the flame is extinguished without stopping the

fuel flow, the air / fuel mixture may reignite

General Firefighting Measures

Application of foam to a tanker truck fire. Source: DOE

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Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident

• How much time do you

have to extricate

passengers?

– Each situation is unique

• Use of “Jaws of Life” and

other cutting tools

– Know the location of

vehicle components

• Tanks

• Fuel lines

• Manual shutoff valves

Extrication

• Before attempting a rescue:

– Make sure the vehicle is not leaking fuel

– Determine if dangerous vapors could ignite

• If passenger extrication is necessary, follow standard operating procedures

• Take care to consider possible leakage and/or vapors

• Also consider fuel system components Hydraulic extrication tools.

Source: Hurst Jaws of Life

Extrication

Cutaway of LPG vehicle. Source: DOE

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Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident

• Summary

– Teamwork and communication is critical at the scene

of the incident

– Each situation is unique

– Important to understand the basic principles and

properties of propane

– Proper training will help emergency responders

effectively handle propane autogas vehicle incidents