I did not know that gasoline vapors are haevier than air.
I DO know that Liquified Petroleum Gas (L.P. Gas) is heavier than air,
and that the vapors , which are invisible, will "pool" and collect in a
'sea' of fumes, if allowed to do so, in an enclosed environment (like a
garage, or crawlspace, or, even, around the perimeter of a mobilehome,
which is 'encased' by a large snow-berm) until the sea is allowed to
dissipate or until the pooling-fumes collect-up, to where they might
reach a combustion source, such as a pilot light (on a water heater,
typically) , or, even a microscopically arcing electrical fixture.
The extent of the fireball, and/or the explosion depends on the quantity
of fuel/air mixture
involved.
If you can imagine THIS: I had a claim, in Mammoth Lakes, where an
unoccupied house, which had a leaking LP Gas fixture, had the gas fill
up a lower portion of the garage, til the gas reached an
intermediate-level water heater pilot light, which caused the entire
house to explode, right in front of a tourist, who was bending-over, to
photograph a nearby mountain stream!
Neil Vedder
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--- Begin Message ---
- From: Roy Asbjornsen <DesotoFiredome55@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2007 22:47:18 EST
In a message dated 3/3/2007 5:50:07 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
crc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Good
story Ted but I'm not buying it!
I'm with you
It is a dangers practice
though, mainly because of the chance of getting some on you in the
process. Gasoline vapor is a lot heavier then air and that is why, by code,
electrical outlets in garages and other enclosed structures, where
vehicles are parked, have to be installed 18 inches above the floor, in
case of fuel leaks. The chances of vapors, of a exploitable mix
with air, above 18'', is verey unlikely, and in the open area, that height goes
down considerably.
I have started a lot of fires on my
ranch using gas. I found out that it is best to stand on the up hill side when
doing so. Standing on the down hill side puts one in the path of the vapor's
travel. I don't think it has much chance of setting one on fire, but it
does do a little singing. Live and learn
Now for the "Not being the brightest light on the Christmas
tree"
Guy.... It would be extremely hard for someone to convince me, that he didn't
spill some gas on him and that is the reason he went up in flames.
Like electricity, If you have a
good degree of knowledge of the properties of what you are dealing with... most
the dangers can be eliminated.
<>Roy<>
Roy Asbjornsen (retired in one piece
electrician)
Puyallup, Washington
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