Two trash pumps were being used to fill water tenders and Fire Engines on the Klondike West Fire. They were filling out of the Rogue River at Foster's Bar just east of Agness, OR. The trash pumps use straight gas and were being filled by 5 gallon Jerry Cans (Manufacture Wavian NATO Part# JC0020RVS). The gas cans were attached to the trash pump by a chain with lock so the cans would not walk off. The pumps and gas cans were sitting out in the hot sun. The cans were close to the pumps which were quite hot.
A taskforce leader for the water tenders approached me at approx. 16:00. He let me know that two of his tender operators had gas cans geyser covering them from head to toe with gas; enough that they needed to return to camp to shower. The tender drivers were very upset. The geysering took place when the tender driver opened the 5 gallon can to install the separate nozzle. The can does not release built up pressure. When the pin in the lid is pulled and the cap released the pressure blows open the cap and sprays a significant amount of gas forward of the can. The separate nozzle has a built in pressure release valve and eliminates the problem when it is installed. The issue occurs when the cover is opened for installation of the nozzle. The fire has approximately 30 of these cans on the fire line. The concern is having the gas spray on the fire fighter with the potential to ignite and cause severe burn injuries. |