Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:51:16 -0500
Reply-To:     Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: another youtube video of a vanagon westy on fire
In-Reply-To:  <aeea9b481001150606p212d0f57w8376240725aae4a4@mail.gmail.co m>
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I work at a college with Fire and EMT training.  the guy in charge of
those programs has been in the business a long time and seen all
kinds of hairy stuff.  I often quiz him on safety and especially
vanagon propane system safety questions.  I had told him tales of the
Vanagons on fire and the propane tank venting, so he was interested
to see that video as well.  He said, "yep, it was doing what is was
supposed to do."  He also told me once there is an alternative
definition of the acronym BLEVE used in his business:  Big Loud
Explosion Very Exciting.  Another interesting thing about the
pressure relief valve on gas tanks he has told me.  If they encounter
a tank on fire and venting, they do not want to put out the fire that
is the venting gas burning.  They want to cool the tank so that it
stops venting.  If they put out all the fire while the tank is still
venting they have a bigger problem with all the gas building up.

I was kind of impressed in that video that with all that fire and
propane venting under the van that the gasoline tank held up.  Surely
the hoses going into and out of the tank would have burned off?

Edward