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Risk Based Response to Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles- (CNG)

Thursday, June 6, 2024
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: johnson B
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders contain over 20 times the pressure of propane cylinders and have critically different construction features. Firefighters using Propane tactics for CNG truck fires are causing the CNG cylinders to fail and torpedo over a quarter mile away from the incident sending fire and shrapnel into nearby homes and businesses. These vehicles are very common and present multiple hazards that can also rapidly and unexpectedly engulf fighters and civilians in a cloud of highly pressured flame. The student will learn what to do when standing back is not an option and how to safely depressurize cylinders damaged by fire and collisions rendering them safe during overhaul, extrication or for post incident towing on public streets and roadways. In addition the class will cover how to overcome broken or malfunctioning valves during the depressurization process for both vehicles and abandoned CNG Cylinders. This is an advanced class and is geared toward those who have experience and an understanding of compressed and liquefied gas container incidents and presents lessons learned by responders and Haz Mat teams during real world incidents.

Learning Objectives:

  • The student will gain an understanding of the hazards associated the enormous amount of pressure that is contained in the high volume CNG fuel cylinders mounted on these vehicles along with an appreciation for the magnitude of the incident they create when the cylinders fail or leak.
  • The student will learn how to avoid common responder mistakes that cause detonation of the ultra high pressure fuel cylinders used on commercial vehicles powered by compressed natural gas
  • The student will learn how identify and safely depressurize cylinders damaged by fire and collisions in order to prevent a catastrophic cylinder failure during overhaul, vehicle extrication, or post incident vehicle removal and how to overcome broken or malfunctioning valves during the depressurization process.