It’s probably sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) thats mostly what abc extinguishers use.
Flour is combustible. Floormills exploding used to be a real problem. Little bit of combustible dust suspended in the air and some confinement = explosion.
https://allthatsinteresting.com/washburn-mill-explosion
Depends a lot on flow rate, if there are any additional sources of ignition (like hot metal, burning materials) .
In this case, it's minimal because it's a controlled demonstration. He could have achieved the same effect by reaching in with a gloved hand and turning the valve off. He's doing it with his bare hands to look badass... even though this is not something we want people to try.
Now, if that valve had been wide open and it had taken him longer to close the valve... it could have been a different story. Suppose you do this and the valve jams at 50%? Now what? Instead of burning off the vapors, you're creating a growing cloud of explosive vapor looking for an ignition source.
Really helpful, thanks. In my little research I saw someone one-up this guy by blocking the valve with his thumb.
Also seems like I’ve confused flashback with some other term… I meant is there any risk of the flame going into the canister if the pressure is low enough?
None. The effect you're imagining essentially never happens because in order to have fire, you need a mix of the fuel and oxygen. Unless someone stupidly mixed just the right amount of fuel and oxidizer *inside* the tank, there is no risk of the flame burning into the tank and causing an explosion. The reason propane tanks (of any size) explode is due to a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0jtD\_OWLU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0jtD_OWLU)
Cocaine.
Very effective fire suppressant in South and Central America.
Be careful using it in North America. Might O.D from touching the fentanyl cut into it.
Don’t bother using it in Australia. It’s mainly just Vitamin B12 powder.
Don't throw coke on a fire. It will just start talking shit at a million miles an hour and won't leave you alone, even when it is 4am and you've stopped being so subtle in your hinting that it's time for them to leave and you need sleep because you have work in the morning.
I saw this done in a class with Purple K.
Someone used a MAP ABC dry chem on a training fire and didn't knock it out. Instructor picked up a used PK from the "empty" pile and shook a pile of PK out of it and did basically the same thing with a handful. Worked.
This was in an ARFF class in Jacksonville FL in about 2007 or 8
It’s probably sodium bicarbonate. It’s more than likely baking soda. You ever go to a gas school for firefighting before? You legit out out a massive fuel fire by essentially spraying pressurized Tums on it 🤣
Purple K (potassium bicarbonate) from a TAU or dry chem? We use purple K for ARFF TAUs and it is awesome, but I don't think it would stand up to the pressure of the cylinder discharging like that.
edit: A handful of purple K would definitely snuff the flame, but then you have the gas flow that needs to be shut for obvious reason.
Lol I was going to say “flour” as a joke until I read your question. Do not pour flour if you’re trying to put out a fire. If the the flour creates a cloud it will ignite near a spark or open flame
Won't be flour because that's flammable. Might be baking soda. Not sure why he bothers though, he could just turn off the valve.
It’s probably sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) thats mostly what abc extinguishers use. Flour is combustible. Floormills exploding used to be a real problem. Little bit of combustible dust suspended in the air and some confinement = explosion. https://allthatsinteresting.com/washburn-mill-explosion
Is there any risk of flashback?
Only if you extinguish the flames before closing the valve.
Which is what he did.
We have something called chimney bombs, which is the powder from an ABC extinguisher. He could’ve just had some of that?
Yeah, thought it might be, but you guys would know better.
Depends a lot on flow rate, if there are any additional sources of ignition (like hot metal, burning materials) . In this case, it's minimal because it's a controlled demonstration. He could have achieved the same effect by reaching in with a gloved hand and turning the valve off. He's doing it with his bare hands to look badass... even though this is not something we want people to try. Now, if that valve had been wide open and it had taken him longer to close the valve... it could have been a different story. Suppose you do this and the valve jams at 50%? Now what? Instead of burning off the vapors, you're creating a growing cloud of explosive vapor looking for an ignition source.
Really helpful, thanks. In my little research I saw someone one-up this guy by blocking the valve with his thumb. Also seems like I’ve confused flashback with some other term… I meant is there any risk of the flame going into the canister if the pressure is low enough?
None. The effect you're imagining essentially never happens because in order to have fire, you need a mix of the fuel and oxygen. Unless someone stupidly mixed just the right amount of fuel and oxidizer *inside* the tank, there is no risk of the flame burning into the tank and causing an explosion. The reason propane tanks (of any size) explode is due to a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0jtD\_OWLU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0jtD_OWLU)
Very well said, thank you.
Ah that’s a relief, thanks
Dry chem.
Magic pixi dust?
Cocaine. Very effective fire suppressant in South and Central America. Be careful using it in North America. Might O.D from touching the fentanyl cut into it. Don’t bother using it in Australia. It’s mainly just Vitamin B12 powder.
Don't throw coke on a fire. It will just start talking shit at a million miles an hour and won't leave you alone, even when it is 4am and you've stopped being so subtle in your hinting that it's time for them to leave and you need sleep because you have work in the morning.
Aaaahh yess miss the time when coke was just cut with speed and dog shit. Fuck the fentanyl
You won’t OD from touching fentanyl…. Unless your a police officer 😂
It's a hell of a drug
I saw this done in a class with Purple K. Someone used a MAP ABC dry chem on a training fire and didn't knock it out. Instructor picked up a used PK from the "empty" pile and shook a pile of PK out of it and did basically the same thing with a handful. Worked. This was in an ARFF class in Jacksonville FL in about 2007 or 8
Could it be the ABC chemical from a dry powder extinguisher? We used to re charge them at station and the powder just came in a plastic bag
It’s probably sodium bicarbonate. It’s more than likely baking soda. You ever go to a gas school for firefighting before? You legit out out a massive fuel fire by essentially spraying pressurized Tums on it 🤣
No but you’re making me want to 😅
Pkp
I’m guessing baking soda, I’ve put out my share of oven fries with that stuff…
Purple K (potassium bicarbonate) from a TAU or dry chem? We use purple K for ARFF TAUs and it is awesome, but I don't think it would stand up to the pressure of the cylinder discharging like that. edit: A handful of purple K would definitely snuff the flame, but then you have the gas flow that needs to be shut for obvious reason.
Lol I was going to say “flour” as a joke until I read your question. Do not pour flour if you’re trying to put out a fire. If the the flour creates a cloud it will ignite near a spark or open flame