PPE no good in Garage!!

[ageniusforhire]

I totally agree on the fact that gas vapors will ignite with an IGNITION SOURCE. But,a cigarette is NOT an ignition source. A spark is an ignition source. It is much hotter than a lit cigarette, therefore will ignite the fumes. Everyone has seen the old spark ignitors for welding and propane soldering. we all know propane and mapp gas are flamable,as well as acetaline straight from the bottle. Well, try lighting one of those with a cigarette, and see what happens. NOTHING, except stinking up the place.Atmospheric conditions do not exist on this planet that will cause gasoline,propane,mapp gas or most other common vapors to ignite in the mere pressence of a lit cigarette.The only way is to add enough O2 to the mix to cause the glowing tobacco and wrapper to ignite. then you will light the gas. It is not hot enough to ignite the vapor on its own. The reason they tell everyone to leave the building from a leak is the murphy/darwin factor. Some idiot will turn off or on a light, light a cig,or create a static spark that ignites the fumes. In all fairness to idiots,anyone could create a static spark leaving a building in a hurry.Before someone chimes in and corrects me, i know you can keep from creating a static spark, but i wouldnt test that theory in an explosive environment.

[Philbert]

Kennygee,

Sorry about your Friend. Thank you for the painful reminder.

Originally Posted by ageniusforhire

A cigarette cannot ignite gasoline,fumes or liquid.

ageniusforhire - You are simply wrong.

I work as a safety professional, and know of several factories which were destroyed by cigarettes, sparks, static electricity, etc., igniting gasoline and other flammable vapors. Doesn't have to happen every time. Just has to happen once.

Philbert

[RCR 3 EVER]

Many years ago a college campus had gas lights on all the islands in all the parking lots. One time when I was a student many years ago I noticed a very strong odor of gas in a parking lot under construction where several lights were missing or bent over. I told security and a particularly bright guy came by to check out the situation and drove right by the leaking lines,some were bubbling in the puddles of water others were just leaking from lines. He then threw out his cigarette and a small flame spread along the ground.

I asked him why he did it after he called the gas co and fire dept and he said he wondered if it would burn or not. I guess there was enough leakage of vapors to cause it to burn since gas guy who came out said one damaged pole would not have ignited.

There sure are some stupid people testing some theories they have questions about.

[Plasmech]

I may be reading something wrong here but, I believe the OP said that the victim was hit in the head, not burned with gasoline.

[Philbert]

Originally Posted by Plasmech

I may be reading something wrong here but, I believe the OP said that the victim was hit in the head, not burned with gasoline.

You are right, Plasmech, that this thread got hijacked (like a lot of other AS posts - they tend to wander).

But out of respect for Kennygee's friend, and in his memory, many of us feel a responsibility to not let careless dismissals of basic safety practices stand unchallenged.

We can't stop people, and can't change some, but we can post a rational rebuttal for those whose minds are open to consider as they read these pages.

Philbert

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by ageniusforhire

wait a minuit, smoking while fueling a saw is NOT dangerous,unless your lighting it near the gas. Watch mythbusters,or try it yourself. A cigarette cannot ignite gasoline,fumes or liquid. Only in hollywood.Of course, the cherry could fall off and ignite some dry grass under your saw....then youd get a small fire, but a cig lighting gas, not possible. put some gas in a beancan, you can use it for an ashtray all day.Try it before you start arguing.

You should try explaining that to my friend who was pumping gas and some jerk smoker threw his butt out the window and caused over half of his body to burn. He's scarred for life head to toe.

[TheLumberJack]

Originally Posted by philbert

kennygee,

sorry about your friend. Thank you for the painful reminder.

+1

[EdenT]

I think I can clarify the gas explosion theories. A cigarette that is burning by itself does not have the required heat to cause vapours and gases to explode in most cases however this is dependant upon the volatility of the chemical in question.

A lit cigarette once drawn upon, or thrown through the air, or dropped, increases its temparature manyfold as it collides with more oxygen molecules and therefore burns hotter (like the oxy-acetaleyne when you turn on the oxy) and can ignite volatile chemicals.

DON'T SMOKE NEAR ANY CHEMICALS. I lost a relative due to burns after three months of the most horrific survival and frankly my life would be better if it never happened to anyone again.....especially a tree guy or gal.

[rarefish383]

Sorry for your loss. I didn't read all of the posts here, I just skipped to the end. As others said, when a friend or relative asks to borrow equipment I just say I'll do it. When they whine about taking my time, I say I'd rather you take my time than have me take your life. If you don't like my terms hire someone else. I know how banged up I've gotten with almost 40 years experience and 4th generation in the bus. I know my electrian brother in law is an accident in motion away from his wires. Friends and family take care of each other. I wouldn't lend anything to someone else anyways, Joe.