I have investigated a couple of hazardous goods fires and have observed TV
images of other fires which confirm:
1. Temperatures are above the melting point of Aluminium sheet used to
make fuel tanks 660 degrees C
2. Below the melting point of alloy wheels
3. High enough to cause loaded sheet steel to buckle
4. Lower than the melting point of steel 1370 degrees C
Regards
John Lambert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Nordengen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 3:35 PM
Subject: Fire temperatures in road transport accidents
> A colleague of mine, Cairns Bain, is doing some research on the above.
> If you have any information that could be of assistance, please reply to
> me or directly to him. His E-mail address and further details of the
> query are given below.
>
> Thanks
> Paul Nordengen
> CSIR Transportek
> South Africa
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> Hi Paul
>
> I wonder if you could assist me in some data on fires and temperatures
> that
> may occur in a road transport accident. We are involved in risk
> studies
> associated with transport of hazardous goods.
>
> What temperatures can occur in a road transport fire for the following
> cases:
>
> 1 average type fire - petrol
> - diesel
> - fuels as above together with tyre rubber;
>
> 2 as above but with fresh or strong wind causing (localized?)
> higher
> temperatures;
>
> 3 any risk of a magnesium alloy wheel starting to burn? Are
> there any
> specialist high % magnesium alloy wheels which could present a higher
> risk? Associated temperatures.
>
> Any data sources and references will be most welcome. Furthermore any
> local
> or international statistics on incidence of severe transport fires will
> be
> appreciated.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Cairns A R Bain
>
> NECSA
> Phone +27 12 305 3365
> Fax +27 12 305 3484
> e-mail [log in to unmask]
>
>
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