On the evening of July 2, an oil tanker explosion occurred in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 223 villagers nearby and injuring more than 110 people. Some officials said that many of them were injured or killed while scrambling for the leaked oil. It can be seen that it is very important to improve the understanding of oil tankers and use them correctly. The following are the causes of fire and explosion of oil tankers and emergency rescue measures for learning:
First, the causes of fire and explosion of oil tankers:
(1) A large amount of static electricity accumulated in the tanker was not discharged, causing the tanker mouth to catch fire during metering operations;
(2) The oil unloading hose is insulated, and the static separation potential difference discharge generated when the oil unloading hose is removed causes the oil unloading port to catch fire;
(3) The oil unloading is not completely sealed, and a large amount of oil vapor accumulates on site. Starting the vehicle or striking iron objects generates sparks, causing oil vapor explosion or fire.
(4) Explosion or fire caused by lightning strikes or open flames, heating boiler exhaust smoke and other external fire sources during oil unloading operations.
Second, in order to reduce the occurrence of tanker loading and unloading accidents, the following points must be remembered
1. Use tools that do not produce sparks.
2. Operations are prohibited during storms and thunderstorms.
3. Operators should wear clothes and shoes that can remove static electricity.
4. Pay attention to observation to prevent oil spills.
5. When an oil tanker is found to be overflowing or leaking, all oil loading operations at the relevant oil loading point and adjacent oil loading positions should be stopped immediately. All valves that are open during oil unloading or lower oil loading should be closed. Only key personnel should remain on the oil loading platform. The vehicle starter must not be operated before the spilled oil is cleared. Oil loading must not be resumed before the person in charge of oil loading declares the area safe.
6. If a fire occurs during oil loading and unloading, all operations should be stopped immediately and unaffected vehicles should be driven away immediately. Close the oil tank valve to cut off the oil source and immediately implement fire extinguishing operations.
7. The ignition switch of the tanker truck is not allowed to be turned on for a long time after it stops. There was once a car that caught fire in the garage. After investigation, it turned out that the ignition switch was still on after the last trip. If it is turned on for a long time, it will not only cause the battery to discharge for a long time, but also cause the risk of fire.
8. It is not allowed to use open flames to observe the battery liquid level at night. When driving, the battery is in an overcharged state, and excessive hydrogen accumulated in the shell will cause explosion when it encounters open flames. Therefore, the small holes on the battery cover must be kept unobstructed at ordinary times.
9. It is not allowed to implement "self-flowing fuel supply" for a long time. Sometimes due to damage to the gasoline pump or the oil pipeline joint, it is impossible to rely on the gasoline pump to supply fuel to the carburetor normally, and it is temporarily impossible to repair it. Emergency treatment can only be taken, and self-flowing fuel supply can be implemented to drive the car back to the parking lot or to the repair shop. At present, in order to prevent fire, this method is not allowed in the road traffic management regulations formulated by the state.
Third, emergency rescue measures:
(1) Stop unloading oil, stop business, cut off all power supplies, extinguish the boiler fire source, and close the unloading valve (at the same time, start the oil tanker fire extinguishing procedure in the gas station fire extinguishing plan). Quickly organize the staff in the station to use asbestos blankets, wet cotton clothes, wet sacks, etc. to cover the burning part of the tank mouth at the first time and on the first scene. Try to suffocate the fire. When the fire is not extinguished, use a fire extinguisher to cover the burning part to extinguish the fire. At the same time, the tanker driver should drive the tanker away from the scene quickly (drive the car away from the oil storage area at the city gas station, and drive the car to a safer place away from the town at the suburban station), and then put out the fire.
(2) If the unloading pipe mouth or unloading hose is on fire, use asbestos blankets or wet clothes, wet blankets to close the tanker tank outlet valve. Use a portable dry powder fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire on the left and right of the burning part.
(3) If there is an explosion of oil vapor on site or an explosion caused by external fire sources such as lightning strikes or open flames during oil unloading, the unloading of oil should be stopped immediately, the valves should be closed, the power should be cut off, and the business should be suspended. At the same time, the burning tank truck or oil storage tank should be quickly extinguished with a cart fire extinguisher, fire sand, etc.; the tank truck driver should quickly drive the burning tank truck away from the oil storage tank area and continue rescue work.