Handbooks and Publications - Fire Prevention | Page 24

Fire Prevention Tips
Department. Even using the phone in or near the area of the suspected leak could
cause a spark that would ignite the leaking gas.
Liquidfied gas is commonly called “bottled gas” Bottled gas is most commonly used
by people in communities who live too far from the city gas mains. The danger of
bottled gas are much the same as for natural gas. The following precautions are
recommended for using bottled gas.
1. When using bottled gas for stoves and furnaces, make sure the fuel
tank is located outside of the house.
2. The cylinder should be refilled as needed by a qualified serviceperson
and should be recovered by a metal hood for additional protection.
3. As with natural gas. If there is a leak with bottled gas, evacuate the
house and call the fire department and gas company. You should also
turn off the valve of the tank outside the house.

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
These liquids include gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, some paints and thinners,
plus alcohol-based products. We use many of them each day without a thought
about the fire hazard. And that’s the problem! A moment’s thought should remind
us that the strong smell of most of these liquids is proof that they produce invisible
vapours.
It’s actually these vapours that can catch on fire, sometimes from a distant or outof-sight spark or flame. When this happens, the flames often flash back to the
liquid itself, setting it on fire. If vapours from some of these volatile liquids become
concentrated in a confined space, a violent explosion can occur!
Gasoline -The fuel we use daily in our vehicles is the biggest culprit in fire injuries
involving flammable liquids. It is extremely hazardous when used in the home
environment. It gives off vapours which are heavier than air, which means they can
flow along the floor or even down stairs. If they come into contact with an ignition
source, such as a water heater pilot or even a spark in a refrigerator motor, a flash
of flame can result. Use the proper storage container. Never keep gasoline
(especially) in glass bottles, plastic jugs or other unsuitable containers. You may
want to consider a container with certain safety features such as a pressure release
valve and/or a flame arrester. These containers cost more than ordinary cans, but
the added safety they provide is worth the expense.
Other substances which produce flammable vapours in 6