Firefighter 1C Wildland Practice Exam

Which product container is most likely to BLEVE?

1. Refrigerated rail road car

2. Open top hopper

3. 5 gallon liquid propane tank

4. Non pressurized tank container

The correct answer is: 5 gallon liquid propane tank

A Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) is a type of explosion that occurs when a pressurized liquid in a container is heated, leading to an increase in pressure until the container fails violently. Understanding the characteristics of different product containers helps identify which one is more likely to experience this type of failure. In this context, the five-gallon liquid propane tank is most susceptible to a BLEVE. These tanks are designed to hold the propane in a liquid state under pressure. If exposed to heat, such as from a fire, the propane inside will vaporize and expand, increasing internal pressure. If this pressure exceeds the tank's design limits, the tank can rupture explosively, resulting in a BLEVE. Other container types are less likely to experience a BLEVE under similar conditions. For example, refrigerated railroad cars usually maintain lower temperatures that help prevent the kind of rapid pressure buildup associated with BLEVE incidents. Open top hoppers and non-pressurized tank containers do not store liquids under pressure, thus eliminating the risk of an explosive failure tied to boiling liquid expansion. Understanding these dynamics is essential for wildfire responders as they prepare for potential hazards during their operations.