Diesel and Explosions

[brizospark]

Was working in a factory today where they have diesel pumps encased in plastic housing. About 200mm from the diesel pumps is the socket that the pumps plug into. Could not believe what I saw, Less than 1 foot away from these diesel pumps and whoever has installed has used an exterior socket (IP65 garden type) wired in flex with standard plastic compression glands.

Shouldn't this all be installed in explosion proof gear, when I opened the door to the plastic housing the fumes were absolutely belting out

 

[netblindpaul]

Is diesel fume flammable, or explosive, it is up to your customer to zone atmospheres under DSEAR, to get them to decide if it is acceptable.
IF you start making these sorts of decisions then you had better be insured for it!

 

[brizospark]

thats what im wondering if diesel is classed as explosive, it certainly is flammable i can tell you that

 

[brizospark]

Photo

 

[netblindpaul]

OK, get your client to zone it, and if they feel it comes under DSEAR, then ensure that you are insured, trained, and competent to design and undertake installation works under DSEAR, then sort it out.
If they can't zone it, then get them to get someone who can do it with them, unless you are insured, trained, and competent to zone it with them, remember you cannot zone it FOR them it has to be WITH them.
The zoning is THEIR responsibility.

 

[SirKit Breaker]

If you are going to tangle with this sort of stuff, then as a minimum you need to be best friends with BS7671, and in particular part 5 in great depth, and probably need to hold a Compex 7/8 certificate. Diesel isn't too easy to ignite in its normal liquid form, but if it is compressed or atomised, the bang it makes is awesome. There are a few examples of diesel explosions on you tube, and one in particular where a train crashes, the impact atomises the diesel and it wipes out part of a London suburb, not to mention it didn't do the train any good either.

Cheers............Howard

 

[snowhead]

thats what im wondering if diesel is classed as explosive, it certainly is flammable i can tell you that

Stick a lit match in a container of Diesel and the flame will go out.

Diesel engine,,Compression Ignition.

 

[brizospark]

Stick a lit match in a container of Diesel and the flame will go out.

Diesel engine,,Compression Ignition.

So are you claiming that diesel is not flammable?

 

[snowhead]

So are you claiming that diesel is not flammable?

Not unless you compress it (as in Diesel engines) or vapourise to a mist and set fire to it (as in Oil boilers.)

 

[telectrix]

it is , but a much higher flashpoint than , say, petrol or LPG. but the situation you have is something i'd leave to higher ups to make the decision.

 

[mechelec]

Diesel is explosive when mixed with fertiliser !!!

 

[brizospark]

I did not ask in what form - can diesel be set alight - simple answer Is yes

 

[telectrix]

Diesel is explosive when mixed with fertiliser !!!

also with sugar and weedkiller.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

A job we did not long ago was to have a disel pump. We ran the cables close to where it was sited then called in a specialist contractor. Much safer and the risk is with someone else then.

 

[ian.settle1]

Christ we've got a few terrorist's on the site

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

also with sugar and weedkiller.

Were you in nam?

 

[Earthstore]

Were you in nam?

I think he was, Chelt-nam....

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Notting-nam

 

[Knobhead]

I’m not allowed to post the link to the Handbook, nor would I!

Diesel in its liquid form is difficult to ignite. Heat it to give off fumes or vaporise it, it’s a different animal.

Even blasting slurry isn’t easy to ignite.

 

[Darkwood]

Their was a UK train crash a while ago where the Diesel ignited on impact... it took months of investigation to figure out why it had ignited as its very difficult even in a crash to turn it into a fire ball... it was found the impact was with such high force it ruptured the diesel tank and due to impact the diesel was ejected in a fine spray which was ideal for been ignited... this was a rare occurance hence the investigation.