FLIGHT BOX FIRE
06-01-2004 | 03:13 PM
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FLIGHT BOX FIRE
Ok, you may remember that i had a fire at my workbench because if fuel vapours,
now the BMFA sent out a safty bulletin: (THIS IS WORTH READING)
Flight Box Catches Fire:
During a flying session at a BMFA affiliated club site, the pilot and his helper noticed a flash or arcing inside the flight box. The starter was immediately disconnected and the 12V battery removed. After this it was noticed that the bottom of the plastic flight box was bubbling the cause of which was not immediately apparent.
After 15 seconds or so, the pilot and his helper tried to remove the flight box from the pit area and as the pilot's helper bent over to pick it up, the flight box exploded in his face, throwing him some 30 feet and causing burns to his face and scalp which required specialist hospital treatment.
The explosion was caused by the ignition of half a gallon of methanol based fuel which was stored inside the plastic flight box together with the 12V battery and associated circuitry.
Unfortunately, the flight box was so badly damaged that inspection did not reveal the detailed cause of the ignition. However, it is highly probable that an electrical fault ignited either spilt fuel, fuel vapour, or probably both causing the plastic flight box to melt and the fuel container to ignite. Unfortunately, methanol burns with a very pale blue flame which is barely discernible in daylight resulting in the pilot and helper being unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
Fortuitously, there was a source of water nearby which was used to cool the burns whilst awaiting medical assistance.
Fuel fires of this nature are extremely rare but to mitigate against a re-occurrence we advise the following:
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1. Fuel containers are stored externally on flight boxes away from potential sources of ignition such as electrical equipment, lighters and matches.
2. If you do store your fuel within the flight box, it should be within a separate compartment within the flight box. Drain holes should be incorporated to disperse spilt fuel and the compartment should be well ventilated to disperse fuel vapour. The design of the box should prevent fuel migrating to other compartments within the flight box in the event of a spillage.
3. Mop up any spillage immediately and dispose of the mopping up materials in a safe place.
4. Do not smoke in the vicinity of fuel.
5. If you have or suspect that you have a fire, warn your colleagues and clear the area immediately. Remember, methanol fires are not obvious in daylight so stay well back if in doubt.
6. If the fire is small, attempt to extinguish the fire by using an approved extinguisher for fuel fires (foam or powder). If there is any danger of a large fire, i.e. the fuel container itself, do not attempt to extinguish the fire under any circumstances. Always exercise extreme caution and if in any doubt stay well back and contact the emergency services for assistance.
7. Do not attempt to move any burning materiel.
8. Ensure you know the first aid treatment for burns and where your nearest water supply is. The first few minutes in the treatment of burns is critical if the injures are to be minimised; the quicker the burn is cooled the less the damage to the underlying skin tissues. Burns can cause severe shock which will also require treatment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember, avoid putting your fuel container into an enclosed space and never adjacent to potential sources of ignition. Should you have a fire, do not take any risks; your equipment is replaceable but you are not.
(Compiled with advice from the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.)
now the BMFA sent out a safty bulletin: (THIS IS WORTH READING)
Flight Box Catches Fire:
During a flying session at a BMFA affiliated club site, the pilot and his helper noticed a flash or arcing inside the flight box. The starter was immediately disconnected and the 12V battery removed. After this it was noticed that the bottom of the plastic flight box was bubbling the cause of which was not immediately apparent.
After 15 seconds or so, the pilot and his helper tried to remove the flight box from the pit area and as the pilot's helper bent over to pick it up, the flight box exploded in his face, throwing him some 30 feet and causing burns to his face and scalp which required specialist hospital treatment.
The explosion was caused by the ignition of half a gallon of methanol based fuel which was stored inside the plastic flight box together with the 12V battery and associated circuitry.
Unfortunately, the flight box was so badly damaged that inspection did not reveal the detailed cause of the ignition. However, it is highly probable that an electrical fault ignited either spilt fuel, fuel vapour, or probably both causing the plastic flight box to melt and the fuel container to ignite. Unfortunately, methanol burns with a very pale blue flame which is barely discernible in daylight resulting in the pilot and helper being unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
Fortuitously, there was a source of water nearby which was used to cool the burns whilst awaiting medical assistance.
Fuel fires of this nature are extremely rare but to mitigate against a re-occurrence we advise the following:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Fuel containers are stored externally on flight boxes away from potential sources of ignition such as electrical equipment, lighters and matches.
2. If you do store your fuel within the flight box, it should be within a separate compartment within the flight box. Drain holes should be incorporated to disperse spilt fuel and the compartment should be well ventilated to disperse fuel vapour. The design of the box should prevent fuel migrating to other compartments within the flight box in the event of a spillage.
3. Mop up any spillage immediately and dispose of the mopping up materials in a safe place.
4. Do not smoke in the vicinity of fuel.
5. If you have or suspect that you have a fire, warn your colleagues and clear the area immediately. Remember, methanol fires are not obvious in daylight so stay well back if in doubt.
6. If the fire is small, attempt to extinguish the fire by using an approved extinguisher for fuel fires (foam or powder). If there is any danger of a large fire, i.e. the fuel container itself, do not attempt to extinguish the fire under any circumstances. Always exercise extreme caution and if in any doubt stay well back and contact the emergency services for assistance.
7. Do not attempt to move any burning materiel.
8. Ensure you know the first aid treatment for burns and where your nearest water supply is. The first few minutes in the treatment of burns is critical if the injures are to be minimised; the quicker the burn is cooled the less the damage to the underlying skin tissues. Burns can cause severe shock which will also require treatment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember, avoid putting your fuel container into an enclosed space and never adjacent to potential sources of ignition. Should you have a fire, do not take any risks; your equipment is replaceable but you are not.
(Compiled with advice from the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.)
06-01-2004 | 03:15 PM
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RE: FLIGHT BOX FIRE
ALSO ANOTHER SAFTELY BULLETIN ABOUT MOBILE (CELL) PHONES:
The JRCUC has reported there may be a problem associated with operating mobile telephones in the close proximity of programmable transmitters causing the memories to be partly or fully erased. This problem has yet to be scientifically substantiated; however, it is generally known that RF radiation can disable or permanently damage some modern electronic devices.
Although the risk may be small, we believe it should be minimised by bringing it to the attention of members and clubs. Pending resolution, we recommend that mobile telephones are not switched on within 10 feet of any programmable transmitter. This may appear to be overkill, but better safe than sorry. Care should be taken during pre-flight checks to ensure that all controls are operating fully and in their correct sense and to ensure that the memory has not been affected by any undetected or unknown transmissions since the last flight.
The JRCUC has reported there may be a problem associated with operating mobile telephones in the close proximity of programmable transmitters causing the memories to be partly or fully erased. This problem has yet to be scientifically substantiated; however, it is generally known that RF radiation can disable or permanently damage some modern electronic devices.
Although the risk may be small, we believe it should be minimised by bringing it to the attention of members and clubs. Pending resolution, we recommend that mobile telephones are not switched on within 10 feet of any programmable transmitter. This may appear to be overkill, but better safe than sorry. Care should be taken during pre-flight checks to ensure that all controls are operating fully and in their correct sense and to ensure that the memory has not been affected by any undetected or unknown transmissions since the last flight.
Not again!
06-01-2004 | 04:27 PM
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From: AltrinchamCheshire, UNITED KINGDOM
RE: FLIGHT BOX FIRE
Sorry Flyboy,
didn't see all the other postings regarding this controversy as there's so much else on the site. I'll keep quiet in future
didn't see all the other postings regarding this controversy as there's so much else on the site. I'll keep quiet in future
06-01-2004 | 07:56 PM
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From: coal township, PA
RE: FLIGHT BOX FIRE
This is the reason my fuel is in a seperate plastic container with a manual fuel pump (Dubro Superfueler). I do not like mixing fuel with electricity.
Mark Shuman
Mark Shuman
06-01-2004 | 10:04 PM
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From: red deer,
AB,
RE: FLIGHT BOX FIRE
Not exactly the same story but this happened to me almost 3 years ago.................with NITRO.
It was about 5:00 pm and I was burning some brush in an old burn barrell when I thought I would take some time and get the planes from the back of the pick up and put them away. I had gotten back from a fun fly earlier. I put the planes away and began to get the tool box, flight box and extra jug of 10%. Now my truck was about 15 - 20 feet from the burn barrell which was burning nicely with only a 1 foot high flame above the barrel..............small. I took out the jug from the box to release the pressure and put the original top back on to be put in the shed. I did this while walking to the shed which brought me to the front of the truck and no closer than 8 - 10 feet from the fire. As i heard the momentary hissing from the pressure in the jug I felt a heavy thud against my face and an instant burning sensation arounnd my face arms and ears. I was on fire!
What happened was that when I released the pressure somehow the vapour was sparked or something ignited the nitro. It didn't explode but rather took off like a rocket with burning nitro being propelled out the opening with the flame setting my nitro soaked face and shirt front on fire. I must have put my arms up to cover my face because my forearms were severly burnt. In short, I was in bad shape and had it not been for the sand box in the yard with some water in it from a couple of previous days rain, it would have been worse.
There is more to the story but you get the idea. The bottom line is that I was careless. From the point I started Rc again I had never and will never underestimate the fuel we use. I don't use electric pumps, I fill a fuel bottle for refuelling and leave the jug outside the pitts. I don't have a fuel jug in my flght box and never stock pile the stuff.
I'm not suggesting that these things contributed to my incident but now I am more aware of it. I have never witnessed any other incident with nitro in all my years even during the rc car days when the guys would have a cigarette going tweaking the cars after a run before the mains. The rules are heavier now and for good reason.
Just thought I would relay one of my more stupid moves
Regards,
Nate
It was about 5:00 pm and I was burning some brush in an old burn barrell when I thought I would take some time and get the planes from the back of the pick up and put them away. I had gotten back from a fun fly earlier. I put the planes away and began to get the tool box, flight box and extra jug of 10%. Now my truck was about 15 - 20 feet from the burn barrell which was burning nicely with only a 1 foot high flame above the barrel..............small. I took out the jug from the box to release the pressure and put the original top back on to be put in the shed. I did this while walking to the shed which brought me to the front of the truck and no closer than 8 - 10 feet from the fire. As i heard the momentary hissing from the pressure in the jug I felt a heavy thud against my face and an instant burning sensation arounnd my face arms and ears. I was on fire!
What happened was that when I released the pressure somehow the vapour was sparked or something ignited the nitro. It didn't explode but rather took off like a rocket with burning nitro being propelled out the opening with the flame setting my nitro soaked face and shirt front on fire. I must have put my arms up to cover my face because my forearms were severly burnt. In short, I was in bad shape and had it not been for the sand box in the yard with some water in it from a couple of previous days rain, it would have been worse.
There is more to the story but you get the idea. The bottom line is that I was careless. From the point I started Rc again I had never and will never underestimate the fuel we use. I don't use electric pumps, I fill a fuel bottle for refuelling and leave the jug outside the pitts. I don't have a fuel jug in my flght box and never stock pile the stuff.
I'm not suggesting that these things contributed to my incident but now I am more aware of it. I have never witnessed any other incident with nitro in all my years even during the rc car days when the guys would have a cigarette going tweaking the cars after a run before the mains. The rules are heavier now and for good reason.
Just thought I would relay one of my more stupid moves
Regards,
Nate
06-03-2004 | 07:36 PM
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From: coal township, PA
RE: FLIGHT BOX FIRE
I am glad you are ok Nate. The real danger of methanol fires is that the flames are invisible in daylight. You cannot see the flames. It can be a cast iron ***** when you have a meth fire. Just be aware and be observant around fuel.
Mark Shuman
Mark Shuman
