Rubber Fires
Temperatures : 200 Degrees C : Rubber flow sticky and slippery
230 Degrees C : Rubber gives off Flammable vapours
Hazards : Thick, oily, black toxic smoke
Possible tyre collapse
Protective Clothing : full firefighting uniform and SCBA
Extinguishing Mediums : Water with large diameter jets
High and/or low expansion foam
Rubber factories may have a moulding lubricant (facemol)
Outcomes
1/ Identify the characteristics of rubber fires.
2/ State precautions associated with rubber Fires.
3/ Describe Firefighting techniques used for Rubber Fires.
4/ Outline a plan of action for premises with a risk involving Rubber.
In Detail
Characteristics Most ingredients used in the manufacture of rubber products are combustible (Source: Industrial Fire Hazards p 216) Stored rubber tyres are a hazard because of their large potential for heat output and the air spaces present in tyre stacks. Rubber tyres don’t readily ignite but once alight, the spread of fire and smoke can be rapid. The higher the storage, the greater the fire hazard and the more difficult to control by sprinklers at ceiling level. Tyres stored on their side in pallets tend to fall into the fire as they burn, and this helps to confine the spread of the fire. Fires burning in tyres may be hard to extinguish, as it is hard for the extinguishing medium to penetrate the inside of the tyre. At approximately 200°C, rubber begins to flow as a sticky, slippery, hot mass. The rubber does not resolidify, and steps should be taken to prevent it from entering the drains. The molten rubber can also contaminate firefighting equipment, especially hose. At approximately 230°C, rubber gives off heavy flammable vapours that may be trapped in the molten rubber which may catch fire with an explosive force. |
Hazards Burning rubber produces a thick, oily, black toxic smoke making visibility difficult. Stacks of tyres may collapse. Extinguishing mediums Water in the form of large diameter jets. High and/or low expansion foam can also be used. Some rubber factories may have a moulding lubricant (facemol) which can be used as an extinguishing medium through a foam branch. Protective clothing As a minimum, you must wear full firefighting uniform and SCBA when combating rubber fires. References Home Office (Fire Department) 1971, Manual of Firemanship Part 6c Practical Firemanship III, 2nd edn, Her Majesty’s Stationery Service, London, pp 272-274. NFPA 1997, Fire Protection Handbook, 18th edn, NFPA, Quincy MA, p. 9-132 |
Irwindale Rubber Recycling Yard Fire |
Arcadia Fire Department assists LA County Fire Department in this greater alarm fire at a rubber recycling facility on Longden Avenue in Irwindale California. This greater alarm fire with burning tires and lumber was fought with water and foam. The water is running into the storm drains which flow to the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Rivers. There are air quality and hazardous materials problems |
Melbourne Rubber Fire (archive)
Guidelines for bulk storage of Rubber Tyres | |
File Size: | 486 kb |
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