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NBS TECHNICAL NOTE 850
NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

The National Bureau of Standards 1 was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts

research and provides: (1) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau consists of the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the Institute for Applied Technology,

the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology, and the Office for Information Programs. THE INSTITUTE FOR BASIC STANDARDS provides the central basis within the United

States of a complete and consistent system of physical measurement; coordinates that system

with measurement systems of other nations; and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical measurements throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and commerce. The Institute consists of a Center for Radiation Research, an Office of Measurement Services and the following divisions: Applied Mathematics — Electricity — Mechanics — Heat — Optical Physics — Nuclear

Sciences 2 — Applied Radiation ° — Quantum Electronics 3 — Electromagnetics 3 — Time

and Frequency " — Laboratory Astrophysics * — Cryogenics '". THE INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS RESEARCH conducts materials research leading to improved methods of measurement, standards, and data on the properties of well-characterized

materials needed by industry, commerce, educational institutions, and Government; provides advisory and research services to other Government agencies; and develops, produces, and

distributes standard reference materials. The Institute consists of the Office of Standard

Reference Materials and the following divisions: Analytical Chemistry — Polymers — Metallurgy — Inorganic Materials — Reactor

Radiation — Physical Chemistry.

THE INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY provides technical services to promote

the use of available technology and to facilitate technological innovation in industry and

Government; cooperates with public and private organizations leading to the development of

technological standards (including mandatory safety standards), codes and methods of test; and provides technical advice and services to Government agencies upon request. The Institute consists of a Center for Building Technology and the following divisions and offices: Engineering and Product Standards — Weights and Measures — Invention and Innovation — Product Evaluation Technology — Electronic Technology — Technical Analysis — Measurement Engineering — Structures, Materials, and Life Safety * — Building Environment * — Technical Evaluation and Application * — Fire Technology.

THE INSTITUTE FOR COMPUTER SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY conducts research and provides technical services designed to aid Government agencies in improving cost effec- tiveness in the conduct of their programs through the selection, acquisition, and effective

utilization of automatic data processing equipment; and serves as the principal focus within

the executive branch for the development of Federal standards for automatic data processing equipment, techniques, and computer languages. The Institute consists of the following

divisions: Computer Services — Systems and Software — Computer Systems Engineering — Information Technology.

THE OFFICE FOR INFORMATION PROGRAMS promotes optimum dissemination and

accessibility of scientific information generated within NBS and other agencies of the Federal Government; promotes the development of the National Standard Reference Data System and

a system of information analysis centers dealing with the broader aspects of the National Measurement System; provides appropriate services to ensure that the NBS staff has optimum

accessibility to the scientific information of the world. The Office consists of the following

organizational units:

Office of Standard Reference Data — Office of Information Activities — Office of Technical

Publications — Library — Office of International Relations.

1 Headquarters and Laboratories at Gaithersburg. Maryland, unless otherwise noted; mailing address Washington, D.C. 20234.

3 Part of the Center for Radiation Research.

3 Located at Boulder, Colorado 80302.

4 Part of the Center for Building Technology.
Gasoline and Gasoline Container Fire Incidents

L

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Elaine A. Tyrrell

Programmatic Center for Fire Research

Institute for Applied Technology

National Bureau of Standards Washington, D.C. 20234

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Frederick 3. Dent, Secretary

\^ CNATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Richard W. Roberts, Director

Issued January 1975
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 74-600163

National Bureau of Standards Technical Note 850

Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Tech. Note 850, 34 pages (Jan. 1975) CODEN: NBTNAE

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1975 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (Order by SD Catalog No. 03.46:850).

Price 85 cents
CONTENTS

page

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE 2

3. FINDINGS 4 3.1. Age and Sex of Persons Involved 4 3.2. Gasoline Incidents 9 3.2.1. Ignition-Causing Activities For

Gasoline Incidents 9 3.2.2. Major Ignition-Causing Activities

For Gasoline Incidents 11

3.2.3. Ignition Sources For Gasoline

Incidents 12

3.2.4. Major Ignition Sources For Gasoline

Incidents 14

3.3. Gasoline Container-Related Incidents .... 15

3.3.1. Container Description For Gasoline

Container-Related Incidents 15

3.3.2. Ignition-Causing Activities For

Gasoline Container-Related Incidents 17

3.3.3. Ignition Sources For Gasoline

Container-Related Incidents 20

3.4. Gasoline Can Incidents 21

4. CONCLUSIONS 23

5. RECOMMENDATIONS 24

APPENDIX A. THE FLAMMABLE FABRICS ACCIDENT CASE AND

TESTING SYSTEM (FFACTS) 2 6 APPENDIX B. SYSTEM DEVISED FOR OBTAINING ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION FROM FFACTS CONCERNING GASOLINE AND

GASOLINE CONTAINER-RELATED INCIDENTS 27

ill

GASOLINE AND GASOLINE CONTAINER FIRE INCIDENTS

Elaine A. Tyrrell

Gasoline was involved in 72 percent of the 645

volatile flammable liquids fire incidents found in

the NBS Flammable Fabrics Accident Case and Testing

System as of December 1973. These gasoline incidents,

particularly those that were container-related,

were studied in detail. Male victims out-numbered

females approximately 5 to 1. Both males and

females, ages 6-20, were injured more frequently

than would have been expected if the incidents for

each sex had been distributed uniformly over all

age groups. Starting or tending an open fire

caused ignitions most frequently and involved

primarily males ages 13-45. Children were injured

most from knocking over or dropping a container of

gasoline close to an ignition source and playing

with gasoline and an ignition source. Matches

were the most frequent ignition source. Containers

ranged from large gasoline cans to kitchen measuring

cups, although gasoline cans were reported most

often. The youngest children were involved most

with some of the largest containers. The remaining

victims were involved primarily with smaller, more

easily managed containers. There was no indication

that the gasoline containers, by themselves, contributed substantially to these incidents. The

problem was one of human error - misuse or abuse

of the gasoline, the container, or both.

Key words: Accidents; FFACTS; gasoline; gasoline

containers; gasoline incidents; gasoline-related

fires; ignition-causing activities; ignition sources;

volatile flammable liquids; volatile flammable liquids

incidents.

1. INTRODUCTION

Among some of the current problems associated with gasoline

shortages and accompanying price increases are the tendencies

of consumers to hoard gasoline. An increasing number of accidents associated with the storage and usage of this fuel are being reported via the news media.
Last year, an estimated 24,600 people 1 sought hospital

emergency room attention for injuries sustained from flammable

liquids. Approximately 60 percent of these injuries were

attributable to gasoline.

The Flammable Fabrics Accident Case and Testing System

(FFACTS) 2 at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) was searched

for fire incidents involving gasoline with the knowledge that

data collected for this system is flammable fabrics oriented

and, therefore, any information pertaining to the causal

effects of flammable liquids or flammable liquid containers may

be biased. In a FFACTS data base of 3,043 cases as of December

1973, 668 victims were involved in 645 separate incidents 3 in which intermediary materials'1 in the form of volatile flammable liquids were present in the ignition sequence. Gasoline

represented 72 percent of these flammable liquids.

Because gasoline represents a high proportion of the

flammable liquids cases in FFACTS and because of an increasing

concern for how this short-supply fuel is being used and stored

by the consumer, an in-depth investigation was made of the gasoline incidents. Special emphasis was given to those gasoline

incidents that were container-related, that is, incidents in

which the containers were causally involved in the ignition

sequence. The objective of this investigation was to determine

if any patterns or trends exist which may aid in the reduction

or elimination of some of these accidents.

2. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE

In table 1, a breakdown of the volatile flammable liquids

is shown for the 645 incidents. Of the 462 gasoline incidents,

10 incidents were described as involving white (unleaded)

gasoline. In these 10 incidents, it was noted that the flammable

liquid involved was a product packaged, labeled, and sold

specifically for use as a fuel for camping equipment. These

incidents were excluded from the study. The remaining 452

gasoline incident case histories were collected and studied in

detail.

^his is an estimated number of injuries for calendar year 1973

based on flammable liquid accident reports from the 119 hospitals participating in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS)

.

2 See Appendix A for a description of the FFACTS data base.

3 An incident is defined as a single ignition from a single heat

source which may involve one or more fabric items and/or persons

^An intermediary material is a non-fabric item which is ignited

by the ignition source and in turn ignites fabric items thereby

forming a link in the causality chain.
Table 1. Volatile Flammable

Liquids Incidents in FFACTS

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Number of Percent of

Flammable Liquid Incidents Incidents

Gasoline 462 72

Lighter Fluid 36 6 Alcohol 27 4 Paint Thinner 23 4 Solvents 13 2 Adhesives 13 2 Kerosene 11 2 Flammable Liquids (Unspecified) 11 2 Oils 8 Fuel 8 Turpentine 5 Charcoal/Starter Fluid 5 Cleaning Fluid 5 Paint 5 Mix of Chemicals 4 6 Acetone 2 Shellac 2 Hair Spray 2 Window De-icer 1

Antifreeze 1

Fabric Softener 1

Total 645 100

From a review of these case histories it was noted that

they often contained specific information regarding the container

itself and the victim's activity with respect to the container

prior to the ignition, as well as information about the container

during the ignition sequence. None of this information can be

retrieved from the computerized data file. It was observed that

patterns involving the above cited parameters appeared repeatedly

in these incidents which suggested that categorization of con- tainer types and container-related activities leading up to the

ignition might be possible.

A system 1 was devised for obtaining this information from

the 452 gasoline-related incidents. The following sections of

'See Appendix B for a description of this system.
this report describe the findings of this system as well as the

involvement' of the primary victim 1 for each of these incidents.

FINDINGS

3.1. Age and Sex of Persons Involved

The age and sex distribut

volved in the FFACTS 452 gasol

2. A subset of these data was gasoline container-related inc

incidents (cans designed speci

were determined. These groups

also. For purposes of analysi

divided into six age groups wh

of behavior patterns. The age

toddlers, ages 0-5; children,

young adults, ages 21-45; adul

age 66 and over.

ion of the primary victims inine incidents are shown in table

obtained which represents the

idents, from which gasoline can fically for containing gasoline)

of data are shown in table 2 s, the victim population was

ich roughly represent six types

groups represent infants and

ages 6-12; youth, ages 13-20;

ts, ages 46-65; and the elderly,

Table 2. Age and Sex Distribution of

Persons Involved in Gasoline, Gasoline

Container-Related, and Gasoline Can Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Gasoline Container-•Related Gasoline Can

Age Group Incidents Incidents Incidents

M F Total M F Total M F Total

0-5 22 12 34 21 11 32 6 2 8 6-12 90 18 108 66 16 82 8 4 12

13-20 100 12 112 57 7 64 9 1 10

21-45 102 13 115 52 9 61 8 8 46-65 55 11 66 21 6 27 3 3 66+ 12 3 15 6 6 Total Known 381 69 450 223 49 272 34 7 41

Unknown 2 - 2 1 1 - - - Total 383 69 452 224 49 273 34 7 41

^he primary victim is defined as the person who was most involved in the causality chain with the most important role

being that of sustaining an injury. If there were no injuries

reported, then the primary victim became the person who initiated the fire or was in some way directly involved.
As can be seen from these data, males outnumbered females

approximately 5 to 1 in all three groups of incidents. In

addition, the age distributions are roughly similar for all

three groups of incidents. For a more realistic discussion of

these data, the gasoline incidents were separated by sex and

the total number cf victims for each sex was redistributed over

the six age groups 1 in proportion to their representation in

the U.S. population. These data are shown in table 3. The

resulting distributions indicate the number of victims which

might be expected for each age group if these gasoline incidents

had been distributed uniformly over all age groups.

Table 3. Age Distribution by Sex of Persons Involved in

Gasoline Incidents vs. Age Distributions For the U.S. Population

(FFACTS, December 1973)

a. Males

Expected Number of

Age Group Number of Percent of U.S. Victims Based on Victims Populationa Population Percentage

0-5 22 11 42

6-12 90 15 57

13-20 100 16 61

21-45 102 31 118

46-65 55 19 72

66+ 12 8 31

Total 381 100 381

b. Females

Expected Number of

Age Group Number of Percent of U.S. Victims Based on Victims Population3 Population Percentage

0-5 12 10 7

6-12 18 13 9

13-20 12 15 10

21-45 13 31 21

46-65 11 20 14

66+ 3 11 8 Total 69 100 69

aFigures are based on 1970 U.S. Bureau of the Census statistics

^he two male victims of unknown age were excluded from table 3, 5
A visual representation of these data is given in figure 1 and figure 2. In figure 1, the histograms represent the number

of victims reported for the gasoline incidents found in FFACTS

The number of victims which might be expected for each age group

(if the incidents were distributed uniformly over the age groups

in proportion to their representation in the U.S. population)

are superimposed over the histograms. In figure 2, the histograms represent the number of victims reported for all three

types of gasoline-related incidents in FFACTS.

For the gasoline incidents, males in the 6-12 and 13-20

age groups were injured far more frequently than would have

been expected for their age groups if the incidents were distributed randomly over the male population. Being of an age

for "experimentation," males in the 6-12 age group were found

to be injured most frequently from playing with gasoline and

an ignition source. Having gained in sophistication, males in

the 13-20 age group were injured most frequently from starting

or tending open fires (type 1 and type 2)* - activities which

might still be considered as play activities in some instances

even though they may have been assigned chores.

Although males in the 21-45 age group were represented

more often than all other age groups in the FFACTS data, this

age group also represents the largest portion of the male population among the six age groups used throughout this paper.

Hence, males in this age group were injured about as frequently

as would have been expected if the 381 gasoline incidents

involving males were distributed uniformly across the male

population. These victims were involved primarily with starting

or tending open fires type 1 and priming carburetors.

In all three groups of incidents - gasoline, containerrelated, and gasoline can incidents - males between the ages of

6 and 65 were injured most often with a marked decline in

injuries for the very young and the elderly. This roughly

follows the developmental patterns one might expect for the

previously defined six age groups.

Females represented only 18 percent of the victims in the

FFACTS gasoline incidents, but their distribution in the three

groups of incidents is similar to that for the males. Females

in the 0-5, 6-12, and 13-20 age groups were injured most frequently in proportion to their respective representation in the

female population. Possible explanations for the small frequency of female involvement in gasoline incidents will be discussed in later sections.

*Type 1 fire refers to any open fire which is contained in a receptacle designed for a fire (i.e., charcoal grill, camp fire,

fireplace, incinerator, etc.). Type 2 fire refers to any open

fire which has been started on the ground in an open area

(i.e., bonfire, fire to clear trash, leaves, or other debris,

etc.)

6
FIGURE I. MALE AND FEMALE AGE DISTRIBUTIONS FOR GASOLINE

INCIDENTS AND FOR THE U.S. POPULATION

(Expected Number of Victims Supeimposed)

(FFACTS, December 1973) 120- vr rAU b, i

110-

" A

102

100- "SQirni MALES

90- 90

i co \ 2 80- - / \

1-

/ \ ^ 70- _ > / \

/ \

fe 60- - •^ J 55\

<z / —

uj 50- — r

\ m

| 40- V

z \\

30-

22

» 20-

12

10-

* xV *' ><b' *

AG EG =?0U P

co 50-r FEMALES

° *' vV nX' Jb' fo V V *" AGE GROUP
FIGURE 2. MALE AND FEMALE INVOLVEMENT IN GASOLINE INCIDENTS,

CONTAINER-RELATED INCIDENTS, AND GASOLINE CAN

INCIDENTS BY AGE GROUPS

(FFACTS, December 1973)

MALES GASOLINE INCIDENTS

(NON-CONTAINER)

GASOLINE CONTAINERRELATED INCIDENTS

3 GASOLINE CAN (A SUBSET OF

INCIDENTS GASOLINE

CONTAINERRELATED

INCIDENTS)

FEMALES

*> & ,_*

<° <b o> *° AGE GROUP AGE GROUP
3.2. Gasoline Incidents

3.2.1. Ignition-Causing Activities For Gasoline Incidents

In classifying the gasoline incidents by the activity

which led to the accident, it was observed that several of the

activity classifications previously determined might apply to

any one given incident. Therefore, the activity that most

closely identified with the ignition sequence was selected for

these incidents. The activity thus coded may not necessarily

indicate the activity of the primary victim representing the

incident. These ignition-causing activities are shown in

table 4.

Starting or tending an open fire type 1 represented 68 (15

percent) of the gasoline incidents. In comparison, 54 (12

percent) of the incidents were the result of playing with

gasoline and an ignition source; 40 (9 percent) of the incidents

were the result of knocking over or dropping a container of

gasoline in the presence of an ignition source; 39 (9 percent)

of the incidents were the result of starting or tending an open

fire type 2; and 37 (8 percent) were the result of cleaning or repairing machinery or equipment.

Using gasoline as a cleaning agent meant the removal of

tar, paint, etc. from floors, counter tops, paint brushes,

etc.; driving or riding in a vehicle generally involved a collision; using work tools referred to those tools which generate heat or sparks such as soldering irons and drills; and

using gasoline as an exterminating agent meant using this

volatile liquid to drown or burn out insects or their nests.

Males and females in the 0-5 age group were frequently

involved in incidents caused by knocking over or dropping a container of gasoline in the presence of an ignition source with 4 incidents being reported for the males and 6 incidents

being reported for the females which represent half of the

female injuries for this age group. Males in this age group

were involved equally as often in incidents caused by spilling

or splashing gasoline on themselves prior to the ignition and

playing with gasoline in the presence of an ignition source. The ignition source for these activities were generally hot

water heaters or matches. Males and females in the 6-12 age

group were the chief victims of incidents caused by playing

with both gasoline and an ignition source which often involved

open fires, incinerators, camp fires, etc. Thirty-three of the

90 males and 8 of the 18 females were injured as a result of

this activity, which represents 77 percent of the injuries for

the age group.
Table 4. Ignition-Causing

Activities For Gasoline Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Activity Number of

Incidents

Percent of

Total

Incidents

Starting or tending an open fire

type la Playing with gasoline and ignition

source

Knocking over or dropping container of

gasoline

Starting or tending an open fire

type 2 a Cleaning or repairing machinery

Priming carburetor

Spilling or splashing gasoline

Using gasoline as cleaning agent ....

Driving or riding in vehicle

Using work tools

Refueling power machinery and vehicles . Playing with gasoline

Using gasoline as exterminating agent. . Using matches or lighter

Transferring gasoline

Unknown

Standing near gasoline

Stirring, stomping or disturbing an open

fire

Carrying or transporting gasoline. . . . Using machinery or equipment

Playing with matches or lighter

Smoking

Using gasoline to ignite a heating source

Standing by an open fire

Assault/suicide

Helping another person involved in

incident

Suspected arson

Standing near ignition source

Warming self

Total

68

54

40

39

37

33

32

27

15

14

12

9

6

6

6

5

5

4

4

4

33

3

2

2

21

452

15

12

12

100

Starting or tending an open fire type 1 refers to any open

fire which is contained in a receptable designed for a fire.

Starting or tending an open fire type 2 refers to any open

fire which has been started on the ground in an open area.

10
Males in the 13-20 and 21-45 age groups were involved

most frequently in starting or tending fires. For males in the

13-20 age group, this frequently meant open fires followed by

incinerator fires. Males in the 21-45 age group, however, were

heavily involved in charcoal grill fires. Priming carburetors

was the second most frequently reported activity for males in

the 21-45 age group.

Males in the 46-65 age group were injured most frequently

while involved in machinery and equipment-related activities.

Ten incidents were reported where cleaning or repairing machinery was involved and 7 incidents were reported where priming

carburetors was the activity which led to an ignition.

Starting or tending an open fire type 1 was the activity

reported as causing the most injuries to females ages 13-65

with charcoal grills being reported most frequently. For

females in the 13-20 and 21-45 age groups, this activity was

followed in frequency of occurrence by that of using gasoline

as a cleaning agent.

The elderly, both male and female, were involved in accidents most frequently while burning trash, leaves, or other

debris in an open area. The males were involved equally as often in incidents caused by cleaning or repairing machinery.

3.2.2. Major Ignition-Causing

Activities For Gasoline Incidents

Many of the activities discussed above can be regrouped

roughly into four major activities as seen in table 5. Being

involved with an open fire, which includes starting or tending

an open fire types 1 and 2, stirring, stomping or disturbing an open fire, and standing by an open fire, represents 115 (25

percent) of the incidents. Being involved with machinery,

equipment, or tools, which includes cleaning or repairing

machinery, priming a carburetor, using work tools, refueling

equipment, and using machinery or equipment, represents 100 (22

percent) of the incidents. A physical action involving gasoline,

which includes knocking over or dropping a container of gasoline,

spilling or splashing gasoline, transferring gasoline, and

carrying or transporting gasoline, represents 83 (18 percent)

of the incidents. Playing with gasoline, an ignition source,

or both, represents 67 (15 percent) of the incidents.

Many of the injuries sustained as a result of these activities probably could have been alleviated if a more appropriate product had been used instead of gasoline. Many less

volatile products are sold expressly as fire-starting fuels,

solvents, etc. Storage of these less volatile products possibly

could have lessened the number and extent of injuries sustained

11
Table 5. Major Ignition-Causing

Activities For Gasoline Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Activity Number of

Incidents

Percent of

Total

Incidents

Being involved with an open fire 115 25

Being involved with machinery,

equipment, or tools 100 22

A physical action involving gasoline 83 18

Playing with gasoline, an ignition

source , or both 67 15

All others 87 20

Total 452 100

by children who played with the highly volatile gasoline they

found stored for some of these activities.

3.2.3. Ignition Sources For Gasoline Incidents

The ignition sources for the gasoline incidents are tabulated in table 6. Matches were involved most frequently, being

represented in 87 (19 percent) of the 452 gasoline incidents.

Combustion engines were the second most frequently reported

ignition source, being reported in 65 (14 percent) of the incidents, followed by hot water heaters, representing 48 (11

percent) of the incidents; open fires, representing 44 (10

percent) of the incidents; charcoal grills, representing 33 (7

percent) of the incidents; and incinerators, representing 32

(7 percent) of the incidents.

Hot water heaters and matches were the most frequent

ignition sources for both sexes in the 0-5 age group with 8 and 6 incidents, respectively, being reported for the males

and 3 and 2 incidents, respectively, being reported for the

females. This represents 64 percent of the males and 42 percent

of the females in the age group. The water heater incidents

generally involved knocking over a gasoline container near the

ignition source while the match incidents were primarily

"playing with matches" incidents. Males in the 6-12 age group

were involved most frequently in accidents where matches were

the ignition source. Matches represented 38 percent of the

ignitions involving these males. The second most frequent

12
ignition source for males in this age group was open fires.

Matches and open fires were also the most frequent ignition

sources for females in the 6-12 age group.

Table 6. Ignition Sources For Gasoline Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Ignition Source

Number of Percent of

Incidents Total

Incidents

87 19

65 14

48 11

44 10

33 7 32 7 23 5 15 3

12 3 11 2 10 2 9 2

9 2 7 2

7 2

65

5

4

43

3 9

32

1

1

11

1

Matches

Combustion Engine

Hot Water Heater

Open Fire

Charcoal Grill

Incinerator

Unknown

Camp fire

Cutting/Welding Torch & Other Ignition

Source Equipment

Space Heater

Hot Coals or Smoldering Sticks . . Furnace . . Gas Range or Oven

Miscellaneous

Cigarettes

Other Work Tools

Electrical Wiring

Sparks and Shorts

Light Bulbs

Fireplace

Other Appliances

Lantern/Candle

Lighter

Matches or Lighter

Other Heaters

Clothes Dryer

Camp Stove

Extension Cord

Fireworks

TOTAL 452 100

13
Matches and open fires were the most frequent ignition

sources reported for males in the 13-20 age group representing

20 and 12, respectively, of the incidents. Combustion engines

were reported most frequently as the ignition source for males

in the 21-45 and 46-65 age groups. For males ages 21-45 this

meant primarily priming carburetors. For males ages 46-65 this

involved cleaning or repairing machinery most frequently. For

the males in the 21-45 age group, carburetor-priming was followed

by charcoal grills.

Females in the 13-20 age group were involved with hot water

heaters most frequently. Females ages 21-65 were involved with

charcoal grills most frequently. In addition, females in the

21-4 5 age group were often involved with space heaters and

females in the 46-65 age group were often involved with hot

water heaters, cigarettes, and matches.

3.2.4. Major Ignition Sources For Gasoline Incidents

Although some 2 7 different ignition sources have been

identified, 81 percent of the 452 gasoline incidents occurred

as the result of 4 major types of ignition sources which appear

in table 7. Open fires, which include charcoal grills, incinerators, camp fires, furnaces and fireplaces, represent 30

percent of the ignitions; matches and lighters represent 20

percent; hot water heaters and other appliances, which include

space heaters, gas ranges or ovens, light bulbs, a clothes

dryer, and a camp stove, represent 17 percent, and combustion

engines represent 14 percent.

Table 7. Major Ignition Sources For Gasoline Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Percent of

Ignition Source Number of Total

Incidents Incidents

Open Fires 137 30

Matches and Lighters 92 20

Hot Water Heaters and Other Appliances 78 17

Combustion Engines 65 14

All Others 80 19

Total 452 100

14
Open fires and matches and lighters, which were the most

frequent ignition sources, were generally found to entail a similar sequence of events. Gasoline either was poured onto

the material to be ignited or was used to rekindle an existing

fire. Under the first set of circumstances, a match or lighter

was ignited which instantaneously ignited the highly volatile

gasoline fumes. An explosion generally ensued. Under the

second set of circumstances, hot coals or embers generally

ignited the gasoline as it was being poured from the container,

and the flames flashed back along the vapor stream to the container. In both sets of circumstances, the victims were

reported to be engulfed in flames as the gasoline vapors had

already surrounded and permeated their clothing.

Accidents caused by pilot lights from gas appliances and

sparks from combustion engines igniting the gasoline with which

the victims were involved, have similar ignition sequences.

Although many of these ignition sources were being misused or abused at the time of the ignition, they could not have been

changed or redesigned to make conditions safer for the victims

of these incidents who were carelessly and often improperly

using the highly volatile flammabile liquid - gasoline.

3.3. Gasoline Container-Related Incidents

The trends described for the gasoline incidents were present

generally in the 273 gasoline container-related incidents where

a container description was also given.

3.3.1. Container Description For

Gasoline Container-Related Incidents

Of the 452 incidents involving gasoline, 273 were found

where a container type was reported to have been involved in

the ignition sequence. Although more than one container type

may have been mentioned in the case history report, only the

container that was in use at the time of or otherwise involved

in the ignition sequence was coded. In table 8, the distribution of container types that were found in the gasoline incidents is given.

Gasoline cans, which included one-, two- and five-gallon

gasoline cans, were involved in 41 (15 percent) of the 273

container-related incidents. This means that in 41 of the

incidents, the container involved was actually referred to as a "gasoline can" or a can specifically designed for holding

gasoline. If the case history referred to the container as a "can of gas," one-, two- or five-gallon can of gasoline, etc.,

it was considered inappropriate to presume that the container

had been designed specifically for gasoline. These containers

15
Table 8. Distribution of Container Types

in Gasoline Container-Related Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Number of Percent of

Container Type Incidents Total Incidents

Gasoline Can 41 15

Glass Container 37 14

Can (Unspecified) 35 13

Open Can 29 11

Coffee Can 26 10

Plastic Container (Unspecified) 23 8 Open, Shallow Pan 15 6 Cup 11 4 One-Gallon Can 9 3 Five-Gallon Can 8 3 Pail or Bucket 7 3 Oil Can 6 2 "Non-approved" Metal Can 4 2 Two-Gallon Can 3 Paint Can 2 Bowl 2 Paint-roller Tray 2 Three-Gallon Can 2 Can with Spout 2 Charcoal Lighter Fluid Spray Can 1

Insecticide Spray Can 1 6 Tea Kettle 1 Water Can 1

Milk Can 1

Thirty-Gallon Can 1

Milk Can Lid 1

"Rusty" Can 1 Antifreeze Can 1 Total 273 100

were coded under other classification listings. Therefore,

the percentage of gasoline cans which were actually involved

in an ignition sequence may be somewhat higher if it were known

what percent of the containers classified under unspecified

containers and various other classifications were gasoline cans. Glass containers, which include pop and beer bottles, baby

food jars, peanut butter jars, and Mason jars, were involved

in 37 (14 percent) of the incidents. Open cans, which include

tin cans, as well as cans designed specifically for food, juice,

ham, lard, oysters and soda pop, were reported in 29 (11 percent) of the incidents. Coffee cans, primarily of the one16
or two-pound variety, were reported in 2 3 (8 percent) of the

incidents

Cups were generally paper or plastic, but occasionally a kitchen measuring cup was reported. Pails and buckets were

made of a variety of materials including plastic.

Without exception, all of these containers were open at

the time of the ignition, which, in fact, helped bring about

the ignition in some instances. In most of the gasoline can incidents, the container was described as being primarily a storage receptacle. The rest of the containers, however, were

viewed by the victims generally as being temporary receptacles

chosen for easy maneuverability while using gasoline.

The youngest age group was involved most frequently with

some of the largest containers. Of all the age groups, the

0-5 age group was involved most frequently with gasoline cans,

which, for this age group, were designated generally as being

one gallon in size. These small toddlers were also involved

frequently with one- and two-pound coffee cans. This fact can best be understood when coupled with the most frequently

reported activity for this age group which was knocking over

or dropping containers of gasoline.

In contrast, the rest of the age groups were involved most

frequently with smaller, more easily managed containers. For

the 6-12 and 13-20 age groups this meant primarily glass con- tainers which generally are readily found in the storage area

of most homes. The remaining three age groups, which represent

adults, were involved most frequently with open cans (i.e.,

food and juice cans) and coffee cans which probably were saved

for a specific purpose by these victims as soon as the original

contents had been emptied.

There was no indication in the FFACTS data that one type

of container was more hazardous than another either by size,

shape, material, or construction. All of the containers in

these incidents had their inherent strengths and weaknesses

based on these four components. The one feature common to all

of these containers was that they were open at the time of the

accident.

3.3.2. Ignition-Causing Activities For

Gasoline Container-Related Incidents

As was observed for the gasoline incidents in general,

several of the activity classifications could apply to any

given incident in the 273 gasoline container-related incidents.

Again, the activity that most closely identified with the

gasoline container and the ignition sequence was chosen for

17
the incident in question which meant the activity selected

may not indicate the activity of the primary victim of the

incident. The ignition-causing activities for these gasoline

container-related incidents are given in table 9.

Table 9. Ignition-Causing Activities

in Gasoline Container-Related Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Activity

Number of

Incidents

Percent of

Total Incidents

Starting or tending an open fire

type 1 57

Playing with gasoline and

ignition source 44

Knocking over/dropping container

of gasoline 40

Starting or tending an open fire

type 2 22

Priming carburetor 18

Spilling or splashing gasoline. . 14

Using gasoline as cleaning agent 12

Using gasoline as exterminating

agent 8 Playing with gasoline 7 Refueling power machinery .... 7 Cleaning or repairing machinery 6 Transferring gasoline 6 Carrying or transporting gasoline 5 Using matches or lighter 5 Standing near gasoline 5 Playing with matches or lighter . 3 Stirring, stomping, or disturbing

open fire 3 Smoking 3 Using gasoline to ignite heating

source 1

Standing by open fire 1 Using work tools 1

Driving or riding in vehicle . . 1

Helping other person involved in

incident 1

Suspected arson 1

Assault/suicide 1

Unknown 1

Total 273

21

16

15

8

75

4

33

3

2

22

2

2

100

18
Starting or tending an open fire type 1 represented 57 (21

percent) of the incidents that were gasoline container-related.

In comparison, 44 (16 percent) of the incidents involved playing

with gasoline and an ignition source; 4 (15 percent) of the

incidents involved knocking over or dropping a container of

gasoline; 22 (8 percent) involved starting or tending an open

fire type 2; 18 (7 percent) of the incidents involved priming

carburetors; and 14 (5 percent) of the incidents represented

the victim or someone else spilling or splashing gasoline onto

the victim prior to the ignition.

Gasoline used as an exterminating agent included gasoline

soaked rags, jars containing small amounts of gasoline, etc.,

to destroy bugs and insects. The only activity involving the

use of machinery or equipment, for these container-related

incidents, was lighting a lantern. Driving or riding in vehicles included the involvement of vehicles in collisions.

Youth ages 13-20 and adults between the ages of 21-65 were

injured most frequently while involved in starting or adding

gasoline to an existing open fire type 1. The elderly were

injured most while involved with an open fire type 2. These

activities correlate with the small container types most frequently used by these victims which were primarily food, juice,

and coffee cans. Young children in the 0-5 age group were injured most

frequently from knocking over or dropping a container of gasoline in the presence of an ignition source. Males in this age

group were also injured about as frequently from spilling or splashing gasoline on themselves prior to an ignition and

playing with gasoline in the presence of an ignition source. These activities do not require a great deal of manual dexterity

on the part of the victim which is demonstrated by the fact

that most of these victims were involved with container types

too large or heavy for them to lift or carry with ease. Children in the 6-12 age group were injured most frequently

while playing with gasoline and an ignition source. Children

this age are generally more concerned about concealing play

activities that may have been designated dangerous or harmful

than toddlers who have not yet developed reasoning abilities.

These older children, who also have better developed motor

skills, often transferred gasoline to smaller, more manageable

containers and experimented with it in the presence of ignition

sources - generally matches and open fires.

19
3.3.3. Ignition Sources For Gasoline

Container-Related Incidents

A distribution of the ignition sources found for the gasoline container-related incidents is given in table 10. Matches

were involved most frequently, representing 62 (23 percent) of

the incidents. In comparison, open fires and hot water heaters

each were the ignition sources for 30 (11 percent) of the

incidents; and incinerators and charcoal grill fires each were

involved in 27 (10 percent) of the incidents.

Table 10. Ignition Sources For

Gasoline Container-Related Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

Number of Percent of

Ignition Source Incidents Total Incidents

Matches 62 23

Open Fire 30 11

Hot Water Heater 30 11

Incinerator 27 10

Charcoal Grill 27 10

Combustion Engine 23 8 Camp fire 12 4 Hot Coals or Smoldering Sticks 9 3 Unknown 9 3 Furnace 7 3 Space Heater 6 2 Gas Range or Oven 6 2 Sparks or Shorts 5 2 Fireplace 4 Cigarette 3 Lighter 3 Lantern/Candle 2 Cutting/Welding Torch & Other

Ignition Source Tools 2 7 Clothes Dryer 1

Camp Stove 1 Other Appliances 1

Extension Cord 1 Matches or Lighter 1 Other Work Tools 1

Total 273 100

20
Youth in the 13-20 age group were involved in incidents

most frequently where matches and incinerator fires were the

ignition sources. Adults in the 21-45 age group were involved

most frequently by pouring gasoline on a charcoal grill. Adults

over the age of 45 were involved primarily with open fires.

Combustion engines (priming carburetors) were also the cause

of many injuries for adults ages 21-65.

Children in the 0-5 age group were victims of incidents

where the most frequent ignition source was found to be hot

water heaters. Children in the 6-12 age group were involved

most frequently in incidents where matches were the ignition

source. Activities coupled with ignition sources for these

two age groups demonstrate the greater physical capabilities of

the 6-12 year olds as compared with the toddlers. For the 6-12

age group, the activities generally involved "experimentation"

which meant the ignition sequences were usually intentional.

The activities involving the 0-5 age group, however, generally

were not predetermined which meant these small children usually

became the victims of an existing set of circumstances.

3.4. Gasoline Can Incidents

As seen in table 8 above, gasoline cans were involved in

gasoline container-related incidents more frequently than any

other container type. The ignition-causing activity engaged in

most often was knocking over or dropping the container which

occurred in 10 (24 percent) of the incidents, followed by

starting or tending an open fire type 1 which occurred in 9 (22 percent) of the incidents, and playing with an ignition

source and gasoline which occurred in 6 (15 percent) of the

incidents.

Matches were the most frequent ignition source for this

group of incidents, being reported in 16 of the incidents,

followed by 6 incinerator fires, 5 hot water heater fires,

and 3 combustion engine fires.

When the activities and ignition sources were correlated

for these 41 gasoline can incidents (table 11) , the combinations

which occurred most frequently were playing with gasoline and

matches which occurred 5 times, starting or tending an open

fire type 1 in an incinerator which occurred 4 times, and

knocking over or dropping a gasoline can in the presence of a hot water heater and using matches near gasoline, each of which

occurred 3 times.

Nine of these 41 gasoline cans were reported to have

exploded at the time of the ignition with 4 of these explosions

occurring near open fires. Three other containers also ex- ploded at the time of the ignition; two of these containers

21
Table 11. A Comparison Between Activities and

Ignition Sources For the 41 Gasoline Can Incidents

(FFACTS, December 1973)

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and ignition source 1 5 6 Total 1 5 1 2 1 2 6 1 16 1 3 1 1 41

were glass and one was a coffee can. were being used near an open fire.

These three containers

22
4. CONCLUSIONS

The FFACTS data base was searched for fire incidents

involving gasoline even though the data base is structured to

collect detailed information about fabrics involved in fire

incidents. The information gleaned from these case history

reports concerning gasoline and gasoline containers was additional information provided by the field investigators in their

attempt to depict as accurately and precisely as possible the

sequence of events which led to the ignition of fabric items.

As such, it is recognized that this information on gasoline and

gasoline containers is biased to fabric-ignited fires only and

cannot be considered as typical or conclusive of gasoline and

gasoline container fires in general.

Males outnumbered females in the gasoline-related incidents

in about a 5 to 1 ratio. When the numbers for both sexes were

examined by age groups, it was observed that although males in

the 21-45 age group were represented most often in the FFACTS

data, they were injured about as frequently as would have been

expected if the gasoline incidents were distributed uniformly

across the male age groups. Males in this age range were involved in tasks for which it was necessary to use a flammable

liquid. Unfortunately, gasoline instead of a more appropriate

product was used. Males in the 6-12 and 13-20 age groups were

injured much more frequently than would have been expected for

their age groups if the incidents were distributed randomly

over the male population. These are the developmental and

maturing years for males in these two age groups which may have

a direct bearing on their high frequency of experimentation

with gasoline and their involvement in gasoline-related fire

accidents. Activities for these age groups centered around

different levels of experimentation, that is, playing with

gasoline and an ignition source appealed to the younger boys

and, on a more sophisticated level, starting or tending open

fires with gasoline attracted the older youth.

A possible explanation for the small number of female

injuries as compared to male injuries is that most of the

ignition-causing activities for these gasoline-related incidents

are traditionally male-oriented. Most of the females injured

in the 0-5 age group were innocent bystanders, being injured as the result of the actions of males of all ages. Females in the

6-12 age group, although being frequently injured by the actions

of others (both male and female) were often a party to the

sequence of events which led to the ignition. Females between

the ages of 13-65 were involved in activities that may not have

been very familiar to them (i.e., spilling gasoline while in

the process of filling the tank of a lawn mower, removing tile

from a kitchen or laundry room floor, starting a charcoal

grill, etc. )

23
Many of these incidents may be related to physical as well

as behavioral development of the victims involved when the

various container types, activities engaged in at the time of

the ignition, and the ignition sources are considered for each

age group for both males and females. For the very young children as well as the elderly, physical movements could often be

interpreted as being clumsy and awkward. For the toddlers this

meant a lack of development of motor skills. For the elderly,

however, this indicated a tendency towards deterioration in

manual dexterity. This may be reflected in the comparatively

low injury rates recorded for the youngest and oldest age

groups when collated with the other age groups. The youth and

the adults were often injured because of their carelessness

and/or a lack of knowledge as to the characteristics of this

highly volatile flammable liquid.

In many of the container-related incidents and gasoline

can incidents, improper storage (both in terms of container

choice and physical location) and inappropriate use was indicated. Although containers specifically designed for gasoline

may have some inherent safety problems 1 of their own, there was

no indication in the FFACTS data that either these "approved"

containers or any of the other containers, by themselves,

contributed substantially to the gasoline-related incidents.

These incidents were the products of human error, where a lack

of knowledge or judgement resulted in misuse or abuse of the

flammable liquid, the container, or both.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

From the FFACTS data, it seems evident that people of all

ages need to be made aware of the fact that gasoline is a highly volatile flammable liquid with limited intended use. This generalization is reinforced by daily accounts from the news media which relate the reactions of the public to the

current gasoline crisis in terms of attempts to use, hord, or store this short-supply fuel, often with serious consequences.

It is recommended that an educational program be established to inform the public about the properties and characteristics of gasoline which make it an inherently dangerous

flammable liquid. This program should warn against casually

using this volatile liquid around the home in place of specially

prepared cleaners, solvents, fire-starters, etc. and should

provide information on how to store this fuel properly.

Consumer Reports , Gasoline Cans, Vol. 38, No. 5 (May 1973),

332-335.

24
Short messages prepared for radio and television airing

should address the specific users of gasoline and describe some

of the activities that frequently result in burn injuries.

Specifically, these messages should:

1. advise adults, particularly men, to use charcoal

lighter fluid, not gasoline, to start charcoal fires.

2. advise teenages to use commercially prepared solvents,

not gasoline, to clean engine parts.

3. advise adults, primarily women, to use specially

prepared cleaners to clean floors and prepared solvents to remove tiles from floors, not gasoline.

These messages should then give tips on how to use these com- mercially prepared products safely and what actions to take in

the event a fire should occur. Radio and television spots should be used to advise the

public to store gasoline in a cool, well-ventilated area, preferrably away from the house, in a can designed specifically

for that purpose. The public should be warned against storing

gasoline in the following manner:

1. on "child-level" shelves in discarded food or drink

containers.

2. on window sills where the container could easily be

knocked off or where heat from the sun could create

an explosive mixture.

3. in close proximity to other flammable liquids where

a mixture of the vapors could prove to be lethal or produce an explosive mixture.

4. close to ignition sources such as gas appliances.

The activities which involved the use of gasoline appeared

repeatedly in the FFACTS data, which roughly represents a nine

year period. Since it is reasonable to assume that these

activity patterns will continue to be reflected in accident

data as long as gasoline is sold to the consuming public, an educational program such as the one described above will be

needed to help reduce or eliminate some of these gasoline fire

accidents

25
APPENDIX A. THE FLAMMABLE FABRICS ACCIDENT

CASE AND TESTING SYSTEM (FFACTS)

The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) Flammable Fabrics

Accident Case and Testing System (FFACTS) was developed under

the mandate of the Flammable Fabrics Act, as amended in 1967 1

. The Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972 2 transferred the

responsibilities of the Flammable Fabrics Act to the new Con- sumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) , but NBS continues to

provide technical support to the Commission which includes the

maintenance and analysis of data incorporated in FFACTS.

The primary source of the accident data incorporated in

the FFACTS data base are in-depth investigative reports on flammable fabric accidents supplied to NBS by CPSC. Using

report forms developed jointly by NBS and CPSC, investigators

from CPSC and other participating organizations follow and

report on accidental fires involving fabric products from

around the country. These reports, together with any available

remains of fabric products involved, are sent to the Office of

Information and Hazard Analysis, FTD, for processing. If the

reports meet the FFACTS requirements of relevance and adequacy,

the fabrics, if any, are analyzed for fiber composition,

fabric construction, and weight. If appropriate test methods

exist, flammability characteristics for these fabrics are also

determined. The information from the accident reports is then

reviewed in light of results of the laboratory tests, coded,

and entered into the FFACTS computerized data base. Some 130

different data elements can be coded for an incident.

It should be noted that the incidents chosen for FFACTS

are not selected on a statistical basis and therefore, do not

constitute a statistically representative sample of all fabric

fire accidents in the United States. However, they do represent events investigated without known preference and therefore

may be roughly representative of incidents reported to the

agencies from which the CPSC and others obtain accident data.

: The Flammable Fabrics Act, 81 Stat. 568, 15 U.S.C. 1191, as amended and revised Dec. 14, 1967.

Consumer Product Safety Act. 86 Stat. 1221, 15 U.S.C. 2064B,

May 14, 1973.

26
APPENDIX B. SYSTEM DEVISED FOR OBTAINING

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM FFACTS CONCERNING

GASOLINE AND GASOLINE CONTAINER-RELATED INCIDENTS

Summaries were made for each of the 452 gasoline-related

case histories. The FFACTS case number, age and sex of the

primary victim, and a short paragraph noting the type of con- tainer used for the gasoline, if mentioned, and the circumstances leading up to the ignition sequence as they related

to the container were recorded for each incident. Three

classification lists were made which described as clearly

and as concisely as possible the container types involved,

human activities with respect to the containers prior to the

ignitions, and the ignition sources. The 452 gasoline

incidents were coded and tabulated according to this scheme.

The three classification listings thus devised appear below.

27
I. Containers Involved

1. Gasoline Can

2. One-Gallon Can

3. Two-Gallon Can

4. Three-Gallon Can

5. Five-Gallon Can

6. Thirty-Gallon Can

7. Open Can

8. Water Can

9. Milk Can

10. Coffee Can

11. Oil Can

12. Paint Can

13. Charcoal Lighter Fluid Spray Can

14. Antifreeze Can

15. Can with Spout

16. "Rusty" Can

17. "Non-approved" Metal Can

18. Can (Unspecified)

19. Pail or Bucket

20. Glass Container

21. Plastic Container (Unspecified)

22. Cup

23. Open, Shallow Pan

24. Insecticide Spray Bottle

25. Tea Kettle

26. Milk Can Lid

27. Bowl

28. Paint-roller Tray

28
II. Activities

1. Playing with gasoline and an ignition source

2. Playing with gasoline

3. Playing with matches or lighter

4. Playing with an open fire

5. Starting or tending an open fire type 1 (camp fire, fireplace, grill, incinerator, etc.)

6. Starting or tending an open fire type 2 (bonfire, fire

to clear brush, leaves, etc.)

7. Stirring, stomping, or disturbing an open fire

8. Standing by an open fire (gasoline on clothes)

9. Warming self

10. Standing near gasoline

11. Standing near ignition source - gas appliances (gasoline

on clothes)

12. Transferring gasoline

13. Carrying or transporting gasoline

14. Refueling power machinery and vehicles

15. Spilling or splashing gasoline

16. Knocking over or dropping container of gasoline

17. Cleaning or repairing machinery or equipment

18. Priming carburetor

19. Using machinery or equipment (using or attempting to use

(lanterns, appliances, vehicles, etc. when malfunctioning

or explosion occurred)

20. Using welding torch, soldering iron, or other work tools

which resulted in being ignition source equipment

21. Using matches or lighter

22. Using gasoline as a cleaning agent (solvent)

23. Using gasoline as an exterminating agent

24. Using gasoline to ignite a heating source

25. Smoking

26. Driving or riding in automobile, tractor, motorcycle,

airplane, etc. (collision, etc.)

27. Helping another person involved in an ignition incident

28. Suspected arson

29. Assault/suicide

30. Miscellaneous

31Unknown

29
III. Ignition Sources

HEATERS

1. Furnace (gas)

2. Space heater

3. Hot water heater

4. Unspecified heater

5. Other heater

APPLIANCES

6. Clothes dryer

7. Gas range or oven

8. Light bulbs

9

.

Camp stove

10. Other

OTHER OBJECTS

11. Electrical wiring

12. Extension cord

13. Lantern/candle

14. Open fire (unspecified)

15. Fireplace

16. Camp fire

17. Incinerator

18. Charcoal grill

19. Hot coals or smoldering sticks

20. Smoking materials (unspecified)

21. Cigarette

22. Cigar/pipe

23. Matches or lighter

24. Matches

25. Lighter

26. Cutting/welding torch & other special ignition sources

27. Other work tools

28. Combustion engine

29. Fireworks

30. Sparks or shorts

31. Miscellaneous

32. Unknown

30
14A ire\

U.S. DEPT. OF COMM. BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET

1. PUBLICATION OR REPORT NO. NBS TN-850

2. Gov't Accession

No.

3. Recipient's Accession No.

, TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Gasoline and Gasoline Container Fire Incidents

5. Publication Date January 19 75

6. Performing Organization Code

7. ALTHOR(S)

Elaine A. Tyrrell

8. Performing Organ. Report No. NBS TN-850

I PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20234

10. Project/Task/Work Unit No.

11. Contract/Grant No.

'.. Sponsoring Organization Name and Complete Address (Street, City, State, ZIP) same as No. 913. Type of Report & Period Covered Final

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

5. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 74- 600L63

6. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or /ess factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here.) Gasoline was involved in 72 percent of the 645 volatile flammable

liquids fire incidents found in the NBS Flammable Fabrics Accident Case

and Testing System as of December 1973. These gasoline incidents,

particularly those that were container-related, were studied in detail.

Male victims out-numbered females approximately 5 to 1 . Both males and

females, ages 6-20, were injured more frequently than would have been

expected if the incidents for each sex had been distributed uniformly

over all age groups. Starting or tending an open fire caused ignitions

most frequently and involved primarily males ages 13-45. Children were

injured most from knocking over or dropping a container of gasoline

close to an ignition source and playing with gasoline and an ignition

source. Matches were the most frequent ignition source. Containers

ranged from large gasoline cans to kitchen measuring cups, although

gasoline cans were reported most often. The youngest children were

involved most with some of the largest containers. The remaining

victims were involved primarily with smaller, more easily managed containers. There was no indication that the gasoline containers, by

themselves, contributed substantially to these incidents. The problem

was one of human error - misuse or abuse of the gasoline, the container,

or both.

7. KEY WORDS (six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only the first letter of the first key word unless a proper .name; separated by semicolons) Accidents] FFACTS ; gasoline; gasoline containers;

gasoline incidents; gasoline-related fires; ignition-causing activities;

ignition sources; volatile flammable liquids; volatile flammable liquids

incidents.

8. AVAILABILITY ft Unlimited

L_ For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

|X! Order From Sup. of Doc, U.S. Government Printing. Office Washington, D.C. 20402, SD Cat. No. C13. 46:850

I J Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS)

Springfield, Virginia 22151

19. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS REPORT)

UNCLASSIFIED

20. SECURITY CLASS

(THIS PAGE)

UNCLASSIFIED

21. NO. OF PAGES

34

22. Price .85>

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Technical Notes—Studies or reports which are complete

in themselves but restrictive in their treatment of a

subject. Analogous to monographs but not so comprehensive in scope or definitive in treatment of the subject area. Often serve as a vehicle for final reports of work performed at NBS under the sponsorship of other government agencies. Voluntary Product Standards—Developed under pro- cedures published by the Department of Commerce in Part 10, Title 15, of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of the standards is to establish nationally recognized requirements for products, and to provide

all concerned interests with a basis for common understanding of the characteristics of the products. The

National Bureau of Standards administers the Voluntary Product Standards program as a supplement to the activities of the private sector standardizing

organizations. Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS)—Publications in this series collectively constitute the Federal Information Processing Standards Register. The purpose of the Register is to serve

as the official source of information in the Federal Gov- ernment regarding standards issued by NBS pursuant

to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 as amended, Public Law 89-306 (79 Stat. 1127), and as implemented by Executive Order 11717

(38 FR 12315, dated May 11, 1973) and Part 6 of Title 15 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations). FIPS PUBS

will include approved Federal information processing standards information of general interest, and a complete index of relevant standards publications. Consumer Information Series—Practical information, based on NBS research and experience, covering areas

of interest to the consumer. Easily understandable language and illustrations provide useful background knowledge for shopping in today's technological marketplace. NBS Interagency Reports—A special series of interim

or final reports on work performed by NBS for outside sponsors (both government and non-government). In

general, initial distribution is handled by the sponsor;

public distribution is by the National Technical Infor- mation Service (Springfield, Va. 22151) in paper copy

or microfiche form. Order NBS publications (except Bibliographic Subscription Services) from: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. BIBLIOGRAPHIC SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

The following current-awareness and literature-survey bibliographies are issued periodically by the Bureau:

Cryogenic Data Center Current Awareness Service

(Publications and Reports of Interest in Cryogenics). A literature survey issued weekly. Annual subscription: Domestic, $20.00; foreign, $25.00. Liquefied Natural Gas. A literature survey issued quarterly. Annual subscription: $20.00. Superconducting Devices and Materials. A literature survey issued quarterly. Annual subscription: $20.00. Send subscription orders and remittances for the preceding bibliographic services to the U.S. Department

of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22151. Electromagnetic Metrology Current Awareness Service (Abstracts of Selected Articles on Measurement

Techniques and Standards of Electromagnetic Quantities from D-C to Millimeter-Wave Frequencies).

Issued monthly. Annual subscription: $100.00 (Special rates for multi-subscriptions). Send subscription order and remittance to the Electromagnetic Metrol- ogy Information Center, Electromagnetics Division, National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo. 80302.
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