Heads up for the Tradies.... gas bottles

**Captain Stubing** · 19-12-2009, 01:09 AM

This happened in Brisbane this morning....

http://northern-times.whereilive.com...cks-northside/

The picture show the remains of a newish Toyota Hiace Van, it's been practically levelled from the floorpan up!

The driver walked towards his van, hit the remote fob to unlock the van... and... boom!

It had a handheld Map gas blowtorch stored in the back... it seems there was a leak of some sort.

Result....
Hiace - gone
Ford G6 turbo - roof bent inwards
House...Half a rebuild?

The message is.... don't store your gas cylinders where there may be sparks. Central locking can be an ignition source!

Maybe the Map cylinders have to be disconnected from the torch to prevent leakage?

Edit... I reckon the house needs 300k repair job, too

1LOUDXFUTE · 19-12-2009, 01:50 AM

didnt something very similar to this happen a few months ago?

Riksta · 19-12-2009, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LOUDXFUTE

didnt something very similar to this happen a few months ago?

Yeah I'm sure it did, I remember a post about it, once again built up gases inside the vehicle led to it.

Wonder how long before vehicles carrying any kind of gas cylinder need some sort of breather vents in the side/roof to try prevent too much gas from building up.

MO · 19-12-2009, 09:27 AM

^ or that ppl learn to turn their equipment off. All cars are vented just not well enough to allow it to get fully out.
Then again this could be a good thing as the bulk of the gas is contained inside the vehicle. Otherwise if the entire garage had been full of gas the explosion would not have been contained and you may of had an even bigger explosion. Depending on the venting of the garage.

302 XC · 19-12-2009, 11:57 AM

happens all the time
if he had leaking valves or hoses then he doesnt do regular checks of his equipment
one faulty valve or leaking hoses and static electric charge BOOM
just luck noone was killed

devilcv8 · 19-12-2009, 01:05 PM

Simple answer. If you are going to store gas bottles in a van, have a sealed but vented to outside metal box that the bottle goes in.

After all, that is what telstra does. haven't seen any telstra vans blow up due to a leaky gas bottle

Mr Hardware · 19-12-2009, 01:27 PM

Yeah the firies were talking about that yesterday, was up at warner, they said 'split it like a tin can'

rodderz · 19-12-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LOUDXFUTE

didnt something very similar to this happen a few months ago?

Yes happened in Melbourne, apprentice pressed the unlock button on his keyfob and set the bottles to explode which had leaked in the van overnight

dave351cid · 20-12-2009, 01:54 AM

i`v seen pics getting around of a twin cab hilux thats in about the same condition from the same cause.

and a few years ago there was a bloke in a falcon wagon that had just got his bbq bottle filled and was driving up the street. pushed the button to put down the electric window and ...bang. he got out of it but was pretty burnt. think that was in ipswich? the street survailence cameras caught the whole thing on film.