Incidents - Common Flammable Liquids
Foundational
Scope
This Operational Guideline is for Common Flammable Liquid Fuel Incidents including common liquids such as:
- Acetone;
- Acetonitrile;
- Carbon disulphide;
- Diethyl ether;
- Ethanol (or Alcohol);
- Isopropylamine;
- Isopropyl alcohol;
- Kerosene/Jet Fuel/Jet A1;
- Methanol;
- Nitromethane;
- Petrol;
- Vinyl acetate; and
- Xylene.
Fundamental Protocols underpin the actions of all NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) members and must be adhered to at all times. They outline the Principles of being an RFS member and provide guidance on conduct to support the safety and wellbeing of members.
Guiding Principles
When responding to an incident known to involve flammable liquids, consider:
Approach
- For large volumes, read in conjunction with RFS OPG - Hazmat Incidents.
- As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 metres.
- Approach the incident upwind and uphill; and consider firefighting from a well-ventilated protected location.
- Flammable liquids are easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames and their vapours may form explosive mixtures with air and can travel to the source of ignition and flash back.
- Note - Some corrosive material may react violently with water.
Rescue/Suppression
- Do not extinguish burning liquid without first cutting off the leaking supply.
- Small fires may be extinguished with a fire blanket, Dry Chemical (except in the presence of nitromethane), CO2, water spray, or alcohol resistant foam.
- Larger fires may be extinguished with water spray, fog, or foam (alcohol resistant foam in some cases).
- Do not commence extinguishment until sufficient quantities of foam are available onsite.
- Where possible, move containers from fire area, and do not get water inside containers.
- Prevent leaks entering waterways, sewers, basements, or confined areas.
Overhaul
- Cool alight containers with flooding quantities of water until well after the fire is out.
Special Considerations
- Vapours from liquids are generally heavier than air, and they will disperse or settle in low places, or collect near the ground. In some cases, they can travel considerable distances to ignition sources.
- Ethanol and Methanol fires produce an invisible flame making them difficult to detect. Consider using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) or a long wooden object (such as a rake hoe handle, which will become alight) to assess whether the liquid is on fire.
- Fires involving liquid may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gasses which are dangerous if inhaled or absorbed by the skin and eyes. Wear structural personal protective clothing and equipment (PPC/PPE), including Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), where possible.
- Containers exposed to heat may explode.
Related Information
Common Flammable Liquid Properties
Liquid | Properties |
Acetone | Acetone is a moderately dangerous organic compound. It poses a significant threat in a fire/leak/spill and will ignite readily at ambient temperatures. It is a colourless, highly volatile, and flammable liquid with a characteristic pungent odour. Acetone can mix with water and serves as an important organic solvent in industry, home, and laboratory. |
Acetonitrile | Acetonitrile is a moderately dangerous chemical compound. It poses a significant threat in a fire/leak/spill and will ignite readily at ambient temperatures. It is a colourless liquid produced mainly as a by-product of acrylonitrile manufacture. |
Carbon disulphide | Carbon disulphide is a highly dangerous inorganic compound which is toxic and potentially fatal if inhaled. It poses an immediate threat to health/life even in very small quantities. It is a colourless, flammable, neurotoxic liquid that is used as a building block in organic synthesis. It has a pleasant, ether or chloroform-like odour, but commercial samples are usually yellowish and are typically contaminated with foul-smelling impurities. |
Diethyl ether | Diethyl ether is a highly dangerous organic compound which poses an immediate threat to health/life even in very small quantities. It is commonly used as a solvent in laboratories and as a starting fluid for some engines. It is a colourless, highly volatile, sweet-smelling ("ethereal odour"), extremely flammable liquid. Vapours may travel considerable distances to ignition sources. |
Ethanol (or Alcohol) | Ethanol is a moderately dangerous organic compound. It poses a significant threat in a fire/leak/spill and will ignite readily at ambient temperatures. It is commonly used in engine fuel. It is a volatile, flammable, colourless liquid with a characteristic wine-like odour and pungent taste. It is a psychoactive recreational drug, and the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks. Note – Ethanol can burn with an invisible flame making it hard to identify. |
Isopropylamine | A highly dangerous organic compound which poses an immediate threat to health/life even in very small quantities. It is used as a valuable intermediate in chemical industry. It is a hygroscopic colourless liquid with ammonia-like odour and is miscible with water and flammable. |
Isopropyl alcohol | A moderately dangerous organic compound. It poses a significant threat in a fire/leak/spill and will ignite readily at ambient temperatures. It is commonly used in products such as antiseptics, disinfectants, hand sanitizer, and detergents. It is colourless, with a pungent alcoholic odour, and can mix with water, ethanol, and chloroform. |
Kerosene/Jet Fuel/Jet A1 | A mildly dangerous combustible liquid posing a risk only in open areas involving large fire/leak/spills, as it is difficult to ignite at ambient temperatures. Derived from petroleum, it is widely used as a fuel in aviation and commonly used as a cooking and lighting fuel. Kerosene is a low-viscosity, clear liquid and produces an unpleasant odour, which becomes poisonous in sufficient concentration. |
Methanol | A moderately dangerous organic chemical, which is toxic and potentially fatal if inhaled. It poses a significant threat in a fire/leak/spill and will ignite readily at ambient temperatures. It is a light, volatile, colourless, and flammable liquid with a distinctive alcoholic odour similar to that of Ethanol. Note – Methanol can burn with an invisible flame making it hard to identify. |
Nitromethane | A moderately dangerous organic chemical. It poses a significant threat in fire as it emits toxic vapours/fumes, is highly flammable, and may become explosive if subject to shock, friction, or concussion. Nitromethane is used in the manufacture of pesticides, cleaning agents, explosives, and as a fuel additive in motorsports. It is a colourless, oily liquid with a strong, disagreeable odour. |
Petrol | Petrol is a moderately dangerous organic compound. It poses a significant threat in a fire/leak/spill and will ignite readily at ambient temperatures. It is used primarily as a fuel in most spark-ignited internal combustion engines (also known as petrol engines). It is a transparent, slight yellowish petroleum-derived flammable liquid with an ethereal odour. |
Vinyl acetate | Vinyl acetate is a moderately dangerous organic compound. It poses a significant threat in a fire/leak/spill and will ignite readily at ambient temperatures. Organic compound used to make industrial chemicals, such as glue, paints, textiles, paper, and food packaging. It is a clear, colourless liquid with a sweet, fruity smell. |
Xylene | Xylene is mildly dangerous organic compound, posing a risk only in open areas involving large fire/leak/spills. As it is difficult to ignite at ambient temperatures. It is used in the chemical, plastics, and synthetic fibre industries and as an ingredient in the coating of fabrics and papers. It is a colourless, sweet-smelling liquid or gas. |
The Australian and New Zealand Emergency Response Guide Book provides further detailed information on flammable liquids and other hazards.
Content Owner:
Area Operations
Date Approved:
26 Mar 2024
Review Required:
26 Mar 2027
Version:
1.0
If you have any questions or feedback on Operational Doctrine, please email Ops.Performance@rfs.nsw.gov.au.
