Burning behavior and fire hazards of petroleum liquid combustible spills

Abstract

In July 2019, an arson using motor gasoline occurred in Kyoto. After the incident, the Fire Services Law in Japan was revised to regulate the sale of motor gasoline in portable cans to prevent similar incidents. However, other petroleum combustible liquids, such as white gasoline and lighter oil, remain easily accessible. Hence, the burning behavior when petroleum combustible liquids and motor gasoline are spilled should be elucidated. Although the burning behavior of spilled motor gasoline on a floor has been studied, the burning behavior of other petroleum combustible liquids has not yet been reported. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the burning behavior of eight types of petroleum combustible liquids, including motor gasoline. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses were performed to determine the sample compositions. The flashpoints were estimated from the measured saturated vapor pressures. A circular bank with a diameter of 1.6 m was created on a calcium silicate floor, and 4 L sample liquid was spilled inside the bank. From the results of the burning experiments, the flame temperature, surrounding heat flux, flame height, and burning duration of the petroleum combustible liquids were determined. Additionally, we attempted to predict the potential burn injuries to the human body around the flame based on the flux data. The results of this study can be applied to the fire risk assessment caused by petroleum combustible liquids and help predict burn injuries to victims.