NATIONAL FUEL GEYSER
Awareness Campaign
FACT SHEET
- Be aware. Fuel geysering can happen anytime when there is fuel, heat, and pressure.
- Always check fuel levels before opening fuel tank. Open cap slowly, allowing pressure to release.
- Fuel levels above ½ tank are more likely to geyser.
- It’s your job to protect yourself and others. Know how to handle your equipment to avoid fuel geysering anytime there is fuel, heat, and pressure.
- If equipment is running poorly, play it safe and let the equipment cool for at least 15 minutes before opening the fuel tank.
- Fuel levels above ½ tank are more likely to geyser.
February 27, 2017, San Dimas, CA.—The USDA Forest Service National Fuel Geyser Awareness Campaign, “Be Wiser—This Can Geyser,” is moving forward quickly in preparation for the 2017 field and fire season. Over the last two years, there have been an increasing number of reported incidents involving geysering of fuel from power equipment and fuel storage containers, from the rapid expulsion of fuel due to excessive pressure build up. At least four geysering incidents involving wildland fire personnel have resulted in significant burn injuries.
The National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) has been tasked with managing a fast- track, critical safety project to reduce the risk of injuries related to fuel geysering from equipment that Forest Service employees, contractors and cooperators use. NTDP divided the project into three areas: engineering, best operator practice, and awareness. Engineering work, to understand the conditions, develop and test geysering counter measures for equipment, is underway. This work, combined with a national communication effort, is focused on one objective: socializing education and training on geyser prevention, mitigation, and safe fueling procedures to increase the likelihood of a good outcome when fueling power equipment and to reduce the potential of future geysering from occurring.
An interdisciplinary, interagency team has been assembled to accomplish this. This team, the Fuel Geysering Group, consists of representatives from the Chainsaw Technical Advisory Group, Fire and Aviation Management, Lessons Learned Center, NTDP, National Incident Management Organization, Recreation Heritage, Risk Management and Safety.
A fuel geysering website is being developed at http://bit.ly/fuelgeyser_home. Very soon, firefighters, safety refresher instructors, IMTs, Safety Officers, field going personnel who use or transport fuel cans, and others will be able to download presentations, briefing papers, posters, messaging, and more for daily use. The Fuel Geysering Group is preparing videos, podcasts, and PowerPoint presentations that will be available on the website sometime in March. Information will be spread throughout the agency and wildfire community on the progress of testing, as well as a timeline for availability of tools for sharing the information. Stickers for chainsaws and fuel containers, as well as posters, will be available as visual reminders. Please visit this website for current information.
The current recall of Stihl MS461 chainsaws will not affect the process that power equipment users and fuel handlers need to take to prevent or reduce impacts from geysering. All mitigation methods indicated in this fact sheet and on the website are valid for all power equipment and storage containers.
To report a fuel geyser or for immediate information, visit the fuel geysering website at http://bit.ly/fuelgeyser_home.
For additional
information, call
Ralph Gonzales at
(909) 929–7059 or email rhgonzales@fs.fed.us.
For a downloadable, printable emailable version of this document click here: Geysering Fact Sheet #1
No comments:
Post a Comment