Flash Fire Standards

Flash Fire Standards

For the petroleum, petrochemical and chemical industries, the flash fire hazard has been a growing concern. Recently, however, several very serious incidents have made the industry look at ways to protect their workforce.

The flash fire hazard can be deadly due to the burn injury sustained during an exposure. A person’s ability to survive is a function of their age, the severity and amount of burn injury. Not having the ability to control a workforce’s age means that an employer must try to reduce the severity and amount of burn injury. As age, severity, and amount of burn injury increase, survivability decreases.

The purpose of clothing worn by the worker should be to minimize the severity and percentage of body burn when exposed to a flash fire. Third-degree burn injury should be prevented while second-degree burns should be minimized. This will create the best chance for worker survivability.