Admin/Mods: You missed a golden opportunity!
....when you closed the thread regarding the RV (Motor Home) explosion in Calgary - resulting in one fatality.
As you read this - think of the "newbies" on the forum - folks who are new to RVing.
As you may recall (still on here, but closed) the thread was started by "BobsYourUncle" on 4-24-20.
Besides the event - it "dissolved" into a discussion of the explosive limits (etc.) of Propane - which was "suspected" to be the source of the explosion.
A Moderator closed the thread, apparently when no consideration was given to the deceased.
Opportunity missed: None of the posters (or the Moderator) took advantage of commenting on the "property" of propane (as opposed to Natural gas) - that being it's heavier than air, will "flow" (like water) and "pool" in any low places. Also, inside a tightly closed RV (Calgary in winter?), it will pool unless -and until- it finds an "exit" - OR a source of ignition.
Back to the "newbie". How about the "believers" who accepted the erroneous info that "internal cleansing" injection or ingestion would block the coronavirus - AND called 911 or 311 numbers to see if it were true!!..:R
So - here is a "newbie" related Propane event. On one of my duty shifts as a F/F, we received a call for a strong odor of "gas" in a home. The city was served by Natural Gas - so we surmised it was either a Natural Gas -or- a gasoline odor.
Upon arrival at a nice home in an upscale tract - there was a commercial moving van out front, and we were immediately met by a young assistant to the guy in charge. He excitedly related that he had "closed the slider to the back yard to prevent the fumes from entering the house" (which turned out to be a *VERY* good move!).
Background.
The homeowner had a nice portable BBQ which was to go along with his furniture, etc. The movers informed him they would be happy to take the BBQ - but not the propane tank (which was full).
They then instructed him to take the tank out to the center of his backyard, open the valve (old style then), and invert the tank.
His yard was slightly lower than the neighboring yards, and had a low retainer around the perimeter - about two bricks high.
He was wearing shorts and sneakers (no socks), and did as instructed.
The propane "flowed" in the yard and around to the side yard about 50' away - which had a natural gas fired in-ground spa. Then it flashed!
He had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his feet and lower legs (and I would guess some future "legal issues" to be resolved with the moving company.)
OK - one in a million, right? - NOT !!...
About a year later I received a call at home from the wife of a good friend who resided in the same city. He was an Army Major, being posted from So.CA to the Pentagon.
The movers were at their home......and they informed her "as above"!!
Being a perceptive lady, she suspected the "empty the tank" method was not a good one, and wanted my opinion!
Directed her to take the tank to a nearby Propane Bulk plant to be emptied - or leave it behind.
Bottom line - the Calgary explosion story (including an RIP) could have provided a "vehicle" to re-enforce the hazards of heavier than air propane (and gasoline fumes) to folks who "don't know" - for whatever reason.
End of soapbox.
~
As you read this - think of the "newbies" on the forum - folks who are new to RVing.
As you may recall (still on here, but closed) the thread was started by "BobsYourUncle" on 4-24-20.
Besides the event - it "dissolved" into a discussion of the explosive limits (etc.) of Propane - which was "suspected" to be the source of the explosion.
A Moderator closed the thread, apparently when no consideration was given to the deceased.
Opportunity missed: None of the posters (or the Moderator) took advantage of commenting on the "property" of propane (as opposed to Natural gas) - that being it's heavier than air, will "flow" (like water) and "pool" in any low places. Also, inside a tightly closed RV (Calgary in winter?), it will pool unless -and until- it finds an "exit" - OR a source of ignition.
Back to the "newbie". How about the "believers" who accepted the erroneous info that "internal cleansing" injection or ingestion would block the coronavirus - AND called 911 or 311 numbers to see if it were true!!..:R
So - here is a "newbie" related Propane event. On one of my duty shifts as a F/F, we received a call for a strong odor of "gas" in a home. The city was served by Natural Gas - so we surmised it was either a Natural Gas -or- a gasoline odor.
Upon arrival at a nice home in an upscale tract - there was a commercial moving van out front, and we were immediately met by a young assistant to the guy in charge. He excitedly related that he had "closed the slider to the back yard to prevent the fumes from entering the house" (which turned out to be a *VERY* good move!).
Background.
The homeowner had a nice portable BBQ which was to go along with his furniture, etc. The movers informed him they would be happy to take the BBQ - but not the propane tank (which was full).
They then instructed him to take the tank out to the center of his backyard, open the valve (old style then), and invert the tank.
His yard was slightly lower than the neighboring yards, and had a low retainer around the perimeter - about two bricks high.
He was wearing shorts and sneakers (no socks), and did as instructed.
The propane "flowed" in the yard and around to the side yard about 50' away - which had a natural gas fired in-ground spa. Then it flashed!
He had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his feet and lower legs (and I would guess some future "legal issues" to be resolved with the moving company.)
OK - one in a million, right? - NOT !!...
About a year later I received a call at home from the wife of a good friend who resided in the same city. He was an Army Major, being posted from So.CA to the Pentagon.
The movers were at their home......and they informed her "as above"!!
Being a perceptive lady, she suspected the "empty the tank" method was not a good one, and wanted my opinion!
Directed her to take the tank to a nearby Propane Bulk plant to be emptied - or leave it behind.
Bottom line - the Calgary explosion story (including an RIP) could have provided a "vehicle" to re-enforce the hazards of heavier than air propane (and gasoline fumes) to folks who "don't know" - for whatever reason.
End of soapbox.
~
