Posted by Robert Atkinson 2 on 16/12/2019 17:41:56:
I had a scare and lucky escape as a teenager. Short verson, I was using a 1.5" torch with regulator on the LPG tank in a closed workshop. After a while of using it at bench level, I lowered the torch and there was gentle "woof" ans a sea of flame spread across the workshop a about knee hight. I stood there watching it burn down and waited for a bang that never came. The hose was damaged at the regulator fitting and had leaked. I did not even loose an eyebrow, very very lucky. If there had been a draft to mix the gas and air there would have been a big bang. As it was the layer on the floor was so rich it just burnt at the gas air interface.
You don't have to be a smoker, any spark, from a brushed motor like a drill, grinding etc can cause ignition.
Robert G8RPI.
Hi Robert, Propane if that is what you were using would have a habit of creeping up on you as it is heavier than air. You probably had less than 2.2% by volume of air, as its explosive limits are 2.2 to 9.5% by volume of air which made it more likely to burn rather than explode. Still a bit scary though, all the same I guess.
Regards Nick.