Before approaching an LPG cylinder involved in a fire, how long should cooling water be applied?

Applying cooling water to an LPG cylinder involved in a fire for a duration of 2 minutes is critical for several reasons. LPG cylinders are pressurized containers that can pose significant risks if subjected to high temperatures. The application of cooling water helps to lower the temperature of the cylinder, preventing catastrophic failure that could result in an explosion.

Cooling for 2 minutes ensures that sufficient heat is dissipated from the cylinder’s surface, reducing the pressure within. This action is essential to prevent the release of flammable gas and to maintain control of the situation. The timeframe is also practical; it is long enough to effectively cool the cylinder without significantly delaying other firefighting operations or creating safety hazards for the firefighters.

In this context, longer durations might be excessive and could delay tactical operations, while shorter durations may not adequately mitigate the risk of cylinder failure. Thus, the choice of 2 minutes aligns with best practices for cooling pressurized containers involved in fire incidents.