Firefighters who conduct vehicle rescue and fire suppression operations might encounter vehicles that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) during vehicle fires, passenger and large passenger vehicle incidents, and CNG fuel leaks from vehicles. While multiple responders may be utilized to handle these incidents, the CNG tanks must be identified, secured and dealt with. These assemblies have specific threads and fittings for fueling, defueling and venting operations that might not be readily available for the initial emergency responders.

For these situations, technician-level responders can turn to the Hazard3 CNG Mission Paks that are offered by Safeware Innovative Solutions.

CNG properties at emergency incidents

CNG emergency incidents can result in flammable and explosive consequences if they aren’t dealt with properly. The cylinders on these vehicles have an operating pressure of 3,600 psi and have relief devices that vent during fires so that the fuel will unload and limit the potential of an explosion during a fire.

At the accident or extrication scene, it’s possible that the cylinder might have suffered damage that can cause the cylinder to fail without fire. Any gouge that’s discovered on the cylinder that’s deeper than the width of a credit card requires a hazmat technician who meets NFPA 470: Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Standard for Responders to offload the cylinder prior to the vehicle being moved.

Whether the cylinder will be defueled or the CNG will be vented into the atmosphere, specialized equipment is necessary to perform these steps.

HAZARD3 CNG Mission Paks

The Hazard3 CNG Mission Paks include multiple components: the CNG Defueling Nozzle Mission Pak, the CNG Offloading MP Mission Pak and the CNG Valve Override Mission Pak.

Once the decision is made to remove the CNG from the damaged cylinder, the CNG cylinder can be defueled by moving the fuel from the damaged cylinder to another vehicle or a CNG-approved collection container utilizing the Fuel Management Module. Another option is to ventilate CNG into the atmosphere, because CNG has a vapor density of 0.55 and will rise and dissipate rapidly.
Either way, the speed of the removal must be controlled with specialized equipment to prevent freezing of the valves and equipment. These Hazard3 CNG Paks are vital for the safety and control of the incident, no matter the mitigation method.

The Mission Pak components provide a variety of alternatives to remove the CNG from the cylinder and, ultimately, from the incident.

The CNG Valve Override Mission Pak can override common CNG cylinder valves by providing controlled electrical power when the power to the vehicle is secured and can operate utilizing auxiliary power, to provide power to the valve control magnet. The CNG Valve Override Mission Pak is used in conjunction with the CNG Offloading Mission Pak.

In the event that the CNG vehicle suffers damage to the CNG control panel and can’t be accessed for defueling or venting, the CNG Offloading Mission Pak provides fittings and piping to allow responders to perform a controlled release of the fuel into the atmosphere in conjunction with the Defueling Valve Kit or connecting into the existing CNG piping on the vehicle.

The CNG Defueling Nozzle Mission Kit is designed to offload the CNG from the vehicle utilizing access from the fill port. It’s used with the Offloading Pak and is equipped with an internal one-way check valve for safety.

The takeaway

Successful mitigation of any emergency scene involves efficient techniques, alternative accessibility and equipment that’s available on scene. Equipment should be dependable, easily identified and operated as set in the correct application.

Today’s vehicles can be powered by a variety of fuels, including CNG, which can be found in passenger and large passenger vehicles and local and over-the-road commercial vehicles.

Controlling the potential risks that CNG can expose the public to requires the right equipment in the hands of trained emergency response personnel.

The HAZARD3 CNG Mission Paks are a necessity for firefighters who respond to vehicle accidents and fires that involve CNG cylinders and earns the Firehouse Product Review Seal of Approval.