FIRE HAZARDS OF MARINE FUELS AND LUBRICANTS

At the present time the Royal Navy accepts diesel fuel having a flash point (PMC) of not less than 65.5 degrees C (150 degrees F). Investigations are in hand to establish whether reduction of the specification limit to 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) would introduce any unacceptably greater hazard. This paper examines and assesses some of the parameters affecting the validity of the Pensky-Martens flash point measurement, an attempt being made also to relate the situation in the test cup to that in a storage tank, particularly regarding the effects of ullage and weathering. Also considered are hazard involving lubricating oils and the results of machinery surveys conducted by the author are discussed. It is thought that under "normal" conditions the atmosphere inside a machine casing is not flammable and that abnormal situation with increased temperatures is necessary to generate a flammable atmosphere, and the conditions necessary to generate such an atmosphere from lubricating oil are outlined.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • 45 Conference Papers presented at IMAS 73, London, 4-8 June 1973, organized by the Institute of Marine Engineers. This paper is available only in a set of 3 papers in Subject Group 3: "Fuel Lubrication and Fire" at $7.50.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Marine Engineers

  Memorial Building, 76 Mark Lane
  London EC3R 7JN,   England 
• Authors:
  • Holness, M H
• Publication Date: 1973

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Diesel fuels; Fire prevention; Fires; Flash point; Fuel storage; Lubricating oils; Safety
• Old TRIS Terms: Flash point determination
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00048463
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institute of Marine Engineers
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 14 1974 12:00AM