SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS

File: 970313_jun96_decls1_0020.txt
Page: 0020
Total Pages: 35

Subject: SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS                           

Unit: VII CORPS   

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box  ID: BX000249

Folder Title: ENGR PLAN INTEL                                                                                 

Document Number:          9

Folder Seq  #:         84





                                                 UNCLASSIFIED




                                                                              AST-266OZ-148-90
                                                                                9 January 1991
                 f4LMe tooremi Jewish Personnel in closed tactical vehicles have thermal
             protection because the vehicle itself acts as a very large heat sink to absorb
             radiant heat. Thus personnel in these vehicles rapidly transiting through the
             extreme danger zone are relatively safe and protected.     If the vehicle stalls
             or stops, however, all personnel within the vehicle are In Immediate danizer.
             Outside air temperatures are above the flashpoint of automotive gasolines (mogas)
             and near the flashpoint of diesel fuel.     Within 10 to 20 minutes, fuel-tank
             temperatures will rapidly rise, and there is a serious threat of an onboard
             fuel-fire.   To prevent injury to personnel, all vehicles transiting in the
             extreme danger zone should have alrpacks, onboard fire extinguishers, a planned
            .escape route away from the fire, and thermally protective blankets or jackets
             to allow all personnel to exit the vehicle and escape the area. In addition,
             rescue straps and airpack harnesses should not be of nylon, but rather of an
             acid-resistant/fire-resistant material.
                 gi               Ranging out 600 to 1000 meters (1800 to 3300 feet) from the
             fire is a moderate danger zone. Exposed personnel run some risk of minor skin
             burns, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Exposed personnel I km
             (3300 feet) away from the wellhead are generally safe from heat. Airpacks are
             generally not required In this zone.
                 h!U)              Beyond 600 meters (1800 feet) from the fire, there is an
ops in standard battle dress and with protective gas
             masks on to transit the area on foot.     No foot soldier should ever al3t)roach
             within 600 meters (1800 feet) of the oil-well fire without full thermal pro-
             tection and airvacks.
                 I.(              These thermal gradient estimates are conservative, but they
             allow for a margin of safety to protect troops from changes in wind direction
             and velocity or unexpected side-venting and fireballing of wellhead fires.

                 J. (U) Standard-issue gas masks will not protect Personnel from lnhaline
             very hot, dry air, which is the most serious hazard to troops approaching within
             600 meters (1800 test) of the fire. Kithin this range, the use of airoacks is
             essential. Airpacks are far superior to gas masks In this situation because they
             provide a source of clean, cool air and a positive over-pressure to prevent the
             infiltration of smoke and toxic gas to the face. It should be noted, however,
             that airpacks are heavier and more awkward to transport than gas masks.

             5. Dangers from Carbon Dioxide Gas and Oxvggn Depletion (U)
                 &.(U@!l NMI14M" Near massive oil-well and fire-trench fires, there will be
             areas where the fire will consume most of the available oxygen. These areas of
             oxygen depletion can cause personnel to black out, and over time the lack of





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                                             UNCLASSIFIED

Document 35 f:/Week-24/BX000249/ENGR PLAN INTEL/serious oilfire gas and smoke dangers:0128971851472
Control Fields 17
File Room = jun96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-24
Box ID = BX000249
Unit = VII CORPS
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = ENGR PLAN INTEL
Folder Seq # = 84
Subject = SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS
Document Seq # = 9
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 13-FEB-1997