Just when I was starting to think that every aspect of ethanol had been attacked, they found something else to go after. Today there is a article in the news about ethanol posing a fire hazard.
The nation's drive to use more alternative fuel carries a danger many communities have been slow to recognize: Ethanol fires are harder to put out than gasoline ones and require a special type of firefighting foam.
Full Artile
Ethanol is just one of the many thousands of chemicals that a firefighter might have to face. And probably not anywhere near the most dangerous. And just like many other chemicals, fighting an ethanol fire will require special materials and techniques.
To that end the Renewable Fuels Association has been working to educate responders to ethanol incidents.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is releasing Responding to Ethanol Incidents, an educational video detailing proper materials needed to combat potential ethanol incidents. The video is available to watch online at www.ethanolrfa.org
The video is a technical document that is directed primarily at ethanol plant operators and first responders such as fire marshals. It documents Ethanol Firefighting Foam test results and educates viewers on how to deal with ethanol-related spills and fires.
At the end of the day though, we are talking about a chemical that if its wasn't denatured (mixed with a small part gasoline) is drinkable and that when it burns releases no dangerous fumes. Much more dangerous chemicals routinely make their way through our neighborhoods.
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