Fires and explosions in welding: risks and preventive measures

The most common causes for fire and explosion risks that a worker could be subjected during welding jobs, could be:

• Welding sparks projections.
• Electric arc inherent from welding process.
• Manipulation and/or gas leaks (acetylene, oxygen, methane, propane, butane, hydrogen, etc.).
• Incorrect use of welding torches or any equipment, like pressure cuffs (compressors, etc.).
• Serious risk of non-consumed oxygen detachment, in oxicut operations in enclosed spaces.

Thus, it is necessary to have means to prevent and avoid risks and disasters, like:

• Collective protection: Use of fire blankets for welding protection to avoid sparks falling over combustible materials.
• Third party protection: Use of protection screens and welding curtains to isolate and create working spaces safer and to protect third parties against this risk.
• Environment protection: Powder extinguishers and fire blankets, have their application in case of fires as active elements against fire.
• Cleansing maintenance:  This is an aspect of care before, during and after the job, revising after the welding operation to see if there are no spark incandescent particles that could start a fire.
  
  

Texfire offers a flame retardant range oriented to welding protection that includes:

1. Fire blankets, in three levels of protection, according to temperature, distance and welding technique worked.

2. Welding protection screens.

3. Flame retardant accessories for individual protection, like:

• Flame retardant welder bandana.
• Apron for welders.
• Pillow for welders, flame retardant, impermeable and slip-resistant thought to ease welders a higher comfort when working in uncomfortable positions.