Why is acetylene dangerous
Acetylene presents a unique risk, in comparison to all other bottled gases, due to its instability. Heating or mechanical shock can cause the acetylene to heat up and possibly explode. This can put the public and firefighters at immediate risk and lead to massive consequential disruption and financial loss in the public and private sector. The risk of explosion can remain for up to 24 hours, unlike all other gases which are safe once the initial fire has been extinguished and the cylinder is cooled. In the past, whole acetylene cylinders and fragments have travelled nearly 200m following an explosion.
