Fire cont'd - doe-hdbk-1113-98_reaffirm_2005

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Module 101 Properties of Uranium

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

Precautions must be taken to prevent chips and

filings from igniting. One precaution is submersing

the chips and filings in water or a mineral oil.

Storage in water produces hydrogen gas due to a

chemical reaction. To prevent the hydrogen gas

from reaching an explosive concentration, and to

prevent a pressure buildup, containers must be

vented. Incidents have occurred where container lids

have been blown off by unexpected gas pressure

buildup.

Once uranium starts to burn, it is extremely difficult

to extinguish. None of the typical extinguishing

methods, such as water, carbon dioxide, or halon, is

effective in fighting uranium fires. In fact, halon

may be explosive and produce toxic fumes if used

directly on the fire.

Normally, small fires may be put out by using MET-

L-X powder, which is a mixture of sodium chloride

(table salt) and potassium carbonate (baking

powder). When spread over the burning metal in

significant quantities, MET-L-X starves the fire of

oxygen.

Larger fires, such as with storage drums, are more

difficult to extinguish. Submersion in water will

eventually work once the metal cools down.

However, continuous water addition is necessary to

make up for losses due to boiling and evaporation.