That's a good observation. The explosion occurred within the air mixture so it was just the pressure differential that caused the shipment container to pressurize rapidly. The results would have been much different if the propane tank itself had exploded.
The BBQ was not subjected to differential pressure during the explosion, since it was inside the explosion it got the same over pressure from all sides at once. Still.... The thing doesn't even look scorched!
It must take some serious force to open up a shipping container like that, anybody anywhere near could have been killed, quite a scary situation, and one to keep in mind
my father was the superintendent that was blown up ! Called me in the hospital later that day .. sprained wrist! lucky to still have him :) unlucky truck of his though.. see the damage ? XD
It's not often you get the air fuel mixture this perfect.....if it had gone off with the doors relocked it would have taken out the whole block. He didn't smell anything because propane is heavier than air so it would have spilled out the container like water not reaching his head. It was probably the air he let into the container that caused it to blow as the drinks cooler would have cycled through the night. Propane is at it's most explosive when 95% of the mix is air.
Well, not gonna get their deposit back on that one...... I can see the desire to keep the tank inside though, storage outside would probably result in a missing tank pretty quickly.
Maybe store such things chained on the top of the container covered by a tarp, the ladder in the container. Someone on top of a container is more conspicuous and suspicious up there outside of usual working hours. And theft - cutting cables/chains is probably more difficult to arrange.
This reminds me of a old job I had. It is not if but when this will happen again because many contractors use these containers to store fuel and equiptment overnight. My old job we built a shed for gas that wouldn't create a closed space after we complained of the fumes.
I'm surprised you didn't emphasize ALWAYS turning off the tank valve more! My parents drilled that one into my sisters and my heads VERY clearly, and our grill and tank are ALWAYS stored outside! If you're done cooking, turn off the tank and bleed the tube!
I paused the second they said they left the tank connected... Like wtf? (I think I should also mention I must of transfered hundreds of propane tanks to customers) You carefully handle it and set it down in an outside secured ventilated container....
Being lazy probably. Generally leaving the valve open isn't an issue, but you are also not generally moving the setup and closing it in a metal box. Also these grills don't make accessing the valve easy.
Definitely something so easy to overlook. They use the container to keep all the food and drink equipment. Note to self, always close the propane tank main valve. In storage like them, definitely disconnect the pressure regulator to provide a obvious visual confirmation.
Had a U-haul trailer blow up going down the road in my district from the same scenario. Sheriff's Deputy caught it happen on his dashcam. Trailer just vaporized...
I don’t know if you’re asking seriously, but it’s pretty hard to get all of the energy out of that propane, and it’s rather impractical as intentional explosive. Consider the large volume of the air fuel mix needed here.
Why do you think that? I've seen plenty without it. Pretty much any other gas appliance has some form of this, but usually not the most basic ones. It's also probably assumed these portable grills are used outside, and the safety feature isn't as important there.
My first grade teacher was in a similar, albeit not as severe situation, they had the grill in a gazebo/shed type thing with an open roof, and the valve was left open on the propane tank. She lit a cigarette and the gas exploded, destroying the gazebo/damaging the side of their house and fence. Luckily she only experienced ruptured eardrums and some bangs and bruises. Scary stuff. Propane is no joke.
Ok I know this was a serious situation but I have to say... The guy that left grill like that is the reason the team can’t have nice things anymore XD. But for real i’m glad no one was seriously injured.
