SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS

File: 970313_jun96_decls1_0009.txt
Page: 0009
Total Pages: 35

Subject: SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS                           

Unit: VII CORPS   

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box  ID: BX000249

Folder Title: ENGR PLAN INTEL                                                                                 

Document Number:          9

Folder Seq  #:         84




                                                UNCLASSIFIED



              AST-266OZ-148-ga
              .9 January 1991


              (U) te iqefem will                     The intense heat from oil-well fires is
              instantly lethal'.@w-i-th.i-n--2'00 meters (600 feet) of an oil-well fire.   In this
              zone,   only unmanned remote-controlled vehicles or robotic equipment should
              enter within 200 meters (600 feet) of the fire. Air temperatures will exceed
              IOOOC (2120F), and this intense heat will blister paint, cause rubber to
              smolder, soften plastics, possibly melt soft metal alloys, and scorch the lungs
              of unprotected personnel (see fig 1).

              (U@iigi@i 44i            From 200 to 600 meters (600 to 1800 feet) from the fire
              is an extreme danger zone where all exposed personnel require airpacks and
              thermal protective suits or blankets. In this zone, air temperatures may range
              from 500 to 1000C (1220 to 2120F) nearest the fire. Inhalation of very hot, dry
              air will scorch the bronchial tree (windpipe) and damage the lungs. Personnel
              rapidly transiting this zone in closed tactical vehicles are protected, provided
              the vehicle does not stay in this zone. If the vehicle should stall or stop In
              this zone, all personnel would be in immediate peril.
              (U) t!l HeL'8             From 600 meters to I km (1800 to 3300 feet) out from
              the fire is a moderate danger zone. In this zone, air temperatures will range
              from normal ambient air temperatures up to SOOC (1220F). All personnel in this
              zone should cover all exposed skin to prevent minor skin burns from heat and
              corrosive gases. Beyond I Ian personnel generally are safe.

                  (U)  At elevated temperatures the tYS M-17A gas mask may cause harm to the
 not protect troops from the inhalation
              of very hot, dry air, which can scorch the airway and lungs.           One potential
              danger associated with wearing a gas mask in this intense heat is that the
              wearer will experience a delay in sensing the heat. Once he feels the heat, he
              could be too close to the fire and the materials in the mask could start to
              soften, deform, or degrade. Wearing a gas mask therefore may give the wearer
              a false sense of security.
              (U)
                . 4a                   Near the burning wellheads and fire trenches there could
              be air pockets depleted of oxygen and high in carbon dioxide. These areas are
              impossible to detect and could be lethal to entering troops (troops without
              airpacks) and could cause transiting vehicles to rough idle or even stall. Once
              stalled, these vehicles will be impossible to restart.
              (U)    ';GRPGMI           Smoke plumes from Kuwaiti oil-well fires are highly
              acidic and toxic and can damage exposed material. This smoke will haze trans-
              parencies (windows) of sensors and night-vision optics, and it will damage
              semiconductors, polished metal optical surfaces, electronics, and electrical
              switches. Thermal radiation and opaque carbon particulates (very fine black





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                                                 UNCLASSIFIED

Document 35 f:/Week-24/BX000249/ENGR PLAN INTEL/serious oilfire gas and smoke dangers:0128971851472
Control Fields 17
File Room = jun96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-24
Box ID = BX000249
Unit = VII CORPS
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = ENGR PLAN INTEL
Folder Seq # = 84
Subject = SERIOUS OILFIRE GAS AND SMOKE DANGERS
Document Seq # = 9
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 13-FEB-1997