Small Bottle, HUGE Fireball (How Flame Jetting Works)

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Pouring gasoline, alcohol, or other fuel over a flame can cause a ten-foot fireball to shoot out and engulf an unsuspecting victim. This week on Reactions, we’re explaining the science of flame jetting and why it happens.
Also, if you’re a chemistry teacher: the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety issued a safety alert (see link below), which recommends that the Rainbow Demonstration (performed on an open bench using flammable solvents like methanol) be discontinued immediately. This demo presents an unacceptable risk of flash fires and deflagrations that can cause serious injuries to students and teachers. Alternative experiments (see link below) are available that demonstrate the same rainbow colors but don’t use flammable solvents on an open bench.
Safety alert: www.acs.org/content/dam/acsor...
Alternate demos: www.acs.org/content/acs/en/ch...
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Credits:
Producer: Sean Parsons
Writer: Alison Le/Alexa Billow
Scientific Consultants: Adam St. John P.E., Scott Ayers P.E.
We made this video as the ACS contribution to a collaboration by a number of groups committed to helping prevent flame jetting incidents: US Chemical Safety Board, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), BEAR, Inc., Sterno Products, LLC, Office of Congressman Mike Thompson, ATF Fire Research Laboratory, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, American Burn Association, Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, Lamplight Farms, Jensen Hughes, Battelle, Health Canada and the Portable Fuel Container Manufacturers Association (PFCMA).
Sources:
• Dangers of Flaming Dri...
• ATF Fire Research Labo...
www.atf.gov/arson/atf-fire-re...
• Dangerous ‘Flame Jetti...
• The Whoosh Bottle
www.nfpa.org/News-and-Researc...
www.nfpa.org/News-and-Researc...
www.nfpa.org/Public-Education...
www.notyourturntoburn.com/flam...
bit.ly/2GRMzk7
www.abc2news.com/news/region/...
• Dangerous ‘Flame Jetti...
www.aiche.org/ccps/resources/...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flammab...
www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/47...
www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/47...
www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/47...
www.astm.org/DATABASE.CART/WO...
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles...
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles...
www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfa...
www.letamericaknow.com/resourc...
Ever wonder why dogs sniff each others' butts? Or how Adderall works? Or whether it's OK to pee in the pool? We've got you covered: Reactions a web series about the chemistry that surrounds you every day.
Produced by the American Chemical Society.

[@ToddHoff]

Is this how dragons work?

[@dropmelon]

That actually sounds plausible.

[@claqyagami6914]

LOL!

[@Moonbreaker97]

those jets look really cool in slow mo

[@fusiondew]

I thought the mannequin in the beginning was a real person and the flames were like special flames that wouldn’t hurt someone lol

[@skyhighjy1]

Can't wait to try this at the next block party!!

[@NamAnh-tm7vi]

Thank you for this easy explanation.

[@ireallyreallyhategoogle]

I was going to ask who are the idiots that poor fuel onto an open flame, but then i read the description. People need to respect fire more.

[@JCKmusicandmore]

that's why you should place the fuel first then light something about 15 feet away and throw it at what will become the fire. No jet, and it won't harm you. It WILL raise the temperature about 25 to 30 degrees for a second or two, but as long as it's not a flame yet, you can pour your liquid fuel. Then you light it and watch the fireball.

[@ytmndan]

Wish the ATF would just stick to cool shit like this instead of all of the stepping.

[@beachboardfan9544]

aw man now all flammable fluid bottles are going to have to come with flame arresters on them

[@jennali9800]

won't be too hard to remove...

[@GuidoPerdomo]

I love the music on this video

[@XSpImmaLion]

NEVER pour flamable liquids directly into a fire... it's not only about flame jetting, it's also about explosions. I've seen it happening with empty plastic alcohol bottles. It ain't pretty, and enough to cause injury to someone nearby. Even the sound of it could rupture eardrums.

[@JCKmusicandmore]

exactly. once i was trying to pour alcohol onto a fire as it was fixing to die and it blew the bottle back about 4 feet and the sound was similar to a bass boosted song crossed with ripping fabric.

[@coletteholston7192]

just saw someone get burned up horribly by this that’s why i can’t yo this video horrific burns

[@superdupergrover9857]

wow. it's a jet powered flame thrower

[@psychogat3]

im like a minute in and it looks like its caused by fire traveling into the container and the pressure causes the liquid to shoot out. so im guessing it only happens with containers that are around half full.

[@lazyperfectionist1]

Whoo. 😳 Chemistry is dangerous.

[@jv_lanza]

sure it is. thats why we must have a lot of security norms that must be followed

[@Snow-fb7oy]

What's the best way to put out a fire?

[@christine1902]

Snow depends on what the fuel is.

[@ireallyreallyhategoogle]

Depriving it of oxygen.

[@AdityaMehendale]

Spray-Foam --> Works in nearly all circumstances of household incidents, can be used preventatively, does minimal damage of its own and is available in a handy format.. But it surely depends on what the fuel is.

[@jacobvanoosterhout5281]

Not start one in the first place.

[@JCKmusicandmore]

Well, if it's a camping fire, use dirt. It smothers the flame and doesn't allow as much smoke. If it's a household fire, a fire extinguisher or something sticky or foamy, but make sure it's not flammable or you run the risk of making a bigger fire.

[@bruceliu1657]

use space water bottles.

[@willythemailboy2]

You somehow missed the most obvious safety precaution to take: don't pour toward other people or flammable materials.

[@supahsmartie6]

3:11

[@willythemailboy2]

She did not. She said "don't pour near flames or sources of ignition". Not the same thing.

[@JCKmusicandmore]

if you're pouring away from you and other people, theoretically you'd be fine

[@OldSchoolParatrooper]

Did anyone not already know how this works? This was like 2nd or 3rd grade stuff when I was growing up.

[@TsimRosengren]

Who would spend money on researching This?? Any person could figure IT out in seconds..