Thread: Propane/HX Fires from Carpet Cleaning Truckmounts, Do's and Don'ts

Well it is great that you give people choice Duane. You have no axe to grind in way of choice. Some people will ALWAYS never like a particular heating method or another regardless. So just point out the perceived advantages/dis-advantages or each and let them decide. Be content that they picked your equipment to get the job done out of the many choices out there. That is the real win.

Originally Posted by b18cyacrx

This may be off the subject a little but has anyone heard of a portable ever catching fire and if so what brand and what was the outcome?

Willy Parson Ninja Caught fire; Ask him about details sometimes.

I traded a couple of smaller units for a 4 ht; omg It gives my kero a run for it's money. I love my propane heaters. I have always had a love for rooms full of steam; no better way to clean imho.

Originally Posted by rjfdube

Willy Parson Ninja Caught fire; Ask him about details sometimes.

Rickie, just so folks don't get the wrong idea, the fire didn't start in the Ninja, it was in his van when a mechanic caught the van on fire trying to loosen a nut with a torch.

Like I said didn't know the details; man it was ruined from the pics I have seen.

Unfortunately, HX systems are not immune. As Duane already pointed out, a fuel leak, fed by the slide-in's fuel pump can be the culprit, as well as having something combustible fall onto a hot exhaust, or an electrical problem.

I personally think if an operator follows correct operating procedures and does regular checks/maintenance (replacing old hoses, etc.) the likelyhood of a fire would be almost nonexistant.

Its really common sense. You don't throw gas on an open fire, so keep the tanks out of the vans & trailers, mount them outside.

I've used oil and propane fired machines for 22yrs. Its not the machine, its not the burners its the person running them...PERIOD!

The ONLY problem I've had is the idiots filling the tanks, the bleed off the propane while filling and STUFF the tank, causing the bleeder to go off once in awhile. If they stuff one of my tanks over 80% I make them bleed it off and re-credit me for the other 20% they over filled. I now fill my own tanks at the propane fueling station per the OWNER, because their OWN people can't seem to get it right. My techs fill theirs as well.

On a side note, and I'm sure you were looking for fire damaged vans Rob, but the second photo down (small one) is one of my local competitors and if I remember right that was GASOLINE induced fire not propane, but I'll call him and ask its been awhile, I was only 5 blocks away in the same neighborhood, just didn't stop, I'm sure they felt embarrassed.

Originally Posted by Vinnie

Are all those fires propane or are some HX systems as well. Or is a HX system fire proof.

The vast majority are propane.