Producer Gas Danger Of Fire

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1941, Page 8

Producer Gas Danger Of Fire

Because of the possibility of fires being started, particularly on the sides of country reads, by ashes or other material from producers gas equipment, the executive of the Canterbury Progress League recently decided to draw the Government's attention to steps being taken in Australia to introduce legislation regulating the lighting and handling of producer gas plants.

The executive’s motion arose after the league’s organiser (Mr. P. R. Climie) had read an extract from the “South Australian Motor” stating that a bill had been introduced in Parliament to amend the Bush Fires Act to guard against the danger of fire from vehicles fitted with the equipment. The bill, if passed, would prohibit lighting the plant or opening entrances to parts containing hot ashes or similar material which might emit sparks or fire unless the ground for 12ft. round was clear of all stubble, scrub, or other inflammable material. Provisions were also made in the bill for the compulsory extinguishing of materials emptied from the plant; for the fitting of the plant in such a way as to prevent the escape of sparks, ashes, or burning gas; and for its construction to be such that the outside surface would not be likely to heat sufficiently to ignite stubble or grass.