Diesel School Bus bursts into flames - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jbach36 · #1 03-30-2008, 11:13 PM

Just watching the news here in Atlanta, they showed a bus that started smoking, the driver got all the kids off, then they said it "burst into flames". I'm sure it's a diesel bus, it's a regular full size one.

How hot would diesel fuel have to get to "burst" into flames? I guess diesel can catch on fire if it gets hot enough, but I've tried just a small amount spilled onto my driveway, using a fireplace flame starter, and I couldn't catch it on fire.

jeff

imagesinthewind · #2 03-30-2008, 11:20 PM

Not all the Blue Birds are diesel. I've seen plenty of them in my area that are gassers. Maybe the bus on the news was also a gasser. Can't see a diesel bursting into flames.

TylerH860 · #3 03-30-2008, 11:24 PM

I know that during my school years, not that long ago, the buses were all gassers, even the full size ones.

lietuviai · #4 03-30-2008, 11:36 PM

I don't know if it's a Federal law, but school buses are required to be diesels because of the fire hazard of gasoline.

bustedbenz · #5 03-30-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

I don't know if it's a Federal law, but school buses are required to be diesels because of the fire hazard of gasoline.

Anybody else find this hysterical, given the context?

lietuviai · #6 03-31-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

Anybody else find this hysterical, given the context?

Maybe I should have worded it, "in the event of a crash".
I find nothing hysterical about child safety.

bustedbenz · #7 03-31-2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

Maybe I should have worded it, "in the event of a crash".
I find nothing hysterical about child safety.

Bad choice of word. I meant the whole "because of the danger of gasoline fires" on an article about a presumably diesel bus burning, was somewhat ironic.

As everybody was safe, I guess I wasn't thinking enough. Sorry.

lietuviai · #8 03-31-2008, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

Bad choice of word. I meant the whole "because of the danger of gasoline fires" on an article about a presumably diesel bus burning, was somewhat ironic.

As everybody was safe, I guess I wasn't thinking enough. Sorry.

Mine as well. No harm done.

#9 03-31-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

I find nothing hysterical about child safety.

Even though they are worried about the fuel bursting into flames but not students flying out of their seats in an accident because there are no seatbelts?

C Sean Watts · #10 03-31-2008, 07:15 AM

You know?

"Eight flames a-burstin'"

Glad the kids are OK.

lietuviai · #11 03-31-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Even though they are worried about the fuel bursting into flames but not students flying out of their seats in an accident because there are no seatbelts?

I agree there. There's quite a bit of inconsistency when it comes to seat belt laws. It your private car you have to use all kinds of supplemental restraints until the child is 4-9. What if you're an adult and less than 4-9?

Knightrider966 · #12 03-31-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

I don't know if it's a Federal law, but school buses are required to be diesels because of the fire hazard of gasoline.

Anybody find this hysterical, given the context? quoted by bustedbenz!
And a great one too!

Yeah, I do since I got into a stupid argument with Leathermang about using HC's in my Cars AC and his argument that this is a fire hazard and not safe. My reply, Gasoline isn't safe in a moving vehicle and if HC's are so dangerous, then why are propane powered vehicles not? ROFLMAO!

Then we went to legalities, making me glad we live in different states! ROFLMAO!!

And gasoline is stored in mobile plastic vehicle tanks!

Thank you for putting up this post showing how this position is so not logical!

I'm glad all the kids got out!

I cannot imagine diesel bursting into flames! I've tried to ignite it with a Mapp Gas torch and it still doesn't "burst into flames".

bustedbenz · #13 03-30-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbach36

How hot would diesel fuel have to get to "burst" into flames? I guess diesel can catch on fire if it gets hot enough, but I've tried just a small amount spilled onto my driveway, using a fireplace flame starter, and I couldn't catch it on fire.

jeff

Maybe it was an electrical system instead of a fuel system that burned? Just a thought.

Diesel911 · #14 03-30-2008, 11:44 PM

It might be poetic license by the news writers. I can remember the news caster after ther FBI burn out of the Branch Dividians getting excited about Hand Gernades found in the burn site. No on bothered to think about how a Hand Gernade full of explosive would survive a fire; especially a gasoline fire. The answer is that they were inert practice type Gernades that you can by at any Surplus Store of even at Swap Meets/Flea Markets. But the whole truth dose not make good copy.

bustedbenz · #15 03-31-2008, 02:29 PM

Perhaps.... but I can easily see the argument for wanting to get young people OUT after the crisis with a minimum of fuss... one bent bracket on a safety bar, one buckle that the kindergartener doesn't know how to un-fasten... after a crisis event, the time it would take to go bail everybody out of the safety systems seems like a bigger risk.

The high seat backs are probably high for the purpose of preventing launches. Severe bruises, etc, perhaps... but I think the odds of people being hurt and/or entrapped by safety devices is more likely than getting hurt because they weren't protected enough.

Remember that not every kid on the bus has our strength to force bent metal out of the way, a pocket knife to slice a seat belt that won't unfasten, etc.... or the presence of mind to deal with a crisis that involves more than "RUN!"