General Knowledge · Accident Procedures
A driver's fuel tank is leaking after an accident, and the driver needs to place warning devices. What does federal regulation say about using a lighted fusee near the leak?
1.No flame-producing warning device may be placed at a distance from the leak that would not prevent a fire or explosionCorrect answer
2.Fusees may always be placed at the standard 10-foot and 100-foot positions, regardless of a fuel leak
3.The restriction on flame-producing devices applies only to vehicles placarded for hazardous materials
4.The restriction on flame-producing devices applies only at night, never during daylight hours of operation
Explanation
Federal regulation prohibits placing or lighting a flame-producing warning device, such as a fusee, at any distance from a leaking flammable liquid or gas that would not assure the prevention of a fire or explosion, under 49 CFR 392.22(b)(2)(vi); reflective triangles, which produce no flame, remain the safe choice near a leak. The wrong options each miss this safety override: the standard placement distances do not excuse placing an open flame near a fuel leak, the restriction is not limited to hazmat-placarded vehicles since any leaking fuel tank creates the same fire risk, and nothing in the rule limits it to nighttime.
Source: 49 CFR 392.22(b)(2)(vi)
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