Basic Operations Firefighter Certification Practice Exam

What is a property or hazard associated with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)?

1. It is lighter than air

2. It is heavier than air

3. It is odorless

4. It is colorless

The correct answer is: It is heavier than air

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is heavier than air, which means that when it leaks, it can accumulate in low-lying areas, creating a potential hazard for fire and explosion. Understanding this property is crucial for safety, as it informs responders of how LPG behaves in the event of a leak. Since LPG is denser than air, it does not disperse quickly into the atmosphere; instead, it can linger and concentrate, increasing the risk of ignition. The other properties, such as being odorless and colorless, are true for LPG in its pure state, but the gas is typically mixed with an odorant to give it a distinctive smell for safety reasons. Noting that it is lighter than air is incorrect because it implies that it would rise and disperse quickly, which is not the case with LPG. The understanding of these characteristics aids firefighters and emergency responders in assessing risks and implementing appropriate safety measures when dealing with LPG incidents.