Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019
Floor Speech
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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding the time, and for all of her effort and help in making sure this bill passes.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my legislation that addresses a dangerous and deadly public safety issue by directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a standard for requiring flame mitigation devices to be used in portable fuel containers and to help educate our communities about the dangers of flame jetting.
This issue is very personal to me. I met with local fire officials and Margrett Priest Lewis, a mother and constituent. Margrett's daughter, along with her twin sister and a few friends, were roasting marshmallows. Their portable fireplace used a common biofuel that, unfortunately, did not have a flame mitigation device. As Margrett's daughter went to refuel the outdoor fireplace, the fuel exploded from the bottle in a process called flame jetting, which you heard about earlier. Portable fuel containers are found in households across America and, yet, even when used correctly, like in the case of Margrett's family, present a risk for severe injury and, in some cases, death.
This story of survival and Margrett's advocacy on behalf of burn survivors has inspired my legislation, and she has been the driving force behind this bill.
Flammable or combustible liquids cause over 160,000 fires per year, $1.5 billion in property damage, and some 4,000 injuries and over 450 deaths every year. These accidents can happen in any community, and the results can be devastating. These accidents are caused when fuel vapors flash back and ignite the container contents, leading to flame to flame jetting or explosions. These accidents are easily preventable.
Flame mitigation devices can prevent accidents caused by flammable vapors igniting within liquid containers. While workplace safety regulations govern the use of approved flame mitigation devices in flammable liquid containers for industrial use, there is no requirement for consumer containers used in homes, campsites, or schools across our country.
This bipartisan solution is supported by a broad coalition, including the American Burn Association, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection Association, the Consumer Federation of America, the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, the Portable Fuel Container Manufacturers Association, and the National Association of State Fire Marshals.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the National Association of State Fire Marshals' letter of support. National Association of State Fire Marshals, Maitland, FL, September 16, 2019. Hon. Mike Thompson, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Thompson: The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) membership comprises the most senior state fire officials in the United States, with a primary mission of protecting human life, property and the environment from fire and related public safety issues. Therefore, NASFM strongly endorses H.R. 806, Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019.
Flammable or combustible liquids cause over 160,000 fires per year, causing $1.5 billion in property damage, almost 4,000 injuries and 454 deaths annually. These accidents can happen in any community, and the results can be devastating.
Flame Mitigation Devices (FMD), such as flame arresters, can help prevent accidents caused by flammable vapors igniting within the liquid container, causing an explosion or flash fire. While workplace safety regulations govern the use of approved flame arresters in flammable liquid containers for industrial use, there is no requirement for consumer containers used in homes, camp sites, and schools across the country.
H.R. 806, Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019 would address this gap by directing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a standard for requiring FMDs to be used in these containers and reduce the risk of catastrophic accidents.
Thank you again for your leadership, NASFM looks forward to working with you to enact into law this important fire safety prevention legislation. Sincerely, Jim Narva, Executive Director, National Association of State Fire Marshals.
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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member of this body to keep our constituents and their children safe by passing this bipartisan, commonsense consumer safety bill.
I thank the cosponsor, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, and, again, Chairwoman Schakowsky, for helping move this bill through her subcommittee.
Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to vote in favor of this bill.
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