Page 110 - FTL Driver Training Manual

F R E I G H T T R A N S P O R T L T D ( F T L ) D R I V E R T R A I N I N G M A N U A L V E R S I O N 2

42 Compressed Air Safety

Explosive Energy

Inflated tyres contain a large amount of stored energy. For example, the sidewall of a
typical commercial vehicle (CV) tyre has over 34 tonnes of force acting on it. Tyres are
designed to withstand this but if they are damaged or used while flat, or significantly
underinflated, they may fail.

The force can then be released explosively at an angle of up to 45 degrees from the
rupture (which is often, but not always, the face of the sidewall), resulting in a destructive
air blast and the ejection of high-speed particles that can cause serious injuries or even
death.

If the wheel is not restrained, it can fly metres through the air. Similarly, failure of multi-
piece (‘split rim’) wheels can result in explosive ejection of component parts. These types
of tyre explosion have led to numerous fatalities.

A standard size truck
tyre contains

sufficient explosive
force to lift a typical
passenger vehicle
three metres off the
ground!

Use a clip on type connector when inflating tyres with enough hose to get out of the
trajectory of any potential explosion

Do not jam open the inflator valve

Page 109 of 113