Page 194 - AMS Driver Training Manual Version 2 2024

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

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 193 of 197

Reviewed May 2024