Search Results

The benefit provided by the use of ‘fire resistant’ hydraulic fluids is most completely assessed by the use of risk assessment. To perform a risk assessment is an involved process demanding significant input on fluid fire properties. The most convenient source of such information is small-scale laboratory fire tests. This paper describes a programme of such tests which can be used as input to such a process and assist in fluid selection by allowing ranking fluid performance in different situations.

Triaryl phosphates have been used as fire-resistant hydraulic fluids in hazardous applications for many years and are currently finding new markets. There have, however, been some historical concerns regarding their toxicity and ease of handling. This paper reviews the available test data (including the most recent ecotoxicity information) and confirms that commercially-available products have a generally favourable toxicity and ecotoxicity profile.