The Ministry of Science and Technology concluded, on November 12, that bad-quality petrol is the cause for massive automobile and motorbike fires in Hanoi and other localities.
Substandard petrol blamed for vehicle fires
This is the result of a research on identifying the cause for recent vehicle fires and their prevention in the future, which was conducted by the Vietnam Register in co-operation with the Vietnam Institute of Industrial Chemistry’s Laboratory for Petrochemical and Refinery Technologies as well as the Hanoi University of Technology’s School of Transportation Engineering.
The research group was a comprehensive analysis of vehicles, fuel and fuel consumption.
According to the research results, good-quality fuel, which met national standards is not to blame for the outbreak of fires. But some other substandard fuels, containing additives to increase RON content can affect vehicle operation.
Trinh Ngoc Giao, Head of the Vietnam Register, proposed that Vietnam create comprehensive regulations on vehicle fire prevention, in line with international practices.
“Petrol A83 should not be used anymore," he said, adding that. "Investment is needed in the processing methods to create fuel with a higher RON content. This will help to avoid the use of substances such as naphtha condensate. Scientists have recommended tightening control over the use of such additives in fuel processing,” said Giao.
The public were also advised to buy fuels with trusted brands, insinuating that using fuels with unknown origins could be the cause of the fires.
Mr. Giao emphasised that more research is needed for thorough understanding of the causes for vehicle fires. These, he said, would focus on the effects of using additives and fuel on vehicle parts, the possibility of creating fires, the impact to engine parts as well as the environmental impacts. The results of the studies are expected to be submitted to the Government and will serve as base for creating new regulations on vehicle fire prevention and safety.
