WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Hi,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZthT5nwFkJg

Could someone tell me at approx 3:35 the back window shatters, could this be caused by what I believe is the high pressure of the water?

I haven't attended a car fire and so can't give you confirmed answer but it is probably a combination of the pressure and the sudden cooling of the glass. I expect it was more to do with the cooling but the heat may have made the glass soft enough that window would have shattered very easily anyway.

Window shatters outwards as well until gravity kicks in. My *guess* is also the pressure from the steam tipping it over the threshold.

The window shattered because of the heat difference, it was hot and then you put cold water on it and any glass will just shatter like that. I am surprised that there was no BA involved.

yorky wrote:Window shatters outwards as well until gravity kicks in. My *guess* is also the pressure from the steam tipping it over the threshold.

Going off what Helitak has said it would probably shatter the other way if you put water on the other side because of the way it cools even if you'd used a hose pipe.

yorky wrote:My *guess* is also the pressure from the steam tipping it over the threshold.

I believe yorky is right on the money. The temperature in the car, after being fully involved for at least 3 1/2 minutes (it is already burning when the video starts), would be tremendous. Given the fact that the window pops within 4 seconds of water being introduced in to the vehicle (not sprayed directly on to the glass) would indicate a sudden pressure increase due steam production. Anyone who has poured/sprayed a significant quantity of water on to a VERY hot fire will have experienced how violent the steam eruption can be.

I thought the hose had been aimed up at the window? Oh well maybe not, either way too late to watch again, either pressure in the car or a sudden cooling effect could cause the window to shatter.