What is a BLEVE?

A BLEVE, or Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, occurs when a container holding a pressurized liquid undergoes a failure, typically due to exposure to heat. When the container is compromised, the rapid release of pressure allows the liquid to boil violently, transforming into vapor and expanding quickly. This can lead to a powerful explosion, which is particularly dangerous if the liquid is flammable, as it can ignite and cause significant damage and hazards.

Understanding the nature of a BLEVE is crucial for fire investigators, as these incidents can occur in fires involving tanks of liquefied gases like propane or butane. The phenomenon underscores the importance of examining failure points in storage tanks to prevent such disastrous outcomes during fire incidents.

The other options presented do not accurately define this explosive process, as they either misrepresent the components involved or are not recognized terms related to explosive vapor dynamics.