Flashback arrestor

A flashback arrestor[1] or flash arrestor is a gas safety device most commonly used in oxy-fuel welding and cutting to stop the flame or reverse flow of gas back up into the equipment or supply line.

Flashback arrestors as safety products are essential to secure the workplaces and working environment.

The simplest flashback arrestor consists of a metallic tube filled with iron wool, which cools the flame below the ignition temperature.

Flashback arrestors help prevent: According to the standard DIN EN ISO 5175-1 (formerly EN 730-1) they include a minimum of two safety elements: A gas non-return valve (NV), which: and a flame arrestor (FA), which: In addition to these two basic safety functions a flashback arrestor can also have a: Thermal cut-off valve (TV), which: and a pressure-sensitive gas cut-off valve (PV), which stops the gas flow in the event of pressure shocks The flashback arrestors are suitable for most technical gases (fuel gases) such as acetylene, hydrogen, methane, propane, propylene and butane as well as oxygen and compressed air.

This makes them mainly only suitable for large or fixed installations and the liquid level needs to be constantly checked.