Alcohol fuelled devices – also known as ethanol burners and ethanol fireplaces - are sold for heating and display purposes.

Burners are typically fuelled with liquid ethanol. The most common form is methylated spirits, often marketed as bio-ethanol or eco-fuel.

On Friday, 2 June 2023, a hotel worker was topping up the fluid in an ethanol fireplace when the vapour exploded. The fireball resulted in serious burns to the worker’s body and fire damage to the surrounding area.

The worker remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Safety requirements

A mandatory safety standard for decorative alcohol-fuelled devices sold in Australia was introduced in July 2017. According to the standard, devices must:

• be a permanent fixture, or weigh at least 8kg and have a footprint of at least 900 sq cm
• meet the stability test set out in the European Standard
• be supplied with a fuel container with a flame arrester or an automatic fuel pump system
• be labelled with the prescribed warning.

Managing risks

• develop a safe system of work to ensure control measures are in place to eliminate ignition hazards prior to refuelling
• consider the positioning of equipment for safe access
• only use the recommended fuel for the device
• when refilling, first check the flame is extinguished and ensure the device is cool
• for devices with fuel tanks that must be removed for refuelling:
  • ensure the device has cooled down and then remove the fuel tank from the device before refilling
  • when refilling, only use containers with a flame arrester
• for devices with fuel tanks that don't need to be removed for refuelling and are supplied with fuel containers with flame arresters:
  • Ensure the device has cooled down and only use containers with a flame arrester
• refuel away from heat and possible ignition sources, including hot parts, vapours or flames
• refuel in well-ventilated areas
• clean up spills immediately, as pooled vapours may explode when the device is relit
• ensure workers refuelling equipment are aware of fire risks and are trained and competent to perform the task
• if there is a fire - use a powder extinguisher or a fire blanket to smother the fire. If you cannot control the fire, move away from it and contact emergency services by calling 000.

Further information

• Decorative alcohol fuelled devices – ACCC mandatory standard
• Don’t fuel the fire - ethanol burner safety awareness film – Fair Trading QLD