 Flammable gases and oxygen are indispensable in industrial applications, for example for welding and cutting, for heating, forming, hardening or for surface treatment, as industrial and process gases in production and the laboratory or in countless other applications. Fuel gases such as acetylene and ethylene, propane and propylene, butane or methane or hydrogen mixed with oxygen have proven their value and are safe when handled correctly. However, a dangerous situation can arise at any time. Besides technical faults, the cause in most cases is just incorrect operation and human error. In the event of a flashback, the flame travels through the pipeline at twice the speed of sound. It is impossible to intervene manually and prevent the accident. The worst-case scenario, explosion of the compressed gas cylinder or gas tank. The flashback arrestor provides protection against such catastrophic failures, a multi-stage protection system based on the dry flashback arrestor that VIT launched on the market around 70 years ago. Flashback arrestors have revolutionized accident prevention with fuel gases and are used throughout the world today. A modern quality flashback arrestor made by VIT has at least three protection elements, a gas non-return valve, a flame arrestor and a temperature-sensitive cutoff valve. A pressure-sensitive cutoff valve can also be added, ensuring maximum safety. Let's have a look at the principle behind the flashback arrestor in more detail. If a hazardous situation arises and unwanted gases flow through the pipeline, the spring-loaded non-return valve will come into action. It stops the return flow instantaneously, thereby preventing the formation of an explosive gas mixture. If, on the other hand, the flashback occurs, this will be stopped immediately by the key element of the flashback arrestor, the hollow cylinder made from sintered chrome nickel steel. Only with this technology can flames from the flashback be prevented. The outstanding technical features are based on the highly porous structure of the cylinder. Incoming flames break up into an extended labyrinth, thereby losing their energy and cooling. Any flame is extinguished in a fraction of a second. The temperature-sensitive cutoff valve is the third important protection element. The integrated plastic body melts and the spring-loaded valve triggers before the device can heat dangerously. This automatic interruption of the gas supply prevents a critical ignition temperature from forming at the gas inlet. A dangerous back-burning is stopped at source and remains without damage. For maximum safety, VIT also provides a pressure-sensitive cutoff valve for various models. This additional protection element activates in the event of a flashback and interrupts the gas supply permanently. What makes it unique? A red alarm indicator makes every single flashback visible. Gas flow is only opened again after manually resetting the cutoff valve. This method ensures that no dangerous situation remains unnoticed and prevents the safety device from potentially heating. The flashback arrestor is effectively protected against dirt by a filter in the gas inlet. Flashback arrestors from VIT are compact and robust. They can be installed anywhere irrespective of the orientation. For maximum safety, the fuel gases and oxygen supply should be provided with a flashback arrestor. In many countries, this is already required by law. Choose the original for durable, low maintenance and high quality with verified safety. Safety begins with the product label. Thus, for example, flashback arrestors according to EN730 Part 1 must be labelled with the following information. Number of the standard. Manufacturer name. Model name or type designation. Gas types and maximum operating pressures. Flow direction. Safety elements of the device. The certification number of an external test body provides the certainty that compliance with the standard has been inspected by an independent authority.