A flame arrester (also spelled arrestor), deflagration arrester,or flame trap is a device that stops fuel combustion by extinguishing the flame.
Flame arresters are used:
- to stop the spread of an open fire
- to limit the spread of an explosive event that has occurred
- to protect potentially explosive mixtures from igniting
- to confine fire within an enclosed, controlled, or regulated location
- to stop the propagation of a flame traveling at sub-sonic velocities
They are commonly used on:
- fuel storage tank vents
- fuel gas pipelines
- safety storage cabinets for paint, aerosol cans, and other flammable mixtures
- the exhaust system of internal combustion engines
- the air intake of marine inboard engines
- Davy lamps in coal mining
- overproof rum and other flammable liquors
