NEBOSH Practice Test

What does the acronym BLEVE stand for?

1. Boiling Liquid Evaporating Vapor Explosion

2. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Energy

3. Burning Liquid Explosion with Vapor Energy

4. Boiling Liquid Eradicating Vapor Emission

The correct answer is: Boiling Liquid Evaporating Vapor Explosion

BLEVE stands for Boiling Liquid Evaporating Vapor Explosion. This term is significant in the context of industrial safety and hazard management because it describes a specific type of explosion that occurs when a vessel containing a pressurized liquid (usually a flammable liquid) fails, resulting in the rapid vaporization of the liquid. In the scenario of a BLEVE, the rapid increase in temperature leads to an explosive expansion of the vapor. This phenomenon can happen when a vessel is heated, causing the liquid inside to reach boiling point, which can lead to catastrophic explosions if not managed correctly. Understanding BLEVE is essential for safety professionals, as it informs them of the risks associated with handling pressurized liquids and the necessary precautions to prevent such dangerous situations. The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of BLEVE. For instance, "Burning Liquid Explosion with Vapor Energy" does not convey the boiling and evaporating aspect central to the definition of BLEVE, and "Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Energy" misses the critical component of explosion. Additionally, "Boiling Liquid Eradicating Vapor Emission" introduces terms that do not correlate with the recognized definition of BLEVE, which could lead to misunderstandings around the risks associated with high-pressure liquid environments.