What is the risk associated with oxygen equipment around ignition sources on a plane?

• A. Oxygen supports combustion and can ignite with sparks; keep away from flames and ignition sources.
• B. Oxygen is entirely safe near flames.
• C. Oxygen eliminates all fire hazards.
• D. Oxygen does not affect combustion.

Answer: (A)

Oxygen acts as an oxidizer, which means it fuels and speeds up combustion. Around oxygen equipment on a plane, even a small spark, heat, or static discharge can ignite materials more readily and cause a fire to start and spread quickly. The oxygen itself doesn’t burn, but it makes fires burn hotter and faster, so keeping equipment away from flames and ignition sources is essential for safety. This is why oxygen procedures emphasize avoiding ignition sources near oxygen supplies and fittings, and why statements claiming oxygen is safe near flames or that it eliminates fire hazards or has no effect on combustion are incorrect.