I was wondering with NOS if you get into an accident will there be an extra danger present with a full bottle in your car? Is there any chance of it exploding, causing fires, etc.

 

Nitrous isn't flammable. However, a physical rupture in a cylinder containing 3000psi of anything is very, very ugly. I've seen pics where it happened..the entire back half of the car just about was shredded. The garage door behind it was toast to, in one series I saw of a Maxima that left his bottle heater on.

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There is very little risk, however there is a chance of a serious problem occuring.

the bottle is very strong and is not very easy to rupture in an accident, but a particularly nasty and extremely hard hit could possibly bust it. A little more likely though the valve could be broken off and the nitrous could escape the bottle. If the bottle isn't bolted down well and the valve is broken off the bottle could become a missile.
Nitrous is a cryogenic gas. Anyone close to the valve durring a rapid discharge could suffer from frostbite.
Without ventilation after a discharge inside of the car passengers could be asphixiated.
While nitrous itself is not flammable it is a powerful oxidizer.
This means it will accelerate the combustion of flammable materials.

Given these worst case scenerios, yes nitrous can be dangerous. Given common sense and safe handling it is relatively safe though.

If in doubt about it don't drive around with the bottle in the car unless you intend to use it.

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Tracy /AKA IROCKZ4me
'86 IROC-Z Camaro
"Cogito ergo zoom"

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Only if the right conditions are present for decomposition of nitrous oxide.

 

That is correct, it would take extreme heat to seperate the nitrogen and oxygen, or the interaction of another element to liberate the oxygen.