Flammable materials/substances

The EPA requires the following consequence analyses (1) A single worst-case release scenario is analyzed for all covered flammable materials on the site, and only one flammable substance is analyzed for other more likely scenarios and (2) a single worst-case release scenario is analyzed for all toxic substances on the site, and more likely releases are analyzed for each toxic substance covered by the rule. 

These concentrations are considerably below the LFL of 1.4% by volume, which illustrates that the specified ventilation rate for Class I liquids is satisfactory for handling relatively large spills of flammable materials. The concentrations do, however, exceed the TLV for this substance. 

Melting Point (mp). This is the temperature at which the solid and liquid forms of a substance exist in equilibrium. This value indicates at what temperature flammable materials that are solid at room temperature may become flammable liquids... 

Flameproof (or Fireproof) Compounds are substances used to impregnate various flammable materials to make them fire-resistant or capable of burning without flame. Numerous compns are given in Refs 1 2. (See also Fire-Resistant Textiles and Fire-Retardant Paints) Refs 1) H. Bennet, "The Chemical Formulary , Vol 1-7, Van Nostrand, NY(1933—... 

Before lighting a flame, remove all flammable substances from the immediate area. Check all containers of flammable materials in the area to ensure that they are tightly closed. 

Special flammable materials First class petroleum substances Alcohols... 

List classes of chemicals or specific substances with which the substance or mixture could react to produce a hazardous situation (e.g. explosion, release of toxic or flammable materials, liberation of excessive heat). 

Materials which may affect other materials stored in their vicinity should be handled in accordance with a written procedure. Rodenticides, insecticides, fumigating agents and sanitizing materials should not be permitted to contaminate equipment, starting materials, packaging materials, in-process materials or finished products. Toxic substances and flammable materials should be clearly marked as such and should be stored in suitably designed, separate, enclosed areas as required by national legislation. Flammable substances should be kept away from corrosive or oxidant substances at all times. 

For the worst case evaluation, the weight of flammable material in a vapor cloud is assumed to be the total quantity of the substance that could be released from a vessel or pipeline. For liquids, this assumption infers that the liquid is above its atmospheric-pressure boiling point and that 100% flashing to vapor occurs. Also, the entire quantity of vapor is assumed to have concentrations between the lower and upper flammability limits and that the entire quantity explodes, with an energy-conversion efficiency e of 0.10. For mixtures, the weight-average heat of combustion would be used in the above equation. 

Provision should be made for the proper and safe storage of waste materials awaiting disposal. Toxic substances and flammable materials should be stored in suitably designed, separate, enclosed cupboards, as required by national legislation. 

All equipment designated for use with flammable substances or chemicals or in areas where flammable materials are used, shall be equipped with explosion-proof electrical parts and should be property grounded. 

The hydroxides and carbonates of aUcali-and alkaline-earth metals are noncombustible. The strong caustic alkalies, however, react exothermically with many substances, including water and concentrated acids, generating heat that can ignite flammable materials. The violent reactions of alkalies, resulting in... 

Methyl acrylate is stored in a flammable-materials storage room or cabinet below 20°C (68°F), separated from oxidizing substances. It is inhibited with 200 ppm of hydroquinone monomethyl ether to prevent self-polymerization. It is shipped in bottles, cans, drums, or tank cars. 

Laboratory storage practices may enhance or diminish overall laboratory safety. There are many factors to be considered in addition to those concerned with flammable materials, briefly touched upon in Chapter 3 in the design and selection of facilities and equipment for those specific substances. Among these are the amount, location, and organization of the stored chemicals. The types of vessels in which they are contained and the information on the container labels are important. Some types of materials represent special hazards for which specific protective measures may be indicated or perhaps are mandatory due to regulations. The following sections will address these topics. 

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