Flammable substances, control

A vacuum condenser has vacuum equipment (such as steam jets) pulling the noncondensibles out of the cold end of the unit. A system handling flammable substances has a control valve between the condenser and Jets (an air bleed is used to control nonflammable systems). The control method involves derating part of the tube surface by blajiketing it with noncondensibles that exhibit poor... 

Prevention of arson Control access at all times Screen employees and casual labour Lock away flammable substances and keep combustibles away from doors, windows, fences Provide regular fire safety patrols, even where automatic systems are provided Secure particularly storage and unmanned areas... 

The death knell for pneumatic control equipment has been predicted for at least the past 15 years. So far this has not happened, but it is still predicted. The major reason why pneumatic equipment is so popular is that the pneumatic control valve is cheap and requires little maintenance. The pneumatic system also has the advantage of posing no problems in the presence of flammable substances. (Extreme care must be exercised if electrical signals are used in such environments.) One major problem with pneumatic systems is the delay encountered in sending a pneumatic signal over 300 ft (90 m). However, this can usually be avoided by mounting the controller next to the unit instead of in the control room. This does not affect the monitoring of the process, which can still be done in a remote location. 

Flammable substances used and stored in the laboratory are also subject to further risk assessment and control in UK law under the the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the COSHH Regulations 2002, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

Act (1974) provides the main framework for health and safety, it is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations of 1994 and 1996 that impose strict legal requirements for risk assessment wherever chemicals are used. Within this context, the use of the terms hazard and risk are very important. A hazardous substance is one that has the ability to cause harm, whereas risk is about the likelihood that the substance may cause harm. Risk is often associated with the quantity of material being used. For example, a large volume of a flammable substance obviously poses a greater risk than a very small quantity. Your laboratory will operate its own safety scheme, so ensure that you are aware of what it is and follow it. 

An application for a fire certificate should be made by the responsible person (that is, the person having control of the premises who may or may not be the occupier). The particulars to be included in an application are listed in schedule 2 of the Regulations. Such matters as address and description of premises, nature of processes carried on, nature and quantities of explosives or highly flammable substances and maximum number of persons likely to be in any building are to be included. If required the applicant must furnish plans, not only of the premises to be covered by the certificate but also of adjoining premises. 

In order to control the radiation of heat it is important to maintain the maximum separation either by insulation or by distance between the source and the substance and in particular to ensure that there is no direct contact between the two. To minimise the convective risk it is important for the flammable substance not to be located directly over the heat source or for its vertical distance above a heat source to be the maximum possible. 

Many tools generate hot surfaces in their use, others use heat for their operation and some give off incandescent particles in their operation. In circumstances where a flammable substance may be present, the use of such tools must be controlled. For burning, welding and grinding, the area in which the work has to be done should be clearly defined and surrounded by a non-flammable curtain, all flammable debris should be removed and standby firemen should be at the ready. When soldering irons are used insulated rests should be available and used. 

If demolition or refurbishment is to be undertaken, then hazards associated with structural collapse, fire, working at height, lifting and carrying and electricity must be considered together with health hazards from lead, asbestos, vermin and insects. As mentioned in Chapter 10, a structural survey before work commenced should reduce the risk of unintentional structural collapse. The issue of hot work permits, provision of fire-fighting equipment and suitable storage facilities for flammable substances should control the fire risk. Health risks can be controlled, for example, by the use of licensed contractors for the removal of asbestos, specialist contractors to eradicate vermin and the provision of suitable personal protective equipment. 

There must also be a person designated to control fuel-source hazards, which include combustible and flammable substances (29 CFR 1910.39). This person must audit the grounds and schedule waste removal and storage activities. 

Toxic Substance Control Act Time-Weighted Average Uniform Building Code Upper Explosive Limit Uniform Fire Code Upper Flammable Limit Underwriters Laboratories United States Code U. S. Coast Guard Underground Storage Tank Ultraviolet... 

The boiier shouid be sited in such a way that spilled material can be easily controlled >- Hazardous material (flammable substances) must be removed from within close proximity >- The equipment must be supervised by a competent supervisor in particular relating to the bitumen level, temperature and lid securing devices >- Gas cylinders should be secured in a vertical position, fitted with a regulator and flashback arrestor and be sited at least 3 metres from the burner... 

To control the obtaining, keeping and use of explosive or highly flammable substances... 

Details of controls covering substances hazardous to health and flammable substances... 

To control the use, handling, storage and transportation of explosives and highly flammable substances. 

Substances applied to or incorporated in a combustible material (e.g. organic polymers, nylon, vinyl and rubber, etc.) to reduce flammability. Act by retarding ignition, control/douse burning, reduce smoke evolution. Slow down or interrupt the self-sustained combustion cycle when the heat-flux is limited. Flame retardants (FRs) improve the combustion behaviour and alter the combustion process (cool, shield, dilute, react) so that decomposition products will differ from nonflame retarded articles. FRs are usually divided into three classes ... 

The concept of a safety case comes from the requirements of the European Union/European Community (EU/EC) Seveso Directive (82/501/EC) and, in particular, regulations that the United Kingdom and other member states used to implement that directive. United Kingdom regulations (Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards [CIMAH], 1984 replaced by Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances [COMAH] in 1999) require that major hazardous facilities produce a safety report or safety case.64 The requirement for a safety case is initiated by a list of chemicals and a class of flammables. Like the hazard analysis approach (Section 8.1.2), experts identify the reactive hazards of the process if analysis shows that the proposed process is safe, it may be excluded from additional regulatory requirements. 

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