Ignition Source

A fundamental element of fire prevention is the control of ignition sources. The process should be designed, installed, and operated to minimize or prevent the release or spill of flammable gases, liquids, or combustible dusts, as well as eliminate or control ignition sources. The basic controls for these unwanted ignition sources are  

1Accident Prevention Manual for Industrial Operations (Chicago National Safety Council, 1974). 

These examples illustrate the importance of careful design, careful monitoring of conditions, and the need for periodic preventive maintenance programs when working with flammable gases and compressors. This is especially important today, because high-pressure process conditions are becoming more common in modern chemical plants. 

Some special situations might occur in a process facility where it is impossible to avoid flammable mixtures. In these cases a thorough safety analysis is required to eliminate all possible ignition sources in each of the units where flammable gases are present. 

The elimination of the ignition sources with the greatest probability of occurrence (see Table 6-5) should be given the greatest attention. Combinations of sources must also be investigated. The goal is to eliminate or minimize ignition sources because the probability of a fire 

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The autoignition temperature is the minimum temperature required for self-sustained combustion in the absence of an external ignition source. The value depends on specified test conditions. Tht flammable (explosive) limits specify the range of concentration of the vapor in air (in percent by volume) for which a flame can propagate. Below the lower flammable limit, the gas mixture is too lean to burn above the flammable limit, the mixture is too rich. Additional compounds can be found in National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Protection Handbook, 14th ed., 1991. 

Flash points and autoignition temperatures are given in Table 11. The vapor can travel along the ground to an ignition source. In the event of fire, foam, carbon dioxide, and dry chemical are preferred extinguishers. The lower and upper explosion limits are 1% and 7%. 

Acetone can be handled safely if common sense precautions are taken. It should be used in a weU-ventilated area, and because of its low flash point, ignition sources should be absent. Flame will travel from an ignition source along vapor flows on floors or bench tops to the point of use. Sinks should be rinsed with water while acetone is being used to clean glassware, to prevent the accumulation of vapors. If prolonged or repeated skin contact with acetone could occur, impermeable protective equipment such as gloves and aprons should be worn. 

Flammability Acrolein is very flammable its flash point is <0° C, but a toxic vapor cloud will develop before a flammable one. The flammable limits in air are 2.8% and 31.0% lower and upper explosive limits, respectively by volume. Acrolein is only partly soluble in water and will cause a floating fire, so alcohol type foam should be used in firefighting. The vapors are heavier than air and can travel along the ground and flash back from an ignition source. 

Acrylonitrile is combustible and ignites readily, producing toxic combustion products such as hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. It forms explosive mixtures with air and must be handled in weU-ventilated areas and kept away from any source of ignition, since the vapor can spread to distant ignition sources and flash back. 

The predetonation distance (the distance the decomposition flame travels before it becomes a detonation) depends primarily on the pressure and pipe diameter when acetylene in a long pipe is ignited by a thermal, nonshock source. Figure 2 shows reported experimental data for quiescent, room temperature acetylene in closed, horizontal pipes substantially longer than the predetonation distance (44,46,52,56,58,64,66,67). The predetonation distance may be much less if the gas is in turbulent flow or if the ignition source is a high explosive charge. 

Extreme caution must be taken to prevent the possibility of fire when using flammable removers. Extra care must be taken when stripping on location to secure the area of ignition sources. When used on lacquer finishes, the dissolved finish and remover combined are extremely flammable. Natural mbber, neoprene, or other gloves suitable for use with the remover formula must be worn. The effect of skin contact with the remover is limited because there is immediate irritation and discomfort. Canister respirators are available for most petroleum and oxygenate remover solvents. Symptoms of long-term overexposure should be compared to symptoms of the major ingredients in the formula. 

The lower flammable limit (LEL) or lower explosive limit (LEL) is the minimum concentration of vapor in air below which a flame is not propagated when an ignition source is present (61—64). Below this concentration, the mixture is considered too lean to bum. The lower flammable limit and the flash point of a flammable Hquid are closely related by the Hquid s vapor pressure characteristics. 

Hot Work. The objective of a hot work standard is to prevent fires, explosions, and other causes of injury which might result from workplace ignition sources such as welding (qv), cutting, grinding, and use of electrically powered tools. The OSHA standards have specific requirements (36,94) for fire prevention and protection and a permit system. 

The metal reacts violently with water, ice, steam, lower molecular weight alcohols, and chloriaated hydrocarbons. In the presence of air/moisture mbidium can act as an ignition source if a flammable organic Hquid or vapor is also present. Rubidium can ignite spontaneously ia the presence of oxygen and tarnishes rapidly when exposed to air. Burning mbidium should only be extinguished with dry powders, such as dolomite or sodium carbonate. 

Hot surfaces and electric sparks are potential ignition sources for carbon disulfide. The ignition temperature depends on specific conditions, and values from 90 to 120°C in air have been reported (2,22). Data on carbon disulfide oxidation and combustion have been summarized (18). Oxidation products ate generally sulfur dioxide [7446-09-5] and carbon dioxide [124-58-9J ... 

Flash Point. As fuel oil is heated, vapors are produced which at a certain temperature "flash" when ignited by an external ignition source. The flash point is the lowest temperature at which vapor, given off from a Hquid, is in sufficient quantity to enable ignition to take place. The flash point is in effect a measure of the volatiHty of the fuel. The measurement of flash point for pure Hquids is relatively straightforward. However, the measured value may depend slightly on the method used, especially for Hquid mixtures, since the composition of the vapor evolved can vary with the heating rate. Special... 

The spark must always be produced by a spontaneous breakdown of the gas because an electronic firing circuit or a trigger electrode would either obviate the measurement of spark energy or grossly change the geometry of the ignition source (1,2,9). 

The ignition temperature is the minimum temperature required to initiate or cause self-sustained combustion. Table 2 also Hsts ignition temperatures of several common ethers. Attention is directed to the particularly low ignition temperature of ethyl ether, especially with reference to some common ignition sources such as a lighted cigarette (732°C) or a pressurized (0.7 MPa or 100 psi) steam line (180°C). 

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