SAFETY PRECAUTIONSENERGY SYSTEMS LABORATORY

(Heat Power and Engines Lab)

The following precautions should always be observed while in the laboratory:
1. To ensure safe operation and to prevent personal injury completely read the
instructions in the lab manual pertaining to the equipment you intend to use
BEFORE arriving in the lab.
2. Wear safety goggles when working in this lab to protect your eyes from fuel,
acid, dirt, oil, or objects which may fly off moving parts. Use the eye wash
(located next door in room 17-1123) if you get something in your eyes.
3. Fuels (natural gas, gasoline, diesel, alcohol, various hydrocarbons) are
flammable and explosive. Do not smoke around fuels or in the lab. Also,
beware of static electricity and do not use cell phones. They both have been
known to cause fires and/or explosions. Wipe up fuel spills immediately and
dispose of soaked rags in proper airtight containers.
4. Locate the nearest fire extinguisher before working in the lab. Always keep a
fire extinguisher in the immediate work area. The extinguisher should be the
type recommended (Type A fire extinguisher) for use on gasoline, chemical,
and electrical fires.
5. Do not wear loose clothing or a necktie in this lab. Keep hands and hair
away from moving parts such as pumps, turbines, engines, compressors,
motors, pumps, fans, belts, and pulleys. Long hair must be tied back.
6. Do not wear open-toed footwear (such as sandals or flip-flops), or
shorts/skirts in the lab. Always wear covered shoes and long pants (or coverup with a full-length lab coat).
7. Never wear a wristwatch, rings or other jewelry when working in this lab.
Such items may catch on moving parts or cause electrical shorts burning the
wearer.
8. Do not stand in the plane of rotation of any piece of rotating equipment (such
as turbines, engines, compressors, pumps, motors, dynamometers). In the
event of a mechanical failure, pieces are most likely to fly off in this plane of
motion causing injury.
9. Avoid contact with hot surfaces such as pipes, turbines, condensers, boilers,
heat exchangers, engine manifolds, mufflers, catalytic converters, radiators,
etc.

10. Avoid contact with steam that may flow or leak from piping and equipment.
11. Never look into the carburetor throat when working on a running engine.
Backfiring may cause severe injury.
12. Do not lay metal items on the battery. Accidental grounding of the hot battery
terminal can shock or burn you, damage wiring, or damage the battery itself.
Battery acid can ruin clothing and can burn your skin or eyes. If touched by
battery acid, wash with as much water as possible or use a baking soda
solution to neutralize the acid. Seek medical attention as required.
13. High voltage is always present in the secondary side of the ignition system.
Always use insulated pliers when handling any ignition system components
while the engine is running.
14. Hydrogen gas is produced by automotive batteries when discharging. A
flame or spark near the battery may cause it to explode.
15. Avoid contact with exhaust gas and always work in a properly ventilated area.
Exhaust gases are hot, as well as containing carbon monoxide, which is a
colorless and odorless lethal gas.
16. Be aware of what is going on around you and listen for unusual noises. If
something does not seem right, it probably isnt! Notify the instructor if you
have any concerns or problems.