A308 Environment, Health and Safety

Problem 07: Dont Get Fired!

6th Presentation

Activity Owner: Francis Zheng Inputs by: DENV Team Approved by: Soh Thian Ping (Dr) Module Chair: Jayne Loh
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Todays problem
As the new safety officer, you were tasked to:
Perform an evaluation of the use of acetone and isopropyl in the lab. Recommend measures to be taken for the lab to operate safely.

Your experiment with flammable vapour mixtures showed that a higher concentration of flammable vapour does not necessarily mean that the mixture can combust.
Explain the results of your experiment.

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

What do you recognize?

Certain components need to be present for combustion to occur. There are certain characteristics of flammable materials that we look out for when evaluating fire hazards. Some material are more likely to be a fire hazard than others. There are procedures / regulations to take note of when handling / storing flammable material.
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

The approach
Find out the basics requirements for a fire to start. Identify characteristics of flammable material that need to be evaluated. Categorize the types of flammable material. Based on the requirements of the different categories of flammable material, use the Hazard Control Hierarchy to prevent the occurrence of fires / explosions. Identify measures that can be put in place to mitigate the consequences of a fire.
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

The Fire Triangle

Fuel Fuel
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The Fire Tetrahedron

Air (Oxygen)

Chemical Chain Reaction Fuel Ignition Source

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Flash Point or Fire Point

Flash Point
The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to form an ignitable mixture. At flash point the vapour will only burn briefly as there is insufficient vapour to sustain the combustion.

Fire Point
The lowest temperature at which a vapour above a liquid will continue to burn once ignited.

For the same liquid, which is higher; flash point or fire point?
Fire Point

Which should we consider for EHS concerns?

Flash Point as it has a lower value

Auto-ignition Temperature (AIT)

A fixed temperature above which adequate energy is available in the environment to provide an ignition source.
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Flammable Limits
When mixed with air, the vapour of a fuel will only burn within a specific concentration range. Lower Flammable Limit (LFL)*
The minimum concentration (vol % fuel) of the vapour in air below which a flame is not propagated (i.e. no combustion).

Upper Flammable Limit (UFL)*

The maximum concentration (vol % fuel) of the vapour in air above which a flame is not propagated (i.e. no combustion).

The mixture is only flammable when the concentration of the fuel vapour is between the LFL and UFL.
* LFL and UFL are also known as Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) and Upper Explosion Limit (UEL) respectively.
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Estimating LFL and UFL for mixtures

Sample 1 Component Vol % Acetone Isopropyl Alcohol 3.0 2.0

LFL Vol % 2.5 2.0

UFL Vol % 12.8 12.0

LFL and UFL data of individual components from MSDS / SDS Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Estimating LFL and UFL for mixtures

Sample 1 Component Volume % Acetone Isopropyl Alcohol Air Results LFL of Mixture UFL of Mixture Total Flammables Results 3.0 2.0 95.0 Combustion Occurred. 2.27 12.47 5.0 Total % flammables between LFL and UFL Volume % 9.0 Sample 2

7.0 84.0

Combustion Did Not Occur. 2.25 12.44 16.0 Total % flammables > UFL

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Hazard Labeling
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
Hazardous Chemical is classified according to:
a hazard class based on its hazard nature (e.g. Flammable Liquids) AND A hazard category based on the severity of the hazard (e.g. Cat 1)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Chemical Hazard Label

Hazard category for each diamond
Flammability (red) Health (Blue) Instability (Yellow) Special Hazards (White)
W: React Explosively or Violent with water OX: Oxidizing properties

Hazard symbols, signal words and hazard statements are then Degree of hazard (0,1,2,3,4) used to describe the hazards denoted in each diamond based on the classification To be fully implemented in 3 Singapore by mid-2015 GHS and 1 0 NFPA Labels for Acetone
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Categories of Flammable Liquids

Category* Description GHS Hazard Communication Elements
Symbol Signal Word Hazard Statement

A liquid having a flash point < 23C and initial boiling point 35C. A liquid having a flash point < 23C and initial boiling point >35C. A liquid having a flash point 23C and 60C. A liquid having a flash point > 60C and 93C No Symbol

Danger

Extremely flammable liquid and vapour Highly flammable liquid and vapour

Danger

Warning

Flammable liquid and vapour Combustible Liquid

Warning

*The criteria for the GHS and NFPA categories vary!

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Hierarchy of Control
Elimination
Is it possible to eliminate any side of the fire triangle? Remove oxygen from the process. Eliminate the use of volatile solvents. Possible to eliminate all ignition sources?

Substitution
Can we replace the mixture with something else that is less flammable / non-flammable (e.g. higher flash point)? Replace solvent-based substances with waterbased substances.
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Hierarchy of Control
Engineering controls
What are the flammability limits (LFL / UFL)? Install ventilation systems to dilute flammable mixtures. Safety Interlocks / Fail Safe Are ignition sources controlled / minimised? Ground / insulate equipment grounded to prevent static discharge Intrinsically safe / explosion proof equipment Are the vessels / containers / areas suitable? Select correct material for vessels / containers. Proper segregation of flammable storage area. Safety Cabinets
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Hierarchy of Control
Administrative controls
Is there a set of Safe Work Procedures for any work involving flammable substances? Risk Assessment for each process Good housekeeping Train people to properly handle flammable substances. No smoking in certain locations. Is there control of work involving heat and flammable substances? Permit-to-work system (Hot Work Permit) Are the flammable substances well-labelled? Use of Globally Harmonised System of classification and labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Hierarchy of Control
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
What are the necessary PPE needed for people handling different types of flammable substances? Proper selection of PPE Correct use of PPE (Training for workers) Maintenance and availability of PPE

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Mitigation!
Fire Protection / Fire Fighting Systems
Automatic Fire Detection Devices
Heat Detectors Smoke Detectors Flame Detectors Aspirating Detectors

Alarm Systems
Audible (alarm bell) Visual (strobe lights)

Fire Extinguishers Fire Hydrants Sprinklers systems Water / Smoke Curtains Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
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Classes of Fires and Selection of Fire Extinguishers

Class of Fire A Description Fires involving ordinary combustible materials. E.g. wood, paper, textile, etc. Fires involving flammable / combustible liquids and gases. E.g solvents. Fires involving energized electrical equipment. E.g. Electrical appliances, electrical mains etc Fires involving combustible metals. E.g. Potassium, magnesium etc. Type of Extinguisher Used Water, Foam or Dry Powder Carbon Dioxide or Dry Powder Carbon Dioxide or Dry Powder

Special extinguishers with approved agents for each type of metal (e.g. NaCl for magnesium fires)

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Types of Explosions
Vapour Cloud Explosion (VCE)
Sudden release of a large quantity of flammable vapour (e.g. when a tank of LPG ruptures) Dispersion of vapour while mixing with air Ignition

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE)

Fire starts near a tank containing liquid Tank walls are heated Liquid in tank increases in temperature and tank pressure increases Tank ruptures, explosively vaporizing its contents.

Dust Explosion
When finely divided particles of solid material are dispersed in air and ignited Common in flour milling, grain storage and coal mining industries.
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

What you have learnt

Combustion only can occur when all 3 components of the fire triangle are present. For flammable material, it is important to consider:
Flash Point, Fire Point, Auto-Ignition Temperature and Flammable limits

The Hazard Control Hierarchy can be used to evaluate fire hazards. Mitigation measures for possible fire / explosion need to be in place.
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore