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Flammable Material Safety
Inability to correctly store flammable and combustible materials can cause fires with severe, even disastrous injuries to employees and cam also result in serious damage to office property.
Flammable materials are obtainable in the form of solids, liquids, or gases.
Flammable solids can be grouped in three categories namely desensitized explosives, self-reactive materials, and readily combustible solids. These are usually non-explosive in nature but may explode once they are subjected to friction, moisture, heat retained from processing, or a chemical change that is spontaneous.
Flammable gases are condensed gases which catch fire at 14.7 pounds per square inch, or can explode at 14.7 psi when combined with 13% or less by volume with air. Butane, acetylene, methane and hydrogen are examples of flammable gases.
Flammable liquids are acknowledged as liquids that have a flashpoint under 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It is crucial to bear in mind that as far as flammable liquids are concerned it is the vapor coming off of the liquid that will ignite and burn, not essentially the liquid itself.
Combustible materials are available in the form of solids or liquids.
Combustible solids have the ability to ignite and burn. Wood and paper are perfect examples of combustible solids.
The flashpoint for combustible liquids is 100 degrees F or above but under 200 degrees
Workplace inspection
- When inspecting a workplace efforts should be made to remove containers of flammable or combustible materials from shelves, countertops, or from the top of flammable and combustible material storage cabinets.
- It is imperative to ensure that the storage cabinets are in good condition.
- They should be properly maintained and re-painted as and when required.
It is vital to ensure that the flammable and combustible storage containers are constructed in accordance with standard specifications as stipulated by the concerned authority. Proper warning indicating the flammability hazard must be displayed on storage containers, cabinets, and rooms. Smoking should be barred in places where flammable materials are stored. Activities that have the potential to produce sparks also be banned in the storage areas.
Storage options for flammable and combustible material include the following.
Refrigerators: Domestic refrigerators or freezers should not be used for storage of flammable or combustible liquid. The internal parts have the potential to trigger a spark and light up the contents. It has to be made certain that the unit that is utilized for storage must be explosion-proof or laboratory safe and should not be used for other purposes apart from storing flammable materials.
Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage Cabinets must be fitted with two vents on opposite sides of the cabinet to safeguard the contents from outside fires. All contents should be kept in containers that are closed. If the cabinet begins to show signs of decay it should be immediately replaced.