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    UNDERSTANDING FLAMMABLES

    A brief review of the properties of flammable liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal.

    THE FIRE TRIANGLE

    Flammable liquids are commonly used in day-to-day operations at industrial and commercial sites throughout the world. These liquids are used as fuels, solvents, cleaners, etc. While the usefulness of flammable liquids is well documented, some hazards inherent in their storage and handling must be recognized and addressed.

    Flammable liquids are volatile in nature; that is they tend to evaporate readily under normal atmospheric conditions. The evaporation rate increases if the liquids are located in a warmer area, or near a heat source. As flammable liquids evaporate and mix with the surrounding air, a condition may arise where the vapors generated can be ignited. If ignition of the vapors occurs, the heat of the flame results in increased generation of flammable vapors, further fueling the flame.

    In order for a flammable liquids fire to occur, three key elements must be present: FUEL/OXYGEN/HEAT. These three elements are often graphically represented as the "Fire Triangle".

    Fire Triangle


    FUEL - provided by the flammable liquid vapors
    OXYGEN - provided by the surrounding air
    HEAT - provided by an external ignition source

    If any one of these three components is not present (or is not present in a proper proportion) the fire will not burn and the hazards associated with a flammable liquids fire can be controlled.

    DEFINITIONS

    Flash Point: The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air immediately above the liquid surface.

    Flammable Liquid: A liquid having a flash point below 100°F and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 PSIA.

    Combustible Liquid: A liquid having a flash point at or above 100°F.

    Flammable Liquid Vapors: The gaseous state of a substance that is liquid under normal conditions.

    Explosive Range: The range (in percent) between the lowest point, below which there is not sufficient concentration of vapors in the air to permit propagation of a flame upon contact with an ignition source, and the highest point above which there is too great a concentration of vapors in the air to permit propagation of a flame. These upper and lower boundary line mixtures are termed the explosive limits and are usually stated as a percentage by volume of vapor in air.

    Ignition Temperature: The minimum temperature at which a flammable mixture of vapors will ignite.

    FLASH ARRESTER

    Flash Arrester Experiments conducted in the late nineteenth century proved that, under certain conditions, flames fueled by flammable vapors would not propagate through a series of small diameter, elongated tubes placed side by side. Further experimentation showed that effective protection against the propagation of a flame could be realized even if the length of the tubes was shortened, so long as the diameter of the openings was also reduced. Based on this simple principle, an efficient and effective mechanical flash arrester was developed.

    The current day flash arrester is usually manufactured from light gauge perforated metal. The thickness of the metal and the size and location of the perforations are carefully chosen to insure that effective protection against flame propagation is achieved. The flash arrester design allows liquids and vapors to pass through (flow through the perforations) but provides a barrier to flame passage if the vapors on one side of the arrester should be ignited. The flash arrester absorbs and dissipates heat generated by the flame. It insures that the vapors on the protected side of the flash arrester barrier do not reach their ignition temperature.

    PROTECTOSEAL SAFETY CONTAINERS

    The Protectoseal Company Safety Container Division offers a broad based line of products intended to simplify and enhance the levels of safety in the storage and handling of flammable liquids. The fire triangle principles described above play a significant role in the design and development of these products. Standard design features are such that one or more of the legs of the fire triangle are removed so that the hazards associated with a potential flammable liquids fire may be more readily controlled.

    Flash arresters are positioned at each container opening. The arresters prohibit an external flame from entering the protected interior of the container, while not unduly restricting the flow of liquids and vapors. Perforated metal flash arresters are featured in all categories of Protectoseal Safety Container Division Products.



    Automatic or manually operated caps and covers are provided. These caps and covers fall under three basic categories:
    1. Covers That Close By Spring Action
    These spring action covers and caps are normally closed and provide protection against accidental leakage and spillage while also minimizing evaporation losses. These covers are held open for filling or dispensing but reseal automatically when the operating mechanisms are released. As a further safety feature, these spring loaded caps are also designed to automatically relieve internal pressure that may build up as a result of fire involvement of the can. This pressure relief eliminates the possibility that the can will rupture. These caps are incorporated into Protectoseal Safety Cans.



    2. Covers That Close By Gravity
    These covers are typically operated by applying foot pressure to a treadle bar. When the foot is removed, gravity causes the covers to close. These covers are found on Protectoseal Oily Waste Cans and Foot Treadle Operated Dip Tanks.



    3.Covers That Close By Combinations Of Gravity, Spring Action And/Or Fusible Link Mechanisms
    These covers may be closed manually, but may also be held open by means of a spring loaded, fusible link mechanism. If a fire should occur in the vicinity of one of these containers, the fusible element will melt and the cover will close. The fusible link mechanism is typically designed to be activated if the surrounding temperature exceeds 160°F. These covers are found on Protectoseal Dip Tanks and Drum Covers.

    These caps and covers are effective in acting upon two legs of the fire triangle. The self closing caps and covers not only isolate the flame from its potential source of fuel within the container, but also remove the supply of oxygen, quickly smothering the fire.




    The application of these basic safety and design principles, individually or in combination, to the control of flammable liquids hazards in storage, transportation, production, use and disposal should be recognized as The Protectoseal Company Safety Container Division product offering is examined.

    If you have questions concerning the handling of flammable liquids please contact The Protectoseal Company or one of our Authorized Sales Representatives.









































































































































































































Title: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Description: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Keywords: OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible Title: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Description: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Keywords: OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible Title: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Description: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Keywords: OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible Title: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Description: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Keywords: OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible Title: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Description: A brief review of the properties of flammable, combustible liquids and the hazards associated with their storage, use and disposal. OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30 Keywords: OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible, OSHA, 29CFR, 1910.106, NFPA30, flammable, liquids, combustible