ADVANCED FLAMMABLE and COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS HANDLING

ADVANCED FLAMMABLE and COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS HANDLING

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE TEMPLATE

This SOP is for work in which flammable/combustible liquids are used in operations that cangenerate static electricity which can act as an ignition source. This includes the pumping or pouring of solvents between metal containers. As described below, those operations require grounding and/or bonding of the containers to prevent a fire/explosion.

If your operations would not involve static electricity generation, then a different SOP template in the UCSB SOP Library can be used: BASIC FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS HANDLING

(See also these related UCSB SOPs: “Solvent Use: Extractions, Distillations & Still Quenching” and “Peroxide-Forming Chemicals”

Type of SOP: ProcessHazardous ChemicalHazard Class

To customize this SOP, add lab-specific information to the sections below marked in RED, as applicable. Completion of the last section (“Lab-Specific Information”) is required. Also, any of the content below may be amended with lab-specific information to enhance worker safety as desired.

1.HAZARD OVERVIEW

Flammable and combustible organic solvents are amongst the most dangerous chemicals in the lab. A measure of how ignitable a particular solvent is the flashpoint; defined as the lowesttemperatureatwhich a material canforman ignitable mixture with airandproduceaflamewhen asourceofignition ispresent. The lower the flashpoint, the more easily the liquid can be ignited. Most common organic solvents in the lab are readily ignited, with the exception of chlorinated solvents like dichloromethane which require more extreme conditions to burn.

Flammableliquids (flash point < 100oF)aredividedintothreeclasses:

ClassFlash PointBoiling PointExamples

IABelow 73°FBelow 100 °FEthyl Ether

IBBelow 73 °FAt orabove100 °FAcetone,Benzene, Toluene

ICAt orabove73°F andIsopropanol, Xylene

below 100°F

Combustible liquids (flash point > 100oF) aredividedintothreeclasses:

A particular organic solvent may have other hazards beyond their flammability. For example, benzene is recognized carcinogen. Check the Safety Data Sheet for the particular solvents in use.

The international symbol (Globally Harmonized System) for a flammable liquids/gases/solids is:

Diethyl ether initiated fire

2.PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

See the PPE information under Sec. II of the UCSB Chemical Hygiene Plan regarding:

• the UC PPE Policy and policy summary (what PPE is needed and when/where to use)
• obtaining your PPE via use of the Laboratory Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT)
• glove selection criteria
• respirator use, etc.

In general, workers who use flammable liquids will be issued a free fire-resistant Nomex lab coat via the LHAT process.

3.ENGINEERING/VENTILATION CONTROLS

All chemicals should be transferred and used in an annuallycertified laboratorychemical fume hood with the sash at thecertified position or lower. The hood flow indicator should be checked to be operating correctly prior to using the hood.For further information see the following pages in Sec. II of the UCSB Chemical Hygiene Plan:

• Fume Hood Usage Guide
• Criteria for Implementing Engineering Controls

• SafetyShielding: Shieldingis requiredanytime there is a significantriskofexplosion, splashhazardorahighly exothermicreaction.All manipulationsofflammable liquids which posethis riskshouldoccurinafume hoodwith the sashin the lowest feasible position. Portableshields,which provideprotectiontoall laboratoryoccupants,areacceptable.
• SpecialVentilation: Manipulationofflammableliquids outsideofafume hood mayrequire specialventilationcontrolsin ordertominimize exposure and reduce the fire risk. Fume hoodsprovidethe bestprotectionagainstexposureto flammableliquids in the laboratoryandarethe preferredventilationcontrol device. If yourresearchdoesnotpermit the handingoflarge quantities offlammableliquidsin yourfume hood,contactEHS toreview the adequacyofall specialventilation.

4.SPECIAL HANDLING PROCEDURES AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS

Use in an area that is properly equipped with a certified eye wash and safety shower that is available within ten seconds of travel.

Store in a tightly closed, labeled container and in a cool, dry,well-ventilated area. Segregate from incompatible materials. Repackaged chemicals must be labeled clearly. For example, squirt bottles and acid/base cleaning baths. Follow any substance-specific storage guidance provided in Safety Data Sheet documentation.

• Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets

One ormoreFlammable Liquid StorageCabinets(FLSC) arerequired by CA Fire Code for laboratorieswhichstore,useorhandlemorethan10 gallonsofflammableor combustibleliquids.

Containers offlammableliquidsthat are onegallonandlargermustbe storedin a flammable-liquids storage cabinet.

The storageofflammableandcombustibleliquidsin alaboratory,shop,or building areamustbe kept totheminimum neededforresearchand/or operations.FLSC arenotintendedforthe storageofhighly toxicmaterials, acids,bases,compressedgases,orpyrophoricchemicals.

In mostUCSB laboratories,flammableliquids storageis providedunderthe chemical fume hood.Thesecabinetsareclearly marked“FlammableStorage” and are often ventilated via a stainless steel hose into the fume hood exhaust duct. Flammable liquids storagecabinetsareconstructedtolimit the internal temperaturewhen exposedtofire. Whenadditionalstorageis needed, NFPA-approved FLSCmaybe purchased. All containersofflammableliquids mustbestoredin aFLSC when notinuse. The following requirements apply:

General Requirements

• Cabinetsshall be marked“Flammable-KeepFire Away”
• Cabinetsshouldbe kept in goodcondition.Doorsthatdo notcloseandlatchmustberepairedorthe cabinetmust be replaced.

Flammable liquids storage cabinets are equipped with a grounding system that can be connected to a building ground. If you are pouring from a container in the storage cabinet and if the container being poured into is conductive then a bonding strap must be attached between them as explained in PROCEDURES TO AVOID STATIC ELECTRICITY.

FLSC involved in fire

• Transferring/Dispensing

STATIC ELECTRICITY HAZARDSINTHE LABORATORY

The flow offlammableandcombustibleliquidscancausethe buildup ofstaticelectricity. Whenenoughofachargeis built up asparkcanresult andpotentially causeafire or explosion. The likelihood ofthis happeningisdependentuponhowwell the liquid conducts electricity,the flashpoint, andthe capacitytogeneratestaticelectricity.

Static electricitycanbegeneratedwhen liquid is transferredfromonemetal containerto another.Liquids havethe ability togeneratestaticelectricity whentheymoveincontact with othermaterialsduringpouring,pumping,oragitating.The buildupofthisstatic electricitycancausea sparktoformwhere thesolventexitsthecontainer.Thiscould result in afire orexplosion.

PROCEDURES TO AVOID STATIC ELECTRICITY

Toavoidthe buildup ofstaticelectricitythatmaycauseaspark,it is importanttobondand groundmetal containers, particularly for larger quantities, e.g. 55 or 5 gal. drums.Bonding eliminatesthe electrical potential between two containers,thereforeeliminating the likelihood ofsparks.Abonding wireisconnectedtotwoconductiveobjectsasseeninthedrumspicturedbelow.

Bondingwiresbetweendrums

Groundingeliminatesthedifferencein staticpotentialchargebetweentheconductive objectandground.Groundingis accomplishedbyconnectingtheconductiveobjectdirectly totheearth,usuallyusingcoldwatercopperpipes,buildingsteel,ora groundingbus/bar.

Bondingandgroundingrequiregoodelectricalconnections.Removeanydirt,paintorrust, ensuringmetaltometalcontact.

Building Static Grounding“Bus”

(Mountedon Wall)

1

Cable of

Sufficient

Length

Small Grounding ClampAttachedto PortableSolvent Container

1

BondingandGroundingwires comein avarietyofstylesandlengths. TheycanbepurchasedthroughFisher Scientific:,Justrite Manufacturing:andthroughLabSafetySupply:

1

HandClamp‘C’ ClampandAlligatorClip

Static hazardsmayalsoexist innon-metallic plasticorglasscontainersthatcannotbe grounded.Static maybe generatedbythefree fall andturbulence ofthe liquid being poured.Tominimize this hazard,pourasslowly aspossibleanduseagroundednozzle extensionthatallowsfilling the containerfromthe bottom.

DISPENSINGFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS FROM 5 GALLON PAILS

Manualdispensingpumpsfor5-gallonpails/cansareavailable. Thesepumpsarespecifically designedtodispenseliquidsinto smalllaboratory-sizebottleswithout spilling.Ifyouare pouringinto aconductivecontainer,abondingwire shouldbeattachedfromthe 5-gallon pail tothe containerbeing filled. The 5-gallonpailshouldbe grounded.

The dispensershownin the picturebelow canbe purchasedthroughFisher Scientific. The metal strapin the picturehooksoverthe bottomofthe pail andsecuresthe dispenser while pumping.

MetalStrap

Two adaptersareprovidedwith the dispensingpumpfromFisher (greyandblack). Usethe appropriateadaptertoachievethe correctsealwith the solventcontaineryouhave.Some solventcontainershaveagreyfitting atthe opening,andothershavea blackone.

DISPENSINGFLAMMABLES FROMSAFETY CANS

Safetycanshaveself-closingairtight lids andaflamearrestorthatprotectsthe contents fromanexternal ignition source.Bondingandgroundingis still required onsafetycans sincestaticelectricity generationis possible.The nozzleprovidesabondingpathtoa receiving metallicvessel.

If eitherofthe containersisnon-metallic (non-conductive)it is stillimportanttofollow the limited velocityandgroundednozzleextensioninformationgivenpreviously.

Safetycanwith

extendednozzle

Safetycansdonotofferprotectionfromheatwhen exposedtofire andshouldbe storedin a flammableliquids storagecabinetwhen notin use.

• Labeling

All flammableliquids mustbe clearly labeledwith the correctchemicalname.

Handwritten labels areacceptable;chemicalformulasandstructuralformulasare notacceptable.

The label onanycontainersofflammableliquids shouldsay“Flammable”and should include anyotherhazardinformation,suchas“Corrosive”or“Toxic”,as applicable. Example: lab squirt bottles, or acid/base baths.

• Heating/Open flame

Donot permanentlystoreflammableliquidsinchemicalfume hoodsorallow containersof flammableliquids in proximitytoheatingmantles, hotplates, ortorches.

With the exceptionofvacuumdryingovens,laboratoryovensrarelyhaveany meansofpreventingthe dischargeofmaterialvolatilizedwithin them. Thusit shouldbe assumedthatthesesubstanceswill escapeinto the laboratory atmosphere,but mayalsobe presentin sufficient concentrationtoform explosivemixtureswithin the ovenitself. Ventingthe oventoanexhausted systemwillreducethis hazard.

Dryingovensshouldnotbe usedtodryglasswarethathasbeen rinsedwith organicsolventsuntil allofthe solventhashadthe opportunityto drainorevaporateatroomtemperature.

5.SPILL AND INCIDENT PROCEDURES

See directions under the “Chemical Incident” and “Medical Emergency” tabs of the UCSB Emergency Information Flipchart – should already be posted in all labs.

For those that routinely use flammable liquids, it is strongly recommended that they attend the live version of the EH&S Fundamentals of Laboratory Safety class, where hands-on fire extinguisher training is conducted. All campus labs should have a fire extinguisher already on-site, generally near the exit door.

6.DECONTAMINATION

Wear proper PPE, decontaminate equipment and bench tops using [soap and water]. Dispose of all used contaminated disposables as hazardous waste per below.

7.WASTE DISPOSAL

See “Chemical Waste Disposal” in Sec. II of the UCSB Chemical Hygiene Plan.

8.PRIOR APPROVAL/REVIEW REQUIRED

As they deem necessary, the PI/supervisor should insert here any prior approval or review needed, before an individual can do the operation.

9.DESIGNATED AREA

As they deem necessary, the PI/supervisor should insert here any information about whether a special use-area is designated for this material/process.

Work should be completed in a laboratory fume hood given the volatility and flammability of most solvents.

10.SAFETY DATA SHEETS and OTHER REFERENCES

Online SDS can be found at:

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory, 2011, see Secs. 4.D and 6.F for flammable liquids

11.LAB-SPECIFIC PROTOCOL (required)

Add appropriate lab-specific information here describing how this material(s) is generally used. E.g., name of protocol, frequency done, scale, temperature, etc.

Flammable Liquids SOPPage 1 of 10