Flammables/Combustibles and
Flammables/Explosives –
Safety Instruction
Tim Styranec,
Chemical Storekeeper
Safety Instruction and Review
 Sign In Sheet
 Review
 Protective Equipment – Lab coats, gloves, goggles
 Waste- red cans, waste forms
 Safety & Emergency- EOHS (x3700), 911
 Spill response kits
LAW –Review OSHA Lab Standard
Occupational Health and Safety
Plan
 Last year MSDS. This session concentrates on class of
chemicals- Flamm/Combustible and explosives. Large
quantities used in Organic labs and Research
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Purpose of session - to learn about developing good safety habits when working with flammable/combustible
and explosive materials.
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NFPA LABEL - RED 4-0- Show example – Acetone.
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FLAMMABLE can be described simply as a substance that will readily catch fire and burn. Flash point below 100
degree F.
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COMBUSTIBLE- flash point above 100 F.(difference important DOT reg. And shipping) same to us.
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Flash Point - minimum temp. of liquid at which it gives off vapors sufficient to form an ignitable mixture with the
air near the surface of the liquid or container. It is by far the most important property concerned with. Where get
this - MSDS, LABEL
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Flammable Range
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Lower Flammable Limits is the minimum percentage of vapor to air required for
Upper Flammable Limits is the Percentage of vapor to air above which ignition
possible.(too rich)
ignition.(too lean)
is no longer
Beware of all Organic Liquids
 Just because a flash point may be high it does not take it out
of the range of hazardous material.
 Example: Kerosene fp 100F can be just as dangerous as a
flammable liquid just a few degrees lower.
Flammability
 Substance will sometimes ignite but other times will not
burn. Depends on
 1. temperature of substance
 2. concentration of that substance in the atomsphere
 3. other criteria. - fire triangle - Energy, Oxidizer, FUEL -
(Flammable)
 3 things necessary to have a fire - fuel -oxygen heat.
FIRE TRIANGLE
 FIRE TRIANGLE - as long as the triangle is not complete,
the legs are not touching to form a closed or completed
triangle
 It is impossible to have a fire. Want to control in this case fuel.
Flammable Liquids
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Flammable Liquids - FUEL Types we work with- organics labs and research.
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Hydrocarbons - Pure compounds as well as mixtures.
Pentane, hexane, heptane, decane, benzene, toluene xylenes, cyclohexan, Cycloheptane
etc.
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Alcohols - R-OH, ethanol, methanol,propyl,butyl,
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Ethers - usually flash point is lower, makes it more dangerous. R-O-R'
can become oxidized in unusual and unexpected way
Oxygen atom may enter the molecule to form Peroxide R-O-O-R'
Which is potentially explosive.
DO not open cans - if not sure how long stored. Return for disposal.
RULE: once opened it should be used completely or disposed of .
Do not store. If must DATE can.
Ex. Diethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, isopropyl ether.
Flammable Liquids
 Ketones Flash point is generally higher. Used as solvents Ex. - ACETONE,(
also called Dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone), Methyl butyl ketone, (2Heaxanone) and methyl ethyl ketone.(2-Butanone)
 Aldehydes -Flash point similar to Ketones. Ex. Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde
 Amines - Considered derivatives of ammonia. Most foul-smelling, all toxic
to some degree and all have relatively low flash points.
Smell of Rotting flesh due to the formation of amines. Ex. Butyl amine, ethyl
amine, diethyl amine
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Esters - Distinctive pleasant odors. Common esters - methyl formate,
Methyl acetate, vinyl acetate, ethyl acetate.
Beware of all Organic Liquids.
 Once again - Beware of all Organic Liquids. Even
though a strict definition of combustible liquid might not
include liquids with flash points above 200 degrees F.
Flammable Solids  Carbon based -coal, Phosphorus (white),
 Metals Aluminum, Magnesium
 Picric Acid - also an explosive
Compressed Gases Acetylene- flammmable range is from 2.5 to 83 percent.
Every time released in flammable range.
 Hydrogen - - these gases have same hazards as other
flammables but now Under pressure
 Always check MSDS, now in folder in each room. If not let
me know.
Explosives Definition: any material or device that is created specifically
for the purpose of exploding which it will do upon demand.
 Definition eliminates all materials that will explode but were
not created or designed to function that way
Materials that will explode under certain
conditions –
 Materials that will explode under certain conditions  Increases in Temperature Decompose quickly
 Become dangerously reactive
 Light mechanical shock can begin reactions
 Certain chemicals when mixed
Other Dangers
 Chemicals impurities ( organic peroxides - from Ether)
 Ammonium Nitrate
 Organic Peroxides- Ether forms peroxides – unstable
 Natural gas
 Flammable gases
 Vapors of flammable and combustible liquids
 Metal and organic powders
 Monomers- simple, small molecule that has capabiltiy of reacting
with itself to form giant molecule called a polymer.
 Safety – Hazards associated with
Flammable/Combustibles and explosives
 Read the MSDS – protective equipment - what to wear, how
stored, how to handle properly and safely, PEL’s, signs and
symptoms of exposure.
 If need additional information – my office(ext. 3665) or EOHS.
 Read Labels - You are only person who can make the
area you work safe as possible.
 VIDEO - Flammable & Explosives – QUIZ
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Flammables
Xylene example
Flash point
Limits - Flammability - too lean, too rich
Toxic Limits
Ignition Temp.
Ethyl Ether- hot plate
NO OPEN FLAME OR HOT PLATE
Use Heating Mantle or Water Bath
MSDS- Fp and Ignition temp
Static Electricity
Adequate Ventilation
Flashback - use arresters
Storage and Cleanup
 Secondary Containers
 Storing - Flammable Cabinets no direct sunlight
 Label
 Avoid bench top and hood storage
 Liter or more store in Flamm. Cabinet - here all flammable in
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cabinet
Gases - not color coded - Read MSDS
Clean up - EOHS- we do not fit of want to use respirators.
Vermiculite- does not absorb vapors
CLEAN UP call me, and I will contact EOHS.
Explosives-Know what you are
working with
 MSDS
 Shock, catalyst
 Impurities
 Organic Peroxides - unstable
 Date Ether
 Container - look for contaminant
Fire - What to do
 Fire - What to do
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R
A
C
E
(get out)
Rescue
Alarm
Close Door
Extinguish. - Exit
If feel can extinguish  If feel can extinguish 
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P
A
S
S
Pull the pin
Aim
squeeze the handle
Sweep
PLAN
 When working with Dangerous chemicals - Take time –
PLAN
 QUESTIONS