FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS & BONDING & GROUNDING OF FLAMMABLE
HANDLING AND USING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Flammable Liquids
Flashpoint is the minimum temperature at
which a liquid gives off a sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid. As an example, gasoline has a flashpoint of55 degrees Fahrenheit. Flashpoint
HANDLING AND USING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS If the gasoline is below -55 degrees, it will not ignite. Flashpoint is a useful measurement when storing, handling, or using the liquid in different temperatures and situations. The flashpoint tells the potential for ignition at a certain temperature.
HANDLING AND USING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Flammable liquids in gases have a minimum concentration of vapor gas below, which circulation of the flame does not occur on contact with an ignition source. This minimum concentration of gas and air is known as LFL Lower Flammable Limit. The maximum portion of vapor or gas in air above which circulation of flame does not occur is known as the UFL Upper Flammable Limit.
HANDLING AND USING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS One-percent of gasoline vapor and air mixture is too lean; 8% of gasoline vapor is too rich. The flammable range is the difference between the LFL and UFL. The air and vapor mixture between the LFL and UFL are flammable and can be ignited by an ignition source.
HANDLING AND USING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS A 55-gallon drum filled with 1/4th of gasoline is more ignitable than a full 55-gallon drum of gasoline. Both drums have the same flashpoint, but one has a better chance of ignition due to the air and vapor mixture ratio. Auto Ignition is the minimum temperature at which flammable gas or vapor and air mixture will ignite from its own heat source.
HANDLING AND USING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Make sure to read the warning label on flammable liquids at work and home. Store flammable liquids in a cool, dry place and do not heat above 110 degrees. When a flammable liquid reaches its auto ignition temperature, it will ignite. The best method of preventing spontaneous ignition is total exclusion of air or good ventilation.
HANDLING AND USING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Materials such as sawdust, hay, grain, and other plant products may ignite spontaneously if exposed to external heat. In the work environment, all flammable liquids must be properly labeled, stored, handled, and disposed of according to company procedures and the manufacturers instructions.
HANDLING AND USING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS When a flammable liquid is within the explosive range, take extra precautions and follow the rules. The potential of mishaps always exist. Each worker holds the key to safety when working with flammable liquids. The key to safety is training the worker with the knowledge to know how to properly handle flammable liquids.
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Static Electricity Static electricity occurs when electrons are moved about on a surface. Static electricity can cause sparks that ignite flammable liquid when the vapor is ignited. Almost any movement can create static electricity. The friction of a comb moving through hair creates static electricity. Liquid moving through a pipe or hose creates static electricity.
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS When you touch something, static electricity flows through your body and accumulates at the point you touch. Static electricity shock is enough to let you know youve been shocked. Static electricity can be reduced by using a ground. A grounding wire to earth allows the electricity to flow to ground rather than through the body.
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Bonding and Grounding Gasoline is a flammable liquid and has a flashpoint of approximately -55 degrees. Flashpoint is the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid. An ignition source could be a spark from car spark plugs. Liquid
Flammable
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Bonding is done to eliminate a difference in electrical potential between objects. Bonding and grounding are effective only when the bonded objects are conductive such as a copper wire. Bonding will not eliminate the static charge, but will equalize the potential between the objects bonded so that a spark will not occur between them.
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS To ground a 55-gallon drum, attach a copper conductive wire to ground and to the drum. A good contact to the ground is a grounding rod driven several feet into the earth or to a grounded water pipe or other approved ground. The copper wire must connect solidly with the metal surface of the ground and to the metal surface of the 55-gallon drum. The metal drum must not be painted at the point where the ground wire is connected.
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS A safety professional or electrical engineer should test the bonding and grounding. If you properly ground a 55-gallon drum and a 5-gallon container, the potential of static electricity of electrons have no charge. Both bonded and grounded containers permit the electrons to flow in the liquid to go to ground eliminating sparks from static electricity.
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS When filling your cars gas tank, the stations main tank and pump are grounded and the connection of the metal nozzle touching the gas tank forms the bond between the car and gasoline pump. When transferring flammable liquid, you should bond and ground to eliminate an explosion from a static electric spark. Flammable liquid flowing through hoses and pipes are not the only cause of static electricity anything that moves electrons can create static electricity.
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
BONDING & GROUNDING
OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Always inspect the bonding and grounding wire for broken or separated conductors. Bonding and grounding systems should be checked regularly for electrical continuity. Many organizations recommend the use of barebraided flexible copper wire.