Flammable Liquids - Gasoline Gasoline is the most common flammable liquid manufactured and used. Because virtually everyone uses gasoline it is often assumed that everyone is familiar with its dangerous properties. However, as familiarity breeds contempt (or at least carelessness) it may be a good idea to review this highly hazardous material. Here are some brief but important items to remember when dealing with gasoline. Gasoline as a liquid does not burn. It is the vapors that the liquid gives off that burn. Vapors usually can not be seen but frequently travel long distances to a source of ignition. Thus the...

Electrical Sources in Hazardous Locations Electrical fires can be reduced by using the proper electrical installations and the proper equipment. Hazardous locations require specially designed electrical equipment to protect people and property against increased fire potential. Certain electrical components and instruments are engineered specifically for locations designated as hazardous due to the possible presence of ignitable quantities of flammable liquids, gases, vapors, combustible dust or ignitable fibers. Hazardous locations are classified as Class I, Class II, or Class III. The class is dependent on the physical properties of the combustible materials that may be expected to be present. Class I locations are those...

That Container Only Looks Empty! Containers that have held flammable or combustible liquids can remain explosive even after the liquid has been removed. The liquid in the container is replaced by air which mixes with the hazardous vapors. This combination can be explosively ignited by a spark or heat. In fact, these containers are normally more explosive than a full container. How many times have you seen a 5 gallon pail or a 55 gallon drum being used as a welding or grinding stand? This is very dangerous. Any sparks produced could ignite the vapors. Also, the torch flame, heating the container,...

Boiler Safety Workers that use, maintain, and service boilers know that they can be potentially dangerous. Boilers are gas-fired or electric closed vessels that heat water or other liquid to generate steam. The steam is superheated under pressure and used for power, heating or other industrial purposes. Though boilers are usually equipped with a pressure relief valve, if the boiler fails to contain the expansion pressure, the steam energy is released instantly. This combination of exploding metal and superheated steam can be extremely dangerous. Only trained and authorized workers should operate a boiler. Workers should be familiar with the boiler manufacturers operating...