Safety measures for flammable liquids

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Safety measures for flammable liquids: The measures to prevent fires and explosions caused by flammable liquids are based on the following 5 techniques and principles: ① Eliminating sources of fire； ②Remove air (oxygen) ； ③The liquid is stored in a closed container or device ； ④Ventilate to prevent the concentration of flammable liquid vapors from reaching the combustion range ； ⑤Replace air with an inert gas environment. The latter four methods are all aimed at preventing flammable liquids (vapors) from forming combustible or explosive mixtures with air. When all five methods are used simultaneously, the specific procedures are as follows: (1) Factories and warehouses for the production, use, and storage of flammable liquids should be built as structures with fire resistance ratings of level 1 or 2; they must have good ventilation, and smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited in their vicinity. They should also be kept away from sources of fire, heat, oxidizing agents, and acids. In summer, heat insulation and cooling measures should be in place; for flammable liquids with a flash point below 23°C, the warehouse temperature should generally not exceed 30°C℃ ； For low-boiling-point substances such as ether, carbon disulfide, and petroleum ether, cooling and refrigeration measures can be easily implemented in storage areas. Large quantities of benzene, ethanol, gasoline, etc. can generally be stored in storage tanks. The storage tank can be installed outdoors, but cooling measures such as water spraying should be employed when the temperature exceeds 30°C. (2) In areas where flammable liquids are used or stored, explosion-proof electrical equipment should be selected in accordance with relevant regulations and standards. During loading, unloading, and handling, it must be handled with care; operations that pose a safety risk such as rolling, rubbing, or dragging are strictly prohibited. The use of iron tools that can generate sparks and shoes with metal nails is strictly prohibited during work. Motor vehicles that must enter such locations should preferably be explosion-proof, and their exhaust pipes should be equipped with reliable spark extinguishers as well as protective baffles or insulation panels to prevent flammable materials from falling onto the exhaust pipes. (3) When filling flammable liquids, more than 5% of empty space should remain in the container; it must not be filled to the brim, in order to prevent the liquids from expanding or causing an explosion due to heat. (4) It must not be stored together with other chemical hazards. A hazardous materials cabinet can be used to store small quantities of bottled flammable liquids intended for experiments or as samples, with storage organized by type; items with incompatible properties such as oxidizers should not be kept in the same compartment. (5) When determining the degree of hazard of flammable and combustible liquids, as well as storage conditions, equipment used, lighting, insulation, and temperature inside the warehouse, the flash point of the liquid must be taken into account. For the storage of liquids with a low flash point, underground or semi-underground warehouses are commonly used; when necessary, the liquid portion of the storage tanks is filled with nitrogen to prevent contact with air, and the liquids should be handled in sealed equipment. (6) Summer transportation must comply with local specific regulations when entering and leaving the warehouse as well as during transportation in the early morning and evening. A proper grounding system is required during transportation, pumping, and filling to prevent static electricity buildup. Tankers transporting flammable liquids should be equipped with grounding wire chains, and the tank can be fitted with perforated baffles to reduce static electricity generated by vibrations inside the tank. (7) Since warehouses for flammable liquids are usually located in remote areas of the facility or city, at a certain distance from other surrounding buildings, they are prone to being struck by lightning. Therefore, effective lightning protection systems must be installed to prevent fire accidents caused by lightning strikes. The lightning protection device installed can be an independent lightning rod, or lightning rods can be installed on the firewalls of each warehouse; their height must be determined through calculation. (8) During transportation, the filling location should be kept away from storage tank areas, power sources, heat sources, fire sources, etc. The electrical equipment used must be explosion-proof, and indoor ventilation systems should be equipped with fire spark suppression devices. Filling and unloading should be carried out last and first respectively. It is strictly prohibited to use plastic tanks for filling and transporting flammable liquids, in order to prevent fire accidents caused by the accumulation of static electricity. (9) The vapors of the vast majority of flammable liquids are toxic and can enter the human body through the respiratory tract, causing harm. Special attention should be paid to ensuring that the packaging of flammable liquids is in good condition. Ventilation measures should be strengthened during the operation. During the summer or in case of a fire, the concentration of toxic gases in the air increases, so extra care must be taken to prevent poisoning. (10) Appropriate fire extinguishing equipment should be provided based on the nature of the stored items, and it must always be kept in good condition. Employees should be regularly organized to conduct fire drills in order to become proficient in using various fire-fighting equipment.