DOE-HDBK-1015/2-93Hazards of Chemicals and GasesFLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDSRev. 0CH-05Page 39Figure 9 Storage Container With Spring-loaded CoverA summary of reports of experimental evidence and practical experience in the petroleumindustry shows that no significant increase in fire safety is gained by the use of spark-resistanthand tools in the presence of gasoline and similar hydrocarbon vapors. However, some materialssuch as carbon disulfide, acetylene, and ethyl ether have very low ignition energy requirements.For these and similar materials, the use of special tools designed to minimize the danger ofsparks in hazardous locations can be recognized as a conservative safety measure.Leather-faced, plastic, and wood tools are free from the friction-spark hazard, although metallicparticles may possibly become embedded in them.Flammable and combustible liquids and their vapors may create health hazards from both skincontact and inhalation of toxic vapors. Irritation results from the solvent action of manyflammable liquids on the natural skin oils and tissue. A toxic hazard of varying degree exists inpractically all cases, depending on the concentration of the vapor.Most vapors from flammable and combustibleliquids are heavier than air and will flow intopits, tank openings, confined areas, and lowplaces in which they contaminate the normalair, and cause a toxic as well as explosiveatmosphere. Oxygen deficiency occurs inclosed containers, such as a tank which hasbeen closed for a long time, and in whichrusting has consumed the oxygen. Allcontainers should be aired and tested for toxicand flammable atmosphere as well as theoxygen level before entry.StorageClass I and Class II liquids should not be keptor stored in a building except in approvedcontainers, as illustrated in Figure 9, withineither a storage cabinet or a storage room thatdoes not have an opening that communicateswith the public portion of the building. Thespring-loaded cover is designed to open inorder to relieve internal vapor pressure.Quantities stored in such locations should belimited. They should not be stored so as to limit use of exits, stairways, or areas normally usedfor the safe egress of people. Neither should they be stored close to stoves or heated pipes, norexposed to the rays of the sun or other sources of heat.
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