Halotron I extinguishers , like carbon dioxide units, are "clean agents" that leave no residue after discharge. Halotron I is less damaging to the Earth's ozone layer than Halon 1211 (which was banned by international agreements starting in 1994). This "clean agent" discharges as a liquid, has high visibility during dischage, does not cause thermal or static shock, leaves no residue and is non-conducting. These properties make it ideal for computer rooms, clean rooms, telecommunications equipment, and electronics. These superior properties of Halotron I come at a higher cost relative to carbon dioxide. FE-36 TM (Hydrofluorocarbon-236fa or HFC-236fa) is another "clean agent" replacement for Halon 1211. This DuPont-manufactured substance is available commercially in Cleanguard® extinguishers. The FE-36 agent is less toxic than both Halon 1211 and Halotron I. In addition, FE-36 has zero ozone-depleting potential; FE-36 is not sc...

Here are some typical extinguishers and their uses: Water extinguishers (not pictured and not found in laboratories) are suitable for class A (paper, wood etc.) fires, but not for class B, C and D fires such as burning liquids, electrical fires or reactive metal fires. In these cases, the flames will be spread or the hazard made greater! Water mist extinguishers are suitable for class A and C; see below. Dry chemical extinguishers are useful for either class ABC or class BC fires (check the label) and are your best all around choice for common fire situations. They have an advantage over CO 2 and "clean agent" extinguishers in that they leave a blanket of non-flammable material on the extinguished material which reduces the likelihood of reignition. They also make a terrible mess - but if the choice is a fire or a mess, take the mess! Note that there are two kinds of dry chemical extinguishers: Type BC fire extinguishers contain sodium or potassium...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) classifies fires into five general categories (U.S.): Class A fires are ordinary materials like burning paper, lumber, cardboard, plastics etc. Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, and common organic solvents used in the laboratory. Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes, power tools, hot plates and stirrers. Water can be a dangerous extinguishing medium for class C fires because of the risk of electrical shock unless a specialized water mist extinguisher is used. Class D fires involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium as well as pyrophoric organometallic reagents such as alkyllithiums, Grignards and diethylzinc. These materials burn at high temperatures and will react violently with water, air, and/or other chemicals. Handle with care!! Class K fires are kitchen fires. This class was ...

HMIS: Hazardous Materials Identification System HMIS: Health Hazard Rating Chart * Chronic Hazard - Chronic(long-term) health effects may result repeated overexposure. 0= Minimal Hazard - No significant risk to health 1= Slight Hazard - Irritation or minor reversible injury possible 2= Moderate Hazard - Temporary or minor injury may occur. 3= Serious Hazard - Major injury likely unless prompt action is taken and medical treatment is given. 4= Severe Hazard - Life-threatening, major or permanent damage may result from single or repeated overexposures. HMIS: Flammability Hazard Rating Chart 0= Minimal Hazard - Materials that will not burn. 1= Slight Hazard - Materials that must be preheated before ignition will occur. Includes liquids, solids and semi solids having a flash point above 200° F. (Class IIIB) 2= Moderate Hazard - Materials which must be moderately heated or exposed to high ambient temperatures before ignition will occur. Includes liquids ha...

WHMIS: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS, known as SIMDUT, Système d'information sur les matières dangereuses utilisées au travail in French , Canada's other national language) is Canada 's national workplace hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system, which came into effect on October 31, 1988, are cautionary labelling of containers of WHMIS controlled products, the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and site-specific training programs. WHMIS is an example of synchronization and cooperation amongst Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments. The coordinated approach avoided duplication, inefficiency through loss of scale and the interprovincial trade barriers that would have been created had each province and territory established its own hazard communication system.

What is NFPA 704? The standard provides a readily recognized, easily understood system for identifying specific hazards and their severity using spatial, visual, and numerical methods to describe in simple terms the relative hazards of a material. It addresses the health, flammability, instability, and related hazards that may be presented as short-term, acute exposures that are most likely to occur as a result of fire, spill, or similar emergency. Should I use this system in my facility? The 704 rating system is applicable to industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities that manufacture, process, use, or store hazardous materials. It is important to note that the standard is not applicable to transportation or for use by the general public. This is a relevant matter, because the NFPA 704 system is often confused with the placarding required by the Department of Transportation for hazardous materials. The standard is also not applicable to chronic exposures or ...

Chemicals Listed as Carcinogenic in “NIOSH Pocket Guide to Hazardous Chemicals” (1990) Acetaldehyde 2-Acetylaminofluorene Acryl amide Acrylonitrile Aldrin 4-Aminobiphenyl Aniline Anisidine Arsenic and compounds Arsine Asbestos Benzene Benzidine Beryllium 1,3-Butadiene tert-Butyl chromate Cadmium dust Cadmium fume Carbon black Carbon tetrachloride Chlordane Chlorinated camphene Chlorodiphenyl(42 and 54%chlorine) Chloroform bis-Chioromethyl ether Chloromethyl methyl ether beta-Chloroprene Chromic acid and chromates Coal tar pitch DDT 1 ,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane p-Dichlorobenzene 3,3-Dich1orobenzidine (and its salts) Dichloroethyl ether Dieldrin Diglycidyl ether 4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene 1,1-Dimethylhydrazine Deimethyl sulfate Dinitrotoluene Di-sec octyl phthalate Dioxane Epichlorohydrin Ethyl acrylate Ethylene dibromide Ethylene dichloride Ethyleneimine Ethylene oxide Formaldehyde Heptachlo Hexachioroethane Hydrazine Methoxychlor Met...