Testing Explosives Security
Testing Explosives Security
Testing Explosives Security
Testing explosives:
Considerations for an
intrinsically safe laboratory
Certain materials are intrinsically hazardous they are hazardous in and of themselves regardless of how
they are handled. Examples include explosive powders such as black powder, or explosive gases such as
propane. Industries working with these materials are highly regulated so accidents are rare.
Laboratories working with these materials may not be subject to the same level of regulation as industry is
because of the small quantities used for laboratory scale procedures and the controlled conditions in use
such as ventilation fume hoods.
However, when a laboratory routinely examines materials with explosive hazards, an elevated risk of
accidental detonation will exist. An intrinsically safe laboratory is the best environment to manipulate such
materials. Though it may be impossible for a laboratory to be safe in and of itself, careful planning and
preparation will produce a workplace that is compatible with these hazardous materials. Such planning
includes giving consideration to building design, laboratory procedures, and personnel behavior as well as
having contingencies in place should a catastrophic failure of these systems result in an explosion.
By J. Keith Butler
INTRODUCTION
Certain materials
are intrinsically
hazardous they are
hazardous in and of
themselves regardless
of how they are
handled.
J. Keith Butler is affiliated with a
defense contractor to the US Army.
He resides in Tennessee, United States
(Tel.: 731 414 6598; fax: 731 686 6433;
e-mail: [email protected]).
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industries are normal industrial accidents such as slips, trips, falls, back
strain, cuts and abrasions, etc.
Laboratories working with these
materials may not be subject to the
same level of regulation because of
the small quantities used for laboratory scale procedures and the controlled conditions in use such as
ventilation fume hoods. Protective
measures are required only if the
hazardous materials have potential
to exist in explosive concentrations
by routine or by accident. For example
laboratories routinely use diethyl
ether without incident and without
extraordinary measures.
However, when a laboratory routinely manipulates materials with explosive hazards, an elevated risk of
accidental detonation will exist. An
intrinsically safe laboratory is the best
environment to manipulate such materials. Though it may be impossible for a
laboratory to be safe in and of itself,
careful planning and preparation will
produce a workplace that is compatible with these hazardous materials.
Such planning includes giving consideration to building design, laboratory
procedures, and personnel behavior as
well as having contingencies in place
should a catastrophic failure of these
systems result in an explosion.
1871-5532/$36.00
doi:10.1016/j.jchas.2009.02.006
The NEC describes hazardous environments in two ways. The North American classification includes classes,
divisions, and groups. An alternate
classification system of European
origin classifies hazardous locations
by Class and Zone. The Class/Division/Group system will be presented
in more detail here. An introduction
to the Zone classification system will
follow.
Hazardous environments are classified in three ways depending on the
source of the hazard:
Class I flammable gases and vapors
Class II combustible dusts
Class III ignitable fibers or flyings
The petroleum and gas industries are
examples of operations where Class I
environments may be encountered.
These environments may have flammable gases and vapors present in the
air in ignitable concentrations. The
hazard is obvious. Any laboratory involved in research or analysis may from
time to time encounter gases such as
acetylene or hydrogen or vapors from
solvents such as ether, acetone or gasoline. Precautions should always be
taken to avoid the formation of ignitable concentrations. If this cannot be
controlled with absolute certainty, protective measures should be taken.
Within this classification are two divisions:
Division 1 for environments where
ignitable concentrations can exist
under normal conditions; and,
Division 2 for environments where
volatile flammable liquids/gases are
normally confined to closed systems,
but could escape under accidental or
abnormal conditions.
Figure 1. A simple laboratory is constructed with 3 strong walls and 1 weak wall to
blow-out. There is a reinforced dividing wall to serve as a barrier that separates
explosion hazards from less hazardous activities. Also notice the earthen barricade
adjacent to the building to protect near-by structures.
Conductive flooring offers no protection unless the analyst is conductively connected to the floor. Antistatic leg or heel straps or conductive
shoe covers can be worn by the analyst
that function much like wrist straps by
connecting a conductor to skin on the
leg or foot with the grounded conductive floor. Disadvantages are that the
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Figure 3. Explosion proof light switch thick walled, assembled with large screws
weighing 2 pounds.
Figure 4. Light fixtures: (A) fluorescent, notice the rigid conduit connections, the
reinforced diffuser glass, the gasket seal between the glass and bulb compartment,
the thickness of the sheet metal. (B) Incandescent, notice the heavy globe surrounded
by a protective cage, the elaborate enclosure to protect from heat as well as arc, and
the label indicating that the fixture is suitable for use in hazardous locations.
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Table 1. Cost comparison of components for providing electrical service to a conventional location and to a Class I, Division 1 hazardous location.
Conventional
wiring10
Class I, Division
1 wiring11
$6.49
$4.67
$4.77
$22.99
$12.79
$25.65
$554.49
$160.10
$955.70
$274.45
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Figure 5. Manual analytical balance with light source isolated in an explosion proof
system with a magnifying lens to focus the light as needed to illuminate the balance
scale. Heat vents above the original location of the bulb have been sealed to keep
explosive dusts out of the balance. Also notice the explosion proof toggle switch to
the left of the balance.
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CONCLUSIONS
Figure 6. Factory supplied purge gas option for a moisture balance to render it
suitable for use in a hazardous location. Notice that the inert gas is split to purge
both the upper portion holding the heating element as well as the lower portion
holding the balance mechanism and electronics.
6.
7.
8.
9.
I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations: Type of Protection Encapsulation, 2005, ISBN/ID: 978-1-55617960-0.
ANSI/ISA-61241-10 (12.10.05)-2004,
Electrical Apparatus for Use in
Zone 20, Zone 21 and Zone 22
Hazardous (Classified) Locations
Classification of Zone 20, Zone 21
and Zone 22 Hazardous (Classified)
Locations, 2004, ISBN/ID: 978-155617-931-0.
US Army manual: TM 5-1300 Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental
Explosions, November 1990.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor
Rule for Explosives and Blasting
agents, 29 CFR 1910.109.
Kelly, J. Gunpowder, Alchemy, Bombards & Pyrotechnics: The History of
10.
11.
12.
13.
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