Fire Prevention

TM 5-6640-213-14

(3) Fire Prevention. Fire prevention includes good house-

keeping to eleminate combustible materials, proper handling of sup-

plies and samples to control formation of flammable vapors or fumes,

and proper regard for sources of igniton.

Do not smoke in laboratory, confine smoking to

permitted areas, and police those areas daily.

Keep gas jets closed when not in use. Check

burners and connecting tubing frequently to be sure

that they are not faulty. Replace defective tubing

when it is discovered.

Never leave an open flame or electric heater

unattended while in use. Make sure there is no

open flame or heating element in use in the area

when voltatile liquids are poured.

Discard organic products in authorized containers,

never in sinks or drain systems.

Keep flammable products or other liquids away from

sources of heat such as engine exhausts, open

flames, and direct sunlight, and keep them away

from circuit breakers, electrical switches and

motors.

Never discard hot liquids in drains. Set them aside

to cool in covered containers before discarding them.

Make sure that chemicals that are unsafe in close

proximity are stored in separate areas.

Clean up immediately the areas of spills involving

flammable or hazardous vapors or fumes.

When heating fluids which may superheat, use glass

beads or fragments to prevent boiling over or

spattering.

When diluting acids, pour acid into the water.

Avoid pouring water into acid because this could

cause spattering.

Make sure that equipment is fixed firmly in posi-

tion before starting a heating operation.

Keep heat and open flames away from gas cylinders.

Never drop a gas cylinder to the floor or ground.

Check electrical wiring and equipment for defective

or loose connections or frayed insulations frequent-

ly. Check line load on circuits to prevent over-

loading individual circuits.

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