Remember theGraf Hindenburg Zeppelin disaster?That's why today's blimps use helium instead. It had 4 x less lifting power than hydrogen, but it's basically inert.AlanOl' USAFR Flight Surgeon and sometimes pilot--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchasOn Fri, Apr 5, 2019 at 10:47 AM Richard Palluzi <000006c59248530b-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**lists.princeton.edu> wrote:--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchasI find it difficult to believe that anyone benefits from this type of incredibly risky demonstration. I call to everyone's attention that NFPA 45 Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals in Chapter 12 requires
12.2* Instructor Responsibilities. Where instructors are performing
demonstrations or students are conducting experiments
using hazardous materials, the instructor shall be required
to perform a documented hazard risk assessment,
provide a safety briefing to students, provide adequate personal
protective equipment (PPE), and place a safety barrier
(as required) between students and the demonstration or experiment
to prevent personal injury.
12.2.1* Instructors in teaching labs shall be trained and
knowledgeable in fire safety procedures, emergency plans, the hazards present in the lab, the appropriate use of PPE, and
how to properly conduct a hazard risk assessment.
I think few, if any, of these types of experiments would survive a real hazard assessment.
I also mention that there is an entire section 12.3.2 on Performance of Experiments or Demonstrations.
12.3.2.1 Experiments or demonstrations for students involving
open flames; fire; or the use of flammable, reactive, toxic
or corrosive chemicals shall be performed in accordance with
12.3.2.1.1, and 12.3.2.1.2, 12.3.2.1.3, or 12.3.2.1.4.
12.3.2.1.1 Experiments or demonstrations shall be performed
in a location that does not block access to the primary
means of egress from the laboratory work area.
12.3.2.1.2* Experiments or demonstrations that involve or
produce hazardous quantities of fumes, vapors, particulates,
or gases shall be performed in a chemical fume hood or other
ventilation device adequate to capture the materials being
evolved. This includes demonstration hoods or other devices
that meet the requirements of ANSI/AIHA Z9.5 2.1.1.
12.3.2.1.3 Experiments or demonstrations involving chemicals
that are performed outside a fume hood where the separation
distance in 12.3.2.1.4 is not possible shall be performed behind
an impact-resistant plastic or tempered-glass safety shield.
(1) The shield shall be at least 0.610 m (24 in.) high and shall
wrap 180 degrees around the hazard or extend at least
0.305 m (12 in.) beyond the hazard in both directions.
(2) The shield shall be secured to the work surface with bolts
or clamps to keep it in place.
12.3.2.1.4 Experiments or demonstrations involving chemicals
that are performed outside a fume hood where a shield is not
utilized shall be performed in a location that is at least 3.05 m
(10 ft.) from students.
12.3.2.2 Experiments or demonstrations using flammable
liquids and open flames shall be performed by a knowledgeable
instructor.
12.3.2.3 In educational and instructional laboratories where
experiments are conducted by students, the instructor shall be
responsible for conducting a safety briefing prior to the start
of each experiment to review the hazards of the chemicals
used, the personal protective equipment required for
This section was specifically added by the committee due to the number of accidents, near misses, and incredibly lucky incidents that keep occurring in schools during well meaning but incredibly poorly planned and implemented demonstrations.
I encourage all members to seriously read these requirements and carefully reconsider any type of demonstration that has significant risk. We can teach a chemistry without having to make students stand in front of an explosive mixture.
Richard Palluzi
PE, CSP
Pilot plant and laboratory consulting, safety, design,reviews, and training
www.linkedin.com/in/richardppalluzillc/
Richard P Palluzi LLC
72 Summit Drive
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
rpalluzi**At_Symbol_Here**verizon.net
908-285-3782
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of DAVID Katz
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2019 4:55 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Safety with Hydrogen-Filled Balloons
As a demonstrator, I have used hydrogen and hydrogen-oxygen filled balloons. They are always filled right before use and kept away from any ignition source or possible source of static electricity. I would also use lecture bottles of hydrogen so I could fill the balloons in class.. The cost of the lecture bottles, as opposed to standard cylinders, was minimal in view of the safety of not having to move the filled balloons from the lab to the classroom. For anyone using hydrogen-filled balloons for demonstrations, one or two balloons, of reasonable size, are sufficient. Although, I perfer a large test tube filled with as close to 100% hydrogen hydrogen as possible. I can reduce the lighting in the classroom and we can watch the hydrogen burn slowly and then observe the condensation formed on the walls of the test tube.
When I did my research, I used lecture bottles of reactive or flammable gases attached to the reaction apparatus when needed. Proper stands and clamping were used for the lecture bottles.. Again, the cost of the lecture bottles was minimal for the increased safety.
David
_________________________________________________________________________
David A. Katz
Chemist, Educator, Expert Demonstrator, Science Communicator, and Consultant
Programs and workshops for teachers, schools, museums, and the public
5003 Canby Dr. * Wilmington, DE 19808-1102 * USA
voice/fax: (302) 509-3282 * email: dakatz45**At_Symbol_Here**msn.com
Visit my web site: http://www.chymist.com
_________________________________________________________________________----- Original Message -----
From: Wilhelm, Monique
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2019 2:49 PM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Safety with Hydrogen-Filled Balloons
I was always taught to only use balloons for inert gases and that is what we follow where I am.
Monique Wilhelm
Laboratory Manager
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Michigan - Flint
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Craig Merlic
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2019 1:39 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Safety with Hydrogen-Filled Balloons
Colleagues,
Following up on the explosion at IIT-Bombay which injured a professor and 2 interns:
And the dramatic acetylene balloon explosion:
http://www.esdjournal.com/static/Kansas/dauer%20truck.htm
This raises questions about the very common synthetic technique used in research labs of using hydrogen-filled party balloons for small scale reduction reactions at atmospheric pressure. Researchers often fill party balloons with 1-5 liters of hydrogen at a regular gas cylinder, sometimes walk through the lab to their hood, and then connect the balloon to a reaction flask. (All that in contrast with hydrogenation under pressure in a Parr reactor using fixed high pressure lines.)
- Have there been reports of explosions when using hydrogen-filled balloons for lab reduction reactions?
- What safety precautions should be followed when balloons are used?
I can envision a number of things to do to avoid or discharge static electricity, but wonder if others have experience in this.
Thanks,
Craig Merlic
Professor of Chemistry
UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Executive Director
UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569
Voice: 310-825-5466
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--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas
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