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4-6.1 Causes and Prevention of Fires and Explosions - Cont'd .
hot engines exhaust piping, burning or glowing carbon particles in the exhaust piping, backfiring, and others.
d.
Sparks caused by electrical currents is another common source of ignition in fuel handling operations. The heat
in this case is a spark, such as may occur when battery terminals are connected or when an electrical switch is operated.
Other examples of sparks from electrical currents are: arcing of generator brushes, arcing of welding machine brushes,
arcing of brushes in electric motors and tools, and the sparks that occur in short circuits.
e.
Electrical storms can cause a passage of current or a residual static charge in equipment and result in sparks or
arcing.
f.
Open flames and lights are obvious ignition sources. Similar to this is the hazard of standard electric light bulbs,
and photo-flash bulbs. Should any of these bulbs break, the filament would be hot enough to ignite a vapor air mixture
and cause a fire or explosion.
g.
Other precautions against fires and explosions are given below:
WARNINGS
1.
Personnel should wear nonstatic-producing clothing such as cotton. Nylon, wool, silk and certain plastics should
not be worn.
2.
Keep all grounding connections clean, unpainted and in good condition.
3.
Never begin any fuel handling operation until all equipment is properly grounded and bonded.
4.
Do not use a chamois filter for filtering fuels. Chamois filters increase the danger of static electricity.
5.
Allow no smoking within 100 feet of any refueling operation.
6.
Do not permit or use open fires, matches, cigarette lighters, oil lanterns, or similar open flames within 100 feet of
fuel handling operations.
7.
Never perform any repair work during fuel handling operations or while in a hazardous area.
8.
Do not use any flashlights, drop lights, and extension cords, except those approved for use in hazardous
locations.
9.
Do not carry any matches or cigarette lighters in pockets.
10.
Discontinue fuel handling operations at approach of electrical storms.
11.
Be certain that no heaters, welding torches, or blowtorches are being used within 100 feet of fuel handling
operations.
12.
Be certain that no internal combustion engines are being operated within 100 feet of fuel handling operations.
The only exception to this is engines necessary to the operations, which are specially equipped with spark arresters,
flame arresters, and other safety equipment.
4-12
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