Fluoroelastomer Specialists
Potentially flammable and hazardous chemicals such as acetone and isopropyl alcohol are often stored in 55-gallon or larger drums for dispensing into smaller containers or at the point of use. Environmental, health, and safety directors often must identify the best type of pump to transfer these liquids as the wrong type of pump, or worse, employees tipping and pouring out contents, can be catastrophic. Accidental release of toxic or highly flammable materials can cause worker injuries, fires, and explosions.
SDS, GHS
Hazardous chemicals must include safety data sheets (SDS) and globally harmonized system (GHS)-compliant labels. The United Nations established GHS to create a worldwide, unified system to identify and communicate information about hazardous chemicals.
The SDS details potential environmental hazards, what to do in the event of small and large spills, and suggestions for treating injuries related to inhaling or coming into physical contact with chemicals. The SDS also identify required personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe storage guidelines.
Depending on the chemical substance, SDS can include descriptions of severe injuries, transgenic damage to cells and organs, and the possibility of death. For example, the SDS for the widely used solvent acetone mentions its extreme flammability and how it “burns with yellow bright flames… Vapors can flow along surfaces to distant ignition sources and flash back… even minimal static discharge can ignite acetone vapors.”
With such dire consequences in mind, proper storage and handling are outlined to prevent dangerous situations. For flammable and combustible liquids, that advice is consistent across most SDS and states:
Avoid breathing fumes or vapors
Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, or hot surfaces (to avoid ignition)
Keep containers tightly closed
Bring in grounding or bonding devices for the container, receiving equipment
Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating, or lighting equipment (to avoid ignition)
Take precautionary measures against static discharge (to avoid ignition)
Most states and municipalities have further adopted NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106, fire codes addressing flammable liquid equipment, handling, storage, and use.
Ensuring safe delivery of chemicals requires proper safety training, use of PPE, and in some cases, further engineering controls.
Although SDS don’t state it directly, most – if not all – requirements spell out the need for a specialty pump to transfer flammable or combustible chemicals to smaller containers or at the point of use to maintain workplace safety.
Transfer equipment requirements
Whether mandatory or guideline, ensuring safe chemical transfer requires a sealed or closed-loop pump system that keeps vapors from escaping the container and prevents personnel contact. Systems must be designed using materials and seals that can withstand extended contact with the chemical and must include grounding wires to prevent static discharge. A sealed pump dispensing system enhances safety by eliminating spills, enabling environmentally safe transfer.
Read more: Handling flammable chemicals
