December 18th, 2008 | 
Author: Our world is filled up of different gases. All of these portray an important role to maintain our atmosphere. They are also important in maintaining homeostasis in the environment. These gases are also needed for survival of the species. Looking at it, all of these gases are very much needed but some of them are very dangerous when present in large amounts in a particular area. They are usually compressed in tanks and when they leak, they can easily blend in with air as a mixture. The danger in here is when there are ignition sources, it either burns continuously or could possible create an explosion. Gases with such characteristics are what we usually refer to as flammable gases.
However, these gases have a lower or higher explosive/flammable levels. These are their upper and lower limits. Any value in between is what they consider the right concentration for them to explode. Anything beyond these limits, the gases are safe but going beyond the upper limit can create health problems. Despite, their danger levels, they are still much needed to perform both domestic and industrial functions. Examples of which are Acetylene, which is commonly used for welding and cutting. Another flammable gas is Hydrogen. This is an important factor in making fuel and generators. They are also famous for fueling air balloons or airships.
Therefore, anyone who works in the presence of these gases should take safety precautions. One of your fire-fighting equipment that you should have in hand is a powder fire extinguisher. They work by expelling powders whether it is a bicarbonate or Monoammonium phosphate. They are very useful because most extinguishers of this kind are multi-rated; meaning you can use them in more than once class of fire. Another thing that you should do is to keep the place ventilated. This helps the gas concentration to diffuse and maintain below limit ranges. You also have to ensure to do a spot check before using the gas and determine if there are leaks. It is also smart to avoid any activities that can cause ignition within the working area. Therefore, avoid smoking, activities that can cause friction, static and many others. Tanks of all sorts should be properly sealed and kept in their proper storage area. Avoid storing them in places prone to extreme temperatures. As much as possible, ensure everything is flameproof. You can also install flammable gases detector. They are helpful in identifying if the atmosphere has exceeded a particular level of the gas by triggering an alarm. This should give enough time for people to be aware that they are already on a danger zone and do all measures to avoid the worse from happening.
As you can see, these gases are very necessary but it is equally important to observe these safety precautions when using them. It is a good thing that you have powder fire extinguishers around you so that you can put out the flames once it is ignited. However, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, by simply doing these simple tips on how to avoid ignition and explosion can help a lot in providing a safe working environment.
Having specialized in the powder fire extinguishers trade for over 20 years, Brian now works tirelessly to promote affordable fire safety for home and for business.
Article Source: Occupational and Home Safety: How to Maintain Safety in the Presence of Flammable Gases
