6.

0 Safety and Health

6.1 Safety considerations

6.1.1 Personnel and the public

6.1.2 Product serviceability

6.1.3 Test validity

6.14 Safe work practices

6.2 Safety precautions

6.2.1 Explosive/implosive hazards

6.2.2 Flammability, ignitibility, combustibility hazards

Boiling Points of Flammable Liquids
The boiling point of a liquid is that temperature at which the vapor pressure of the
liquid equals the atmospheric pressure.Liquids with low boiling
points generally volatilize more readily than those with higher boiling points.

Factors Influencing Hazards of Flammable Liquids

The degree of danger depends on the following:
(1) the flash point of the liquid, (2) the concentration of vapors in the air (whether the
mixture of vapor and air is in the flammable range) and
(3) the possibility of an ignition source at or above a temperature sufficient to cause
the mixture to burst into flame

Precautions for Flammable Liquids

In the handling and use of flammable liquids, exposure of large liquid surfaces
to air should be prevented.

flammable liquids should be handled and stored in closed containers.The flash point of a
liquid is the lowest temperature at which it gives off enough vapor to form flammable
mixtures with air and to produce a flame when a source of ignition is brought close to
the surface. Other properties are factors in determining the hazards of flammable
liquids, but the flash point is the principal factor.

Auto ignition temperature is the lowest temperature at which a flammable gas or

vapor-and-air mixture will ignite under defined conditions without an external
source of ignition. Flammable vapors and gases in oxygen will spontaneously ignite at
a lower temperature than in air and their auto ignition temperature may be influenced
by the presence of catalytic substances.
Containers for Flammable Liquids

Restriction of Smoking and Lighters in Flammable Material Areas

Vapor pressure is the partial pressure (in kilopascal or in lbf·in–2) exerted by the
vapor of a volatile liquid, when in equilibrium with the surface of the liquid,
as determined by standard ASTM D 323, Test Method for Vapor Pressure of
Petroleum Products (Reid Method).9

6.2.3 Toxicity and asphyxiation hazards

Tracer gas safety aspects such as flammability, asphyxiation or specific physiological

effects as well as the possibility of pressure vessel explosions must be considered

Tracer gas safety aspects such as flammability, asphyxiation or specific physiological effects as well as the
possibility of pressure vessel explosions must be considered
The oxygen required for breathing may be accidentally removed from an area. For
example, if one of the halogenated hydrocarbons is used as a tracer gas, it
may stagnate and settle to the lowest area.
If a technician is attempting to use a detector probe in this low area, the tracer gas that
settles may eventually displace enough of the air to produce asphyxiation. To avoid
this condition, adequate ventilation must be provided. However, this ventilation must
be performed carefully.

6.2.4 Cleaning and electrical hazards

Hazards of Static Electricity with Flammable Materials

Static electricity is an accumulation of motionless charges generated by the contact and separation of

dissimilar materials. For example, static electricity is generated when a fluid flows through a pipe or from an

orifice into a vessel and may set up high voltages. The principal hazards created by static electricity are those

of fire and explosion caused by spark discharges occurring in the presence of flammable or explosive vapors,

gases or dust. A spark between two bodies occurs when there is no good electrical conductive path between

them. Hence, grounding and bonding of flammable liquid containers is necessary to prevent static electricity

from causing a spark.

A discharge of static electricity is a possible cause of ignition, so all metal parts likely to become charged should be
grounded.

When testing with gases such as hydrogen, it would also be sensible for personnel to avoid wearing clothing that
might produce static charges and for them to wear shoes with conducting soles. Another precaution is the use of reduced
sparking or nonsparking tools.

Bonding and Grounding to Prevent Electric Sparks

Bonding is done to eliminate a difference in potential between objects.

The purpose of grounding is to eliminate a difference in potential between an object and ground .
Although bonding will eliminate a difference in potential between the objects that are bonded, it will not
eliminate a difference in potential between these objects and the earth unless one of the objects possesses an adequate
conductive path to earth. Therefore, bonding will not eliminate the static charge but will only equalize the potential
between the objects bonded.

Avoidance of Sources of Ignition of Flammable Gases and Vapors

Electrical equipment may also present a problem. If there is a possibility that, in the event of leakage, such equipment
will be in an explosive environment, then either the equipment should be re positioned outside the danger
area or specifically chosen equipment should be used .

6.3 Pressure precautions

6.3.1 Pressure test versus proof test

6.3.2 Preliminary leak test

6.3.3 Pressurization check

6.3.4 Design limitations

635 Equipment and setup

6.4 Safety devices

641 Pressure control valves and regulators
642 Pressure relief valves and vents

643 Flow rate of regulator and relief valves

6.5 Hazardous and tracer gas safety

6.5.1 Combustible gas detection and safely

6.5.2 Toxic gas detection and safety

6.5.3 Oxygen-deficiency detectors

6.5.4 Radioisotope detection

6.6 Types of monitoring equipment

6.6.1 Area monitors

 6.6.2 Personnel monitors

Personnel Protection Badges to Warn of Excessive Exposure to Toxic Gases

Personnel protection indicators (PPIs) are plastic badges with pocket clips that have
sensors that react chemically with concentrations of various gases or vapors used as
tracers in leak testing.`

These personnel protection indicators are sensitive to the accumulated personal

exposure of the badge wearer to the concentration of gas in the leak testing area.

6.6.3 Leak-locating devices

6.7 Safety

6.7.1 State and federal regulations

6.7.2 Safety codes/standards

6.7.3 Hazardous gas standards

6.7.4 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) radiation requirements