American Chemistry Council Solvents Industry Group January 2008. - p. 16.
Solvents have many beneficial uses but they must be used safely. This Guide provides general information about the safe use of hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents in industrial settings, with a particular emphasis on hazards of fire and explosion.
The Solvents Industry Group (SIG) of the American Chemistry Council, was established in 1995 to address health, safety, and environmental issues pertaining to modern hydrocarbon and oxygenated organic solvents. The SIG supports scientific research, participates in regulatory activities pertaining to solvents and works to ensure that solvents continue to be recognized as important components of a wide range of products that help make our lives safer and healthier, yet meet the challenges of today’s environmentally conscious world.
The Solvents Industry Group and its members promote the safe use of solvents with particular emphasis on hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents. Statutory and regulatory requirements regarding flammability are important and SIG members work to help educate solvent users, distributors, and transporters so they can better understand these requirements. Some hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents readily evaporate and are highly flammable. These solvents need to be managed carefully to minimize risks of a fire or explosion, whether use occurs in the home or in an industrial setting — particularly during
loading and unloading, storing and when used in bulk. Safe handling information provided by the
supplier should be carefully followed. Section One of this Guide is a summary of key issues associated with the safe use and handling of hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents in industrial settings. Section Two addresses the technical characteristics of the flammability of solvents in more detail, and is intended for readers who wish a more in-depth understanding of these characteristics. Topics include static electricity, flash point, autoignition temperature, solvent mists, minimum ignition energy, and sources of ignition. A glossary of some of the terms used in this guide is provided at the end of the document. Many of the characteristics of hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents can be understood from the general overview provided in this Guide. However, this Guide is not intended to cover specific solvents, nor specific applications of solvents. Solvent users should consult with the solvent supplier or solvent manufacturer, and view product information for instructions on how to handle specific solvents. For more information, see the Legal Notice for this Guide.
