combustible liquid 3

[Patrick1000]

I'm using a parts cleaning machine with a solvent (class II flash point above 37,8 oC).
After empty all the liquid from the bottom storage tank, I was wondering if you could use a commercial shopvac to vacuum the small amount of contaminated residu ? Whta about the risk of incendive or explosion ?
curently it is a garage, so there is no hazardous classification !
Is there any standard applicable for that situation ??
NEC or NFPA ??
Thanks for the help

Patrick

 

[BJC]

"I was wondering if you could use a commercial shopvac to vacuum ..."
Not me , but you can do it, once- may twice if your lucky.

Check your shop vac, there a pretty good arc in most of them, on most of them you can see it.

 

[jraef]

Wow, what a concept!
A) I am handling a known combustible liquid
B) I am using a piece of equipment that will inherently volatize it, thus LOWERING the combustion point and INCREASING the explosive effects.
C) Said equipment is electrical and not designed as Explosion Proof

A+B+C = D

D = Death or Dismemberment

"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"

 

[Patrick1000]

Yes it is an incredibly suicide way to operate. The guys work this way for many years and nothing happened !!

Before vaccum the solvent tank, they dry it with absorbent material to leave a semi dry solid in the bottom..

The good sense is to use a class 1 div 1 equipment to do the job. To demonstrate and reinforce the obligation on a technically and legislative point of view, i'm looking for standards reference (CSA, UL, ANSI, API, NFPA) or any documents pertinent. Don't forget, it is for an application in a non hazardous place but with hazardous material confined between a part cleaning machine and the vacuum vessel.

Thanks you again for your comments

Patrick

 

[rbalex]

I would suggest reviewing NFPA 497 Setion 2-2.7.1:

"With Class II liquids, the degree of hazard is lower because the vapor release rate is low at the normal handling and storage temperatures. In general, these liquids will not form ignitable mixtures with air at ambient temperatures unless heated above their flash points. Also, the vapors will not travel as far because they tend to condense as they are cooled by ambient air. Class II liquids should be considered capable of producing an ignitable mixture near the point of release when handled, processed, or stored under conditions where the liquid may exceed its flash point."

If the Class II liquid is the only volatile material involved, the operation as you have described it would not be a concern.

 

[aviat]

The company at the site below sells vacuum cleaners approved for fuel tanks etc.

http://www.tiger-vac.com/Products/ExplosionProof/Explosion Proof Vacuum Applications.html