Straight oil machining coolants 1

[tomwalz]

Intro:

The application is general machining including, but not limited to, grinding tungsten carbide. Machining of all metals is also involved

There is a significant trend away from water based coolants into ‘straight oil’ coolants largely for reasons of machine wear, coolant life and general cleanliness.

As I understand it the NFPA state the water based coolant should be used. (NFPA Handbook 3-146). That is a fairly old reference and I do not know if there is something newer.

Questions:
1. Is there an NFPA position on straight oil coolants?
2. Is there a position on fire suppression systems in the use of straight oil coolants?

Thank you,

Tom


Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.

 

[stookeyfpe]

NFPA does not have a standard on machining coolants. The closest standard I located contained requirements for heated hydrocarbon heat transfer fluids, which is not germane to your question.

NFPA 30 classifies these coolants as Class IIIB combustible liquids and generally would not require an automatic fire extinguishing system. The 2006 International Fire Code, which adopts NFPA 30 be reference, has no requirements until the amount in storage is > 13,200 gallons. If this volume is exceeded, the building would require an automatic sprinkler system.

If your looking for guidance from a loss control perspective, Factory Mutual Global, a major insurer of highly protected risks, has Data Sheet 7-37 for cutting oils. You can download it from this website after completing the free subscription:

http://www.fmglobal.com/FMGlobalRegistration/Downloads.aspx

I reviewed the data sheet and it has some dated albeit good guidance to limit your fire risks.