[NHCOLL-L:1301] Spirit Collections, Fires & Explosions

[Robin McPhee]

Hi All,

Does anybody know of any incidences of alcohol fires or explosions in museum
spirit collections or labs? 
Are there any written reports or investigations available about the causes
and results of any incidences?

I'm sorting out some issues with health & safety in our spirit collection
facility and labs.  I've found lots of info & specs. for the theoretical
risks and potential hazards of working with isopropanol and ethanol.  I'd
like to put this information in to a practical context, so it would be
helpful to learn from what has previously occurred. I.e. How many fires have
there been in spirit collections, What have been there causes, what have
been the results, etc.  

As far as I'm aware no alcohol fires or explosions have been reported at
this museum, and our current alcohol collection management practises reflect
this, along with the stories of previous workers who often smoked while
handling alcohol & specimens and never reported any (fire) problems. There
are also stories of buckets of alcohol preservative being put outside and
having lighted matches thrown in, in an attempt to test the flammability of
the alcohol solution.


Cheers & Thanks  
Robin McPhee
Technical Officer, EEZ Fishes Project,
Fish Section
Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa
169 Tory Street
P.O. Box 467
Wellington, New Zealand.
Phone DDI 64 4 381 7308
Fax 64 4 381 7310
e-mail robinm at tepapa.govt.nz  




  

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