would seem desirable to consider this question in each instance for the particular 

 warehouse being sealed. Investigations made by the Department indicate that in 

 instances where plastic was sprayed in booths and in confined quarters, there was 

 litde or no danger if exhaust fans were properly operated. 



Plastic materials, owing to the inflammable and explosive nature of the solvents, 

 require special equipment in case of fire. Water buckets, sand, and extinguishers 

 of the type usually found in tobacco-storage warehouses are not adequate for use 

 in fighting fires developed from plastic spraying. A special type of extinguisher 

 is recommended by the Department. The 20-pound Ansul dry-powder type or 

 the 20-pound C0 2 hand fire extinguisher should be adequate. It is essential that 

 this equipment be located where it will be available during all phases of the sealing 

 operation. 



When plastic compound or any of its component parts have been spilled, or 

 when seepage occurs from leaking drums, any accumulation must be allowed to 

 dry thoroughly before closing the doors of the room, or building, where such a 

 condition exists. 9 As has been pointed out, there is no fire hazard in this material 

 arter it has thoroughly dried, and dried residue may be disposed of in ordinary 

 trash containers. Semidried or wet materials should not be placed in closed drums 

 or trash containers but should be allowed to dry thoroughly before they are dis- 

 posed of. 



Proper Ventilation 



In tobacco warehouses where there is generally considerable airspace and where 

 adequate ventilation is available, there is little or no hazard in the use of this 

 material. In order to avoid any concentration of fumes, it is essential that exhaust 

 fans be kept in operation where plastic is being applied inside any building. 

 Forced ventilation will largely eliminate the fire and explosion hazards connected 

 with the application of this material and, if other safety measures are followed, 

 the danger will be reduced to a minimum. 



In the introduction of this publication it is stated that the fumes of the solvents 

 are toxic where a concentration exists. It is unlikely, except where operations are 

 performed in closed quarters, that this toxic condition will be hazardous. Should 

 it be found necessary to have operators work for long periods in a very limited 

 space, all safety measures should be taken and masks for the operators should be 

 supplied. 



Regulations of the Navy 



No smoking should be the rule on the job whether inside or outside, and smok- 

 ing should not be allowed at any time where substantial quantities of any material 

 are open to the air, especially when spray guns or other equipment are being 

 cleaned. The following statement is an excerpt from Navy Safety Regulations, 

 issued October 17, 1946: 



1. SMOKING 



When spray packaging is being done in the open air there shall be no smoking nor lighting 

 of matches within 20 feet of spraying or mixing operations. 



Positively no smoking shall be permitted in enclosed spaces during such operations. 



2. SPARK-MAKING APPARATUS 



There shall be no spar\-making apparatus permitted within 20 feet of spraying or mixing 

 operations. 



This includes electrical and acetylene welding, and all types of electrically operated equipment 

 such as motors, generators, control relays, etc. All electrical circuits shall be dead within the 

 spray packaging area and there shall be no welding permitted in any part of the ship directly 

 above the restricted zone. 



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