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speed  
#1 Posted : 08 January 2010 07:48:31(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
speed

Hi What sort of things should I be looking at, when putting a heater in our paint store (basically just to keep the chill off and stop the paint freezing). It has to be 100v too, any specific things to look at with it being hazardous substances?? Thanks.
Alex Petrie  
#2 Posted : 08 January 2010 09:42:46(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Alex Petrie

Speed, I'd look at the MSDS' for each product to check their flash points / autoignition temperatures when looking for a temperature to set the heater to. It would be worth checking elsewhere but the heater may require to be certified as 'explosion protected' - if the products you store are likely to give off flammable vapour. Worth looking into for a second opinion. Have a look at the guidance to DSEAR too. Hope that helps.
LeeRay  
#3 Posted : 08 January 2010 10:33:59(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
LeeRay

As mentioned above, and also where you would site the heating apparatus and how you would establish a safe distance between the heater and the product. Installation of a mesh guard perhaps? All depend's on which type of heater you go for I suppose
ipaterson  
#4 Posted : 08 January 2010 11:03:05(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
ipaterson

I've got a photo where a shelf collapsed above a desk - luckily the worker had just stepped away from his desk to retrieve some printing and he wasn't hurt. If I can remember how to post this to you I'll do it. irene
ipaterson  
#5 Posted : 08 January 2010 11:04:58(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
ipaterson

Ignore that - answer for wrong query - sorry
firesafety101  
#6 Posted : 08 January 2010 14:36:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
firesafety101

speed wrote:
Hi What sort of things should I be looking at, when putting a heater in our paint store (basically just to keep the chill off and stop the paint freezing). It has to be 100v too, any specific things to look at with it being hazardous substances?? Thanks.
Firstly is there a problem if the paints freeze, I know they will expand and possible blow the lids but is that the only problem? Second is the store regulated under HFL Regs. and licensed? If so the fire service will provide guidance. Do not add a heater without contacting the licensing authority. If not then check the data sheets of all paints and assess the hazards accordingly. Can you just leave the lights on to provide a little warmth?
paul.skyrme  
#7 Posted : 08 January 2010 21:57:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
paul.skyrme

All advice so far seems relevant. Is the other electrical equipment in the store rated for hazardous areas? Ex approved etc.? Does the store come under DSEAR zoning, if so which zone as the electrical equipment would need to meet the requirements of that zone. NOT my area of specialism I don't do Ex equipment and systems designs and installs, yet, PI is TOO expensive at the mo! However, I have had an overview, I have to for my business and we are moving that way to some extents. Some zones will have maximum surface temperatures etc. for any installed equipment. Are you sure the voltage is 100V a.c. as this is an oddball UK voltage. Presuming here that you are UK based else all my stuff is out the window as I only look at UK work! This is NOT a straight forward job, from a H&S standpoint, nor an engineering standpoint. Wet heating may be the best option, what about a “plumbed in radiator”? Chris’ lights is a good idea, tungsten lamps 10% light 90% heat, that’s why we all have to stop using them and loose all that spare heat in our homes that we will have to replace from the heating systems!!! Also, why should the paint freeze? Water freezes (begins) at 0 Celsius, add some other stuff and the freezing point drops lower. (salt etc loads on that at the mo!) If the paint is solvent based as you suggest then the water content must be negligible as they are not miscible? Water expands on freezing and is one of the few substances that does, hence the split pipes etc. they split when the water freezes but don’t leak till it thaws because the split is well sealed by the ice. Don’t I know it, I have a skating rink in my garage following a blown pipe coupling! Most other materials shrink on freezing, polymers, metals, etc. I would suggest the 1st place to start are your TDS & MSDS from the manuf’ Check acceptable storage temps there in. IF the paint is water based is it actually flammable? Think old gloss paint, oil based, clean the brushes in “turps”, flammable. Try freezing that, no chance, it thickens in cold weather same as other petroleum based substances, like diesel, hence the anti-waxing additives that are put into that for the cold weather, also, think of old automotive cellulose paints, extremely flammable. Think new emulsion paint, water based, no flammability markings on the tin. Not sure about new automotive water based paints. I just cant see how something that is perhaps a 50% water emulsion can burn? It can’t technically be a solution can it as the colorants and pigments etc will not dissolve in water. Metal working cutting fluids are water/oil emulsions, the neat oil is flammable, the resultant mixture whist unpleasant in various ways will not burn (within reason). Paul
SophieP  
#8 Posted : 13 January 2010 16:13:09(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
SophieP

You need to do a DSEAR risk assessment to determine if you need to use eX rated equipment however if you do not have the expertise for this you should employ a specialist consultant to do it for you. Not all health and safety consultants do this because it is very specialist. I would start with the MSDS and go from there. You can get belt heaters especially for heating paint drums, which wrap around the drum itself, if you speak to your paint supplier thay will be able to advise you of where to get these. However if your paint is in an explosive atmosphere this may not be suitable. Hope this helps.
pebbles  
#9 Posted : 13 January 2010 18:10:08(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
pebbles

Why not use a good old fashioned hot water radiator. No problem with sparks.
seema  
#10 Posted : 13 January 2010 18:43:46(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
seema

Yeah as above answer mentioned you have many alternatives to the normal electric heaters... 1) old fasioned water radiators 2) passive air heaters/ which is also available as solar passive air heaters 3) solar panneling 4) even barrel heating system could be used to keep the paints at normal temp... hope this helps tc :)
phow  
#11 Posted : 13 January 2010 20:08:42(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
phow

Speed 1 - Read all the info on the paint containers, 2- if any of them say "protect from frost" or similar, then thay are probably water based and for Quality purposes MUST be protected from frost. If they are water based, then they are NOT flammable. {for all practical purposes}. You can use any 110v type of heater in the store. Sounds like you may be on a construction site with 110v supplies. 3- If any of them say "Flammable", then that is what they are. These are not affected by storage temperature and can go below freezing. However they won't apply well! If you feel you do want to keep them warm, then Here you can only use ATEX (or Dsear or EPSregs - PM me if you want a full technical explanation of the differences) 'Ex' approved heaters inside the paint store, and the electrics supplying the heater must be an 'Ex' installation (usually expensive and long delivery) 4 - If containers are mixture of both , then treat all as flammable OR seperate out storages - you could keep water based paints in an office (as they are not flammable...... ) All the above comments are also valid. best wishes Peter (I work for a paint Co)
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