Posted By Chris Harris
Completing a print room COSHH assessment for using Ammonia Solution in 2litre containers, I was concerned by what appeared to be conflicting advice on the safety data sheet regarding flammability.
The hazard ID indicated Ammonia to be a Flammable Liquefied Gas
Handling & storage indicated it should be kept away from ignition sources (inc static discharge)
Exposure controls indicated not to smoke while handling and that the Flammability range is 15 - 30 vol% in air.
The hazard ID finally said "owing to this substance's low flammabilty, it is classed as non-flammable for transport purposes.
We use Ammonia day in day out within our print room which abounds with static & although we have LEV the place still reeks of it. Auto ignition is rated at 630C so it appears I have nothing to worry about regarding flammability & fire risk. Am I right and just being mislead by the Safety Data Sheet info?

All/any advice appreciated

Chris Harris

Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Chris

Your print room is using a solution of ammonium hydroxide in water. The proportion of the ammonium hydroxide will be about 20% if the specific gravity is 0.88. As this solution is 80% water, it is non-flammable. However, the solution will liberate ammonia and I suppose that there is an outside chance that a buildup of this liberated gas could be a flammability risk in a confined space. The LEL of ammonia is 16% (160,000ppm); anybody inhaling much over the WEL (25 ppm) is likely to evacuate the area PDQ.

Paul

Posted By Robert K Lewis
Paul

As the famous pedant, along with one or two others, the solution is ammonia in water which is Ammonium Hydroxide, not a solution of ammonium hydroxide in water. However the SG statement is what I expect for these old style, but widely used machines.

It also illustrates the inability of suppliers/manufacturers to provide a decent MSDS relevant to the material supplied. It is so easy to just give the information for the active ingredients ie Ammonia in this case and then provide misleading statements based on the ingredient alone not as supplied, as here the information is for Anhydrous Ammonia supplied in cylinders.

The anhydrous material is flammable in air but as others point out you will feel the itch in any moist areas and be driven away by the fumes long before you will be present in a fire. Industrially ammonia fires have been known but they are considerably difficult to induce. In passing I have seen it burnt in a school experiment but it required pure oxygen to assist the flame stability. It will also burn when mixed with Nitric Oxide but again I cannot see that being a problem for you.

Bob

Posted By Robert K Lewis
I along with one or two others have been around long enough to clock up close to the ton between us in this profession. So I admit always to being that bit pernickety- its a privilege of age as well.

Wish suppliers were a little bit this way!!!

Bob

Posted By Chris Harris
To Peter, Paul, John & Robert a very big thank you.
Now from what youv'e all told me then 2L bottles of lemonade should have a MSDS for having Co2 in solution- No? Asphyxiant gas & all that. or perhaps it does!
Cheers chaps.

Posted By Jeff Watt
There is a lot of ammonia flying around on this post and it smells like a load of old....well never mind.

Can anyone recommend a helpful chemical safety reference for Chris and other non boffins out there struggling with MSDS's and COSHH.

Posted By Jeff Watt
Nice one Paul

I use Oxford Uni's chem site for some general chem info

http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/#MSDS

It's OK but not a definitive source for the workplace COSHH assessment.

Posted By Jeffh
www.coshh-essentials.org.uk