TM 55-203
c. Safety Precautions
(5) Only vapor-proof lamps will be used
where spraying is being done.
(1) Respirators will be worn during all spray
(6) Rags and waste which are soaked with
painting operations.
paint and oil are fire hazards, and will be placed in
(2) Preparations containing benzol will not be
standard, self-closing metal cans having legs 'at least 4
applied by spraying Inhaling benzol fumes is extremely
inches high to provide space for air circulation. Cans will
injurious to health.
be emptied at the end of each working day and contents
(3) Cover lugs of the pressure-feed paint tank
removed to a safe area for destruction. Trash and
will not be loosened unless it is certain that pressure in
rubbish will be placed in covered metal containers which
the container has been released.
will be emptied daily and their contents destroyed or
(4) Pressure-feed paint-tank safety valves will
stored in a safety isolated vault.
be tested regularly.
(7) The main stock of solvents, paints, and
(5) Rubber gloves should be worn when
other flammable materials will be stored outside the paint
!handling sealer or acid solvents.
shop in a separate enclosure. Cans containing paints,
thinners, and other paint materials will be covered tightly
d. Causes and Prevention of Fire
before being stored or put away for the night. The
precautions outlined in TM 10-1101, for the storage of
(1) Fires in spray booths and other parts of
petroleum, will also be followed for paint, thinners, etc.
the paint shop usually are the result of one of the
(8) Empty drums or other containers in which
following causes: broken electric lamps and other
solvents, thinners, and similar other materials have been
electrical defects; cleaning of fans, motors, and interior of
shipped are potential hazards, since they often contain
booths with highly flammable solvents; accumulated
enough vaporized material of a flammable nature to
deposits in booths, tubes, and vent pipes, resulting from
cause an explosion. Heat or flame must never be applied
failure to clean them frequently; defective fans and
to such drums or cans unless they are first steamed out
motors used to ventilate the booths and paint shops;
thoroughly, filled with water, and Inspected to insure that
poorly designed and unguarded vent tubes; and static
all traces of odor and of paint material are removed.
(2) It is very important that the paint shop be
e. Protection While Sandblasting
kept clean Accumulated spray dust in booths and in
cracks and corners of the paint shop is particularly
(1) Operators will be equipped with proper
dangerous, because it ignites readily from spontaneous
masks, gloves, and canvas aprons to guard against injury.
combustion. All dust spray must be scraped from the
It will be the responsibility of the officer in charge to see
walls, spray booths, corners, and any other places in
that these are provided and used.
which it accumulates.
Special nonsparking bronze
(2) Sandblasting will not be performed in
scrapers will be used for this purpose. Before scrapings
closed areas unless adequate ventilation is provided, and
are discarded, they must be soaked thoroughly with water.
additional personnel are stationed outside to protect the
(3) Flammable solvents are never used to
workers.
clean the walls of the paint shop.
(3) Whenever possible, a shed or building at
(4) Mist which comes from a spray gun is
least 100 feet away from any other shop building will be
highly flammable and a spark may ignite it. Smoking; the
used for sandblasting. When it is necessary to sandblast
use of open flame lights, space heaters, and processing
in the open, the operation will be placed at a sufficient
equipment; the use of resistance-type electrical heaters;
distance to prevent sand, dust, or other particles from
and the use of electric motors, switches, fuses, fuse
getting into nearby machinery or other equipment.
boxes, and wiring not approved for use in atmosphere
containing flammable vapors, are prohibited in the plant
shop.
13-2
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