Fire is undiscriminating. It can flare
up at any time. And can happen to anyone. After finishing a vinyl graphics
application job, a former colleague and mentor had loaded the back seat of his
car with rags which had been soaked in solvent for cleaning, before heading
down the road. As John drove, he attempted to light one cigarette with another,
that he had just finished smoking. After getting a light, he threw the old
cigarette out the window. Unbeknownst to John, the cigarette blew back into his
car, landing in the pile of rags. Shortly thereafter the rags ignited. As long
flames trailed out the back windows of his car, alarmed motorists frantically
honked their horns to alert John of his precarious predicament.
Many of the solvents that are used in
sign making and screen printing are either flammable or combustible. Flammable solvents are those that can have a
“flash point” at temperatures lower than 100°F.
The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a solvent can catch
fire – the lower the flash point, the more dangerous the solvent. Combustible solvents can catch fire at
temperatures at higher than 100°F but lower than 200°F. The following is a list of some common
solvents that might be in your shop:
| SOLVENT | HAZARD RATING |
|---|---|
| Acetone | Flammable |
| Adhesive Remover | Highly Flammable |
| Brush Cleaner | Flammable |
| Denatured Alcohol | Highly Flammable |
| Enamel Reducer | Extremely Flammable |
| Lacquer Thinner | Extremely Flammable |
| Mineral Spirits | Combustible |
| Paint Conditioner/ Flow Enhancer |
Combustible |
| Turpentine | Flammable |
| Wax & Grease Remover | Highly Flammable |
| Xylene | Flammable |
Keep
solvents and other hazardous materials in clearly labeled containers with the
name of the chemical or brand name. To minimize the risk of fire, all flammable
liquids, regardless of the amount, must be stored in a fireproof cabinet. This is
an OSHA regulation. Solvent-soaked rags
should also be stored in covered metal containers. Never store any type of
combustible material in a furnace room.
When using solvents, make sure that
your workplace has good ventilation. Solvent vapors can become
concentrated near open containers of liquid solvent. These invisible vapors are
very dangerous. Remember, the vapors burn, not the liquid. It only takes a
spark or high temperatures to start a fire.
Lead By
Example
If
you want your employees to follow your shop’s safety rules, lead by setting a
good example. As fire marshal in my home town, my father often pontificated
about fire safety. He didn’t always
abide by the rules.
One
rule that regularly broke was never to work with a solvent near an open flame. An
gallon of solvent, such as lacquer thinner has the explosive power of several
sticks of dynamite. Its fumes are extremely flammable and easily ignite with a
spark.
For more ideas on how you
can prevent fires at work or in your home, read 'The
Comprehensive Resource of Fire Safety Tips': http://complianceandsafety.
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Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link
Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link
Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films. Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link
3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link
Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free. Click to Link
Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link
Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link
Vinyl Application Videos
Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link
Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link
Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link
Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films. Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link
3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link
Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free. Click to Link
Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link
Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link
About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
© 2016 Jim Hingst
I totally agree with you sir... as for me it's not advisable to keep those flammable materials inside the house. It should be kept in a safe house or barn house.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletefunny your signs of the times post in 2006 said eco solvent printers fumes were harmless and 6 years later you say solvent fumes are dangerous. looks like your hypocrytical. no offense but anyone who runs heavy full color prints for 8 plus hours a day in a smaller non ventilated area would easily disagree after years of detrimental damage to their lungs and other organs. you should probably retract the column from signs of the times as it literally is bull. again no offense but its like saying huffing acetone is ok...within reason and obviously its a carcinogen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing such excellent information with us. People can also use fire inspection and reporting software for Fire safety inspection.
ReplyDelete