There is no central storage of compressed gas cylinders in French Science Center. Vendors deliver and remove cylinders regularly from individual labs.
Cylinders of compressed gases, including "unreactive" gases such as nitrogen and argon, should be treated as potential rockets. When a cylinder is delivered to your lab, keep the valve protection cap on until the cylinder has been secured against a wall or bench or placed in a cylinder stand and is ready to be used. Cylinders should not be stored near sources of heat e.g. ovens, sunlight.
In the laboratory, gas cylinders of all sizes must be supported by straps, chains or a suitable stand attached more than halfway up the tank to prevent them from falling over. Never drop cylinders or permit them to strike each other violently. If the valve breaks off a cylinder, the rapid release of the compressed gas may cause the cylinder to start moving rapidly and dangerously.
It is the responsibility of the user to install and remove the regulating valves. Be sure to use the appropriate regulator for each gas cylinder; note that different regulators have different couplings. For information about the proper use of the valves and regulators, contact OESO. Regulating valves are not to be used as shut off devices. Never tamper with safety devices in valves of cylinders. Never oil cylinder regulators or valves since this could result in a fire or an explosion. If the valve is stuck and will not close, empty the tank and request that the vendor remove it from your lab. When not in use, cylinder valves should be closed tightly and stem protector caps secured.
All tanks should have a small white label (available from the stockroom free of charge) stuck to the top front of the gas cylinder indicating the present status of the tank. Indicate the status with a check mark in the appropriate square as: FULL, IN USE or EMPTY. When the cylinder is empty (<15 lbs residual pressure), request that the vendor remove/replace the cylinder.
If you need to move a large cylinder more than a few feet, secure the protector cap, place the cylinder on a gas cylinder cart, and strap the cylinder securely in place. A cart may be obtained from outside the stockroom (1126) and should be returned there after use.
A more detailed discussion of using compressed gases is available at http://phantom.ehs.uiuc.edu/css/factsheets/compgas.aspx?tbID=fs
Liquid nitrogen is available from the storage closet next to room 1238 and dry ice is available from the large blue chest located outside the building on the loading dock at the south end of the building. The first time you must obtain either of these substances, ask an experienced member of your research group to show you the proper procedures for handling them. Although liquid nitrogen is the colder, dry ice has the larger heat capacity; so both can cause severe "burns". Wear appropriate thermal protecting gloves whenever handling dry ice or liquid nitrogen; and take great care when pouring liquid nitrogen or when immersing objects at room temperature in liquid nitrogen - eye protection, of course, must be worn.
Bare glass Dewar flasks used for cold traps should be wrapped with medical adhesive tape or glass fiber tape, to prevent flying glass in case the Dewar implodes.
Dry Ice baths: Do not use acetone or ether as the liquid, since they are too volatile and flammable. Suggested alternatives are trichloroethylene or isopropanol (flammable).
IF IN DOUBT, CONSULT THE ELECTRONICS SHOP (room 1133, extension 1571).
Total power outages are not expected to occur in French Science Center since there is a new backup generator in operation. It would still be prudent to consider potential hazards or difficulties that would result from power failure and we recommend that you ask yourself what will happen in your laboratory:
We note the following as sources of hazard in the event of a power failure:
DO NOT run equipment or experiments overnight, unless it is absolutely necessary.
If it is necessary, discuss with your colleagues the best and safest way to set up the equipment. Some suggestions follow.
Whenever equipment is run unattended overnight, an Unattended Experiment Form must be completed with the name and phone number of the research worker concerned and action to be taken in emergency. Use full chemical names and not chemical symbols. This form should be posted prominently on the door of the lab where the experiment is taking place.
A directive from the City of Durham Fire Marshal requires that all refrigerators, freezers or coolers utilized in laboratories where chemicals are used be prominently labeled to indicate whether they are or are not suitable for storing flammable liquids. Class I flammable liquids are defined as "any liquid having a flash point below 100 degrees F and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 PSI absolute at 100 degrees F". Class one liquids are subdivided as follows:
Class I‹A Those liquids having a flash point below 73 degrees F and a boiling point at or below 100 degrees F.
Class I‹B Those liquids having a flash point below 73 degrees F and a boiling point above 100 degrees F.
Class I‹C Those liquids having a flash point at or above 73 degrees F and below 100 degrees F.
Refrigerators utilized for storage of chemicals in laboratories generally fall within the following three types:
Type 1 & 2 refrigerators will require a blue and white label affixed to the refrigerator which states: "NOTICE ‹ This refrigerator is approved for the storage of flammable materials. No food or drinks may be stored in this refrigerator."
Type 3 refrigerators will require a red and white label affixed to the refrigerator which states: "WARNING ‹ This refrigerator is not approved for the storage of flammable materials. No food or drinks may be stored in this refrigerator."
Appropriate labels for your refrigerators may be obtained from the Fire Safety Division of the OESO, 684-5609.
All vacuum pumps should be equipped with V-belt guards to protect the operator from possibly being caught in the belt. If any pumps are found to have this guard missing, they should be taken out of operation and sent to the shop (1131) for installation of proper guarding.
The safety aspects of ionizing radiation, including radioactivity and x-ray sources, fall within the general supervisory and advisory responsibilities of the University's Radiation Safety Officer who reports directly to the Chancellor. The Radiation Safety division of the OESO has the responsibility of monitoring all radiation activities on the campus. The director of any research group who contemplates using radioactivity must apply to the Radiation Safety Office to become an Authorized User under the University's license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
While the Radiation Safety Office surveys laboratories and monitors personnel exposures, the responsibility for safe practices in any lab rests solely with the research director. It is his responsibility to see that each member of the group has been trained in the safe use of radioisotopes. This need for explicit training is unique to radioisotope work. Injunctions to "be careful" are not enough. The Radiation Safety Office will present a training course several times a year. Two other essential prerequisites for any laboratory using radioactivity are a sensitive survey meter and a carefully delineated procedure for decontaminating glassware and equipment.
The Duke University Laser Safety Program is based on the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) document Z136.1-1993, American National Standard for The Safe Use of Lasers. The Program and its requirements will be described in the Duke Laser Safety Policy Manual and Procedures Manual, both of which are currently being written. All laboratories in which lasers are used must contact the Radiation Safety Office (RSO) to register their laser system and schedule an initial laser site visit. The phone number for the RSO is 684-2194. A laser registration form is also available online.
ALIGNMENT GUIDELINES FOR CLASS 3B & 4 LASERS:
Use of the workshop (1131) is governed by University Policy on all Workshops. Only persons who are certified operators are permitted to use power tools in the shop. Persons who wish to become certified operators should obtain the request forms from Mr. Maye.
Smoking is prohibited in French Family Science Center.
People who are under the influence of alcohol or medications that impair an individual should never conduct experiments.
Duke University prohibits its members to possess, use, or distribute illegal drugs, including opiates, barbiturates, amphetamines, marijuana, and hallucinogens, except for legally authorized possession and distribution of drugs of the classes specified. In addition, the presence and use of many of these drugs within the University community are contrary to the intellectual and educational purposes for which the University exists.
The University recognizes that ignorance or innocence concerning such drugs threatens the safety of members of its community. It therefore seeks to provide as much information as it can concerning the consequences of harmful drugs. The University recognizes also that the illicit use of drugs may reflect emotional problems and is prepared to assist its members involved in their use through medical and psychiatric counseling. Nevertheless, the University considers a violation of the drug prohibition a serious matter and reserves the right to take action appropriate to the circumstances of each case.
(Rough draft of revision of this section made available for comment on 8/2/07)
