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When I have taught art, a high proportion of my art students were cigarette smokers and I never allowed cigarette smoking in my studio both for safety reasons and my personal dislike of the cigarette smoke and the smell.

I would like to know these things and I would be interested in comments on this subject.

This does not affect me personally, as I do not use highly volatile thinners, though most artists do and many smoke.  I have actually seen an artist smoke a cigarette while cleaning brushes over a large can of open kerosene an obvious risk of fire. Common sense is not always common.

Fire Hazards Associated with Chemicals Used in the Arts

The fire hazards associated with artist’s materials are often overlooked, yet fire may be the greatest risk artists face. Common art materials that may cause a fire include flammable or combustible solvents, oily rags, chemical oxidizers, and compressed welding gases.

Improper use of solvents causes most art-related fires. 

Artists must be aware of a solvent’s flashpoint

and volatility, the two primary properties that influence a solvent’s ability to initiate a fire.

The flashpoint, the single most important factor, is the temperature at which a solvent gives off enough vapour to form an ignitable mixture with air and can ignite in the presence of an ignition source such as a flame or electrical spark. The lower the flashpoint, particularly when it is at or below room temperature the more hazardous the material. 

A substance’s volatility determines how much of it will evaporate and mix with air. In order for  solvent to catch fire, it must evaporate and its vapours must mix with air to form the right fuel/air ratio (typically 1-3 percent). The more volatile the solvent, the more readily it will evaporate and the more likely it will create an ignitable fuel/air mixture.  

Acetone is extremely volatile and if spilled, it will evaporate almost instantly. Mineral spirits, which has a much lower volatility than acetone, will evaporate much more slowly if spilled. 

To control the risk of a fire, always choose a solvent with the highest possible flashpoint and the lowest possible volatility. Ventilate the area to keep the solvent concentration from reaching an ignitable air/fuel mixture.  

Remove ignition sources such as open flames and electrical equipment that may generate sparks.  

Vapours from flammable solvents are heavier than air. They can travel some distance to an ignition source and then flash back to the solvent source.

When dispensing flammable solvents, from large metal containers, ground both containers to dissipate static electrical charges. 

To prevent fires, store rags soiled with setting oils (tung oil, linseed oil) in tightly closing metal

containers and have them picked up daily for professional laundering or disposal

  Flammable solvents should be stored in a storage cabinet designed for flammable materials. 

When using flammable solvents, out in the studio, store them in safety cans. If you handle chemical oxidizers such as chlorates, chromates, nitrates, or peroxides, store them apart from organic solvents and other readily combustible materials in storage units specifically designed for these materials. Some types of substances such as organic peroxides and nitric acid are so reactive they should be stored separately from all other chemicals. If you use compressed gases, such as acetylene or propane, be familiar with all the complex regulations that apply to them. Secure them in an upright position and test the regulator fittings and connections for leaks before using them.  

Store flammable compressed gases, separately from compressed oxygen.
 
 


Comments

May
02/02/2010 4:39am

I've had a bad experience with fire and my painter's palette...I don't even know how it got on fire!

Reply
Kathy Shell link
02/02/2010 7:54am

May, under the right conditions, linseed oil can self combust. Painters used rags having oil paint and linseed oil on them are a fire hazard in themselves if left folded up they can generate heat (like a compost bin or the centre of a hay stack can generate heat) and self combust. Health and safety should be the first lessons about art, taught but sadly is often one of the last.
Well at least you know and cans share the safety information with others now.

Cheers Kathy

Reply
Carly
02/04/2010 2:38pm

I would of never thought about fires and paints. This post was very interesting.I will be sure to tell my hubby. Im not too sure if how he paints is a fire hazard. Ill have to watch him sometime.

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