Table of Contents
Advertisement
First Aid In Case Of Ammonia Accidents
(Chemical Formula: Nh
GENERAL
Ammonia is easy to identify. It has a strong, distinctive odor
that is noticed by most people, even at very low, harmless
concentrations. Ammonia serves as its own warning agent
so that no one will voluntarily remain in a room in which
concentrations have become hazardous. Because ammonia
is lighter than air, adequate ventilation is the best means of
preventing a concentration.
Experience has shown that ammonia is difficult to ignite
and, under normal conditions, it is a very stable compound.
NOTE: In concentrations greater than 15%, ammonia can
form ignitable mixtures with air and oxygen. It should
always be treated with respect.
basic rules of First Aid
1. Call a doctor immediately.
2. Be prepared: keep an irrigation bottle available, contain-
ing a sterile isotonic (0.9%) NaCl–solution (salt water).
3. A shower bath or water tank should be available near all
major ammonia installations.
4. Individuals applying first aid should be properly protected
to avoid further injury.
INHALATION
1. Move affected personnel into fresh air immediately, and
loosen clothing to facilitate breathing.
2. Call a doctor/ambulance with oxygen equipment im-
mediately
3. keep the patient still and warmly wrapped in blankets.
4. If mouth and throat are burnt (thermal or chemical burn),
let the conscious patient drink water, a little at a time.
5. If the patient is conscious and the mouth is not burnt, give
hot, sweet tea or coffee (never force feed an unconscious
person).
6. Oxygen may be administered, but only when authorized
by a doctor.
7. If breathing stops, apply artificial respiration.
EYE INJURIES FROM LIQUID SPLASHES OR
CONCENTRATED VAPOR
1. Force the eyelids open and rinse eyes immediately for at
least 30 minutes with salt water solution.
2. Call a doctor immediately.
FRICK
– Refrigerant R-717)
3
POWERPAC
®
™
SAFETY
SKIN BURNS FROM LIQUID SPLASHES OR
CONCENTRATED VAPOR
1. Wash immediately with large quantities of water and
continue for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated
clothing carefully while washing.
2. Call a doctor immediately.
3. After washing, apply wet compresses (saturated with a
sterile isotonic (0.9%) NaCl solution (salt water) to affected
areas until medical assistance is available.
FOLLOW YOUR COMPANY GUIDELINES FOR PROCESS
SAFETY MANAGEMENT (PSM).
ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT R-717:
• Ammonia is easily absorbed by water: At 59°F (15°C),
1.06 qt (1 liter) of water can absorb approximately 1.1 lb
(.05-kg) liquid ammonia (or approximately 185 gal. (700
liters) ammonia vapor.
• Even small amounts of ammonia in water are enough to
destroy marine life if allowed to pollute waterways and
lakes.
• Because ammonia is alkaline it will damage plant and ani-
mal life if released into the atmosphere in large quantities.
Refrigerant evacuated from a refrigeration plant must be
charged into refrigerant cylinders intended for this specific
refrigerant.
If the refrigerant is not to be reused, return it to the supplier
or to an authorized incineration plant.
Halocarbon refrigerants are colorless and odorless. Their
presence is undetectible without instrumentation. Their
ability to displace oxygen can make them deadly!
Never mix R-717 with halocarbon refrigerants.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Many countries have passed legislation in an effort to reduce
pollution and preserve the environment.
Be especially careful with the following substances:
• refrigerants
• cooling media (brines etc)
• lubricating oils
ADDITIONAL FACTS ABOUT REFRIGERANTS
Refrigerants usually have a natural boiling point which lies
a good deal below 32° (0°C). This means that liquid refrig-
erants can be extremely harmful if they come into contact
with skin or eyes.
In high concentrations, R-717 causes respiratory problems.
When ammonia vapor and air mix between 15 to 28 % vol-
ume, the combination is explosive and can be ignited by an
electric spark or open flame.
170.600-IOM (JUN 11)
Page 15
Advertisement
Table of Contents
