Our Campus Fire Marshal in concert with EHS has banned all demonstrations on campus involving open flames and the potential for explosion. We've had a number
of near misses involving these types of demonstrations - it's just not worth it!
James R. Stubbs
Associate Director
Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety
University of Utah
125 So. Fort Douglas Blvd
Salt Lake City, UT 84113
801-585-5788
james.stubbs**At_Symbol_Here**ehs.utah.edu
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU]
On Behalf Of Monona Rossol
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 9:12 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab
That's an interesting thought. I know it applies to entertainment venues. But it is likely that the Fire Marshal would defer to the Chemistry department in a
university. However, I'm not sure. If anyone knows, sing out, Louise!
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: Margaret Rakas <mrakas**At_Symbol_Here**SMITH.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Tue, Jan 24, 2017 11:01 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab
Have you checked with your local fire Marshall regarding legal requirements for use of pyrotechnics? It is always easier to do this sort of thing in the planning
stages-you can honestly say you have never done XYZ if they ask..
In Massachusetts we may not set off indoor or outdoor pyrotechnics unless we have a permit from the local Fire Marshall; there is an awful lot involved in obtaining
one.
If you can use legal requirements to argue your case then I have found that it is more effective than having pedagogical arguments or sometimes even bringing up
health-related issues...
Lastly I would like to point out that the biological sciences do no demos where there are explosions, bright flashes, etc and they have no problem getting student's
excited about a biology lab/class/major/career. I do believe chemists need to find something other than loud bangs to get and maintain students' excitement in chemistry...
My personal 2 cents...
Sounds more like the phorphorus flash product than the nitrocellulose. Unless the nitrocellulose flash paper was in a closed container if probably couldn't do
that. I had to do expert witness to get a young man out of jail who was being held as a terrorist. He was playing with the phosphorus product and blew off most of one hand. He was planning to be come a magician. That dream was dead.
That was in California, too, Santa Rosa.
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: Bret Mayo <bret.mayo**At_Symbol_Here**NDSU.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Tue, Jan 24, 2017 10:04 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Pyrotechnics in the Teaching Lab
There was an incident at one of our institutions here last year - in some respects similar to the Texas Tech incident. I don't want to share details, but a
small quantity of flash powder detonated with a force strong enough to shatter one of those one inch thick phenolic laboratory benchtops and caused life-changing injury. Even if it were worth the logistical hassle, it is not worth the risk to staff and students,
in my opinion.
Associate Director of Environmental Health and Safety
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Office Phone: 701-231-6299
We're in the process of converting one of our introductory chemistry classes into a project-based curriculum. One of the ideas that's getting tossed around is a
project built up around movie special effects, and the subject of pyrotechnics and other fire effects came up.
One spirited discussion later, we (well, some of us) were left wondering about the safety and legal constrains of creating theatrical pyrotechnics as part of a
chemistry lab project. In particular, I know that fireworks are 100% illegal in our city, which seems to imply that anything involving flash powder-type reactions might not only be dangerous, but illegal. However, I'd like to bring more than my own initial
bias to our next meeting.
I'd like to be able to bring some insights back to the group on:
1) What kind of evidence exists for or against the legality and safety of such a project? (i.e. laws, anecdotes, case studies, etc.)
2) Is this idea, overall, worth the logistical hassle?
3) Are there some particularly good alternatives that would have the same "wow" factor (i.e. allows students to experiment with variables and has a neat effect)
but with decreased risk.
Any suggestions or insights would be most welcome!
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