No. 385/1939:

CELLULOSE SOLUTIONS REGULATIONS, 1939.

CELLULOSE SOLUTIONS REGULATIONS, 1939.

WHEREAS it is enacted by Section 79 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, as adapted by subsequent enactments, that where the Minister for Industry and Commerce is satisfied that any manufacture, machinery, plant, process or description of manual labour, used in factories or workshops, is dangerous or injurious to health or dangerous to life or limb, either generally or in the case of women, children or any other class of persons, he may certify that manufacture, machinery, plant, process or description of manual labour to be dangerous, and that thereupon the said Minister may, subject to the provisions of the said Act, make such regulations as appear to him to be reasonably practicable and to meet the necessity of the case :

AND WHEREAS on the 20th day of December, 1937, the said Minister, in pursuance of the said Section 79, certified the manufacture, use and storage of cellulose solutions to be dangerous.

NOW, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 79 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, as adapted by subsequent enactments, and of every and any other power him in this behalf enabling, hereby makes the following regulations.

PART I. GENERAL.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Cellulose Solutions Regulations, 1939.

2. The Interpretation Act, 1937 (No. 38 of 1937), applies to these Regulations.

3. In these Regulations :—

the expression " the Minister " means the Minister for Industry and Commerce.

the expression " cellulose solution " means any solution in inflammable liquid of cellulose acetate, of cellulose nitrate, of celluloid, or of any other substance containing cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate or any other cellulose compound, with or without the admixture of other substances,

the expression " inflammable liquid " means any liquid or mixture of liquids which are used or intended for use in connection with cellulose solutions and which, when tested by means of the apparatus and in the manner specified in the Schedule to these Regulations, gives off an inflammable vapour at a temperature of less than ninety degrees Fahrenheit,

the expression "cellulose cabinet" means a cabinet, booth, or similar structure within which cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids are manipulated or used,

the expression "cellulose space" means a room or part of a room within which cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids are manipulated or used otherwise than in a cellulose cabinet,

the word "store-room" means any room, chamber or similar structure within which cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids are stored,

the expression "fire-resisting material" means any of the following materials, that is to say :—

(a) properly constructed brickwork not less than four and one half inches in thickness,

(b) concrete not less than three inches in thickness,

(c) efficiently jointed breeze slabbing not less than three inches in thickness,

(d) any wood provided that it is completely and securely covered on both sides with compressed asbestos not less than three sixteenths of an inch in thickness,

(e) oak or teak not less than one and three quarters inches in finished thickness,

(f) glass not less than one quarter of an inch in thickness and in the middle of which wire mesh is embedded,

(g) iron or steel, and

(h) any other material which the Minister certifies in writing to be fire-resisting material.

4.—(1) These Regulations apply in relation to any factory or workshop where cellulose solutions are manufactured, used or stored, save that they shall not apply to any factory or workshop where cellulose solutions are manufactured, used or stored exclusively for all or any of the following purposes, that is to say :—

(a) the painting of such factory or workshop,

(b) the manufacture of artificial silk,

(c) the manufacture of incandescent gas mantles, and

(d) the manufacture of explosives within the meaning of the Explosives Act, 1875.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the next preceding paragraph of this Article, where the Minister is satisfied that, because of the way in which cellulose solutions are manufactured, used or stored in any particular factory or workshop, the application of these Regulations, or the application of these Regulations without modification, to such factory or workshop is not necessary for the safety of persons employed therein or is impracticable, the Minister may issue a certificate, in respect of such period and subject to such conditions as he thinks proper, to the occupier of such factory or workshop stating that (as the case may be) these Regulations shall not apply to such factory or workshop or shall apply thereto subject to specified modifications.

(3) Every certificate issued under the immediately preceding paragraph of this Article shall have effect in accordance with the terms thereof but shall be revocable at any time by the Minister.

5. The result of any analysis of a sample taken under these Regulations of cellulose solution or inflammable liquid shall not be published or disclosed to any person except in so far as may be necessary for the purposes of a prosecution in respect of these Regulations.

6. Nothing in Article 12 of these Regulations shall relieve any person from any obligation imposed by the Regulations dated the 10th day of February, 1932, for the generation, transformation, distribution and use of electrical energy (Statutory Rules and Orders, No. 7 of 1932).

7. Part II of these Regulations shall be observed by every occupier of a factory or workshop in relation to which these Regulations apply and Part III thereof by every person employed in such a factory or workshop.

PART II. REGULATIONS TO BE OBSERVED BY OCCUPIERS.

8. Where the occupier of any factory or workshop intends to undertake therein the manufacture, use or storage of cellulose solutions and such occupier did not, before the commencement of these Regulations, undertake such manufacture, use or storage (as the case may be) in such factory or workshop, such occupier shall give notice in writing to the Minister of his intention so to do and shall not carry out such intention until fourteen clear days (or such less number of clear days as the Minister may agree) have elapsed from the giving of such notice.

9. A person under sixteen years of age shall not be employed in the manipulation or use of cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids containing more than fifteen per cent. by weight of benzene unless such person was so employed immediately before the commencement of these Regulations and is over fifteen years of age.

10.—(1) Every cellulose cabinet shall be completely enclosed except in so far as openings are necessary for the purposes of the work done therein or in connection with means of ventilation provided in pursuance of the next following Article of these Regulations.

(2) Every cellulose space shall be separated by enclosure from every other part of the building or room in which it is situated except in so far as openings are necessary for the purposes of the work done in such cellulose space or in connection with means of ventilation provided in pursuance of the next following Article of these Regulations.

(3) Every cellulose cabinet and all walls, partitions, doors, windows, floors, tops and ceiling enclosing or forming part of the enclosure of any cellulose space shall be constructed of fire-resisting material.

11.—(1) Every cellulose cabinet and cellulose space shall be provided with mechanical means of ventilation of such kind as to remove all vapours of cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids from the building in which such cabinet or space is situated and to prevent the escape of such vapours into any occupied room or work place.

(2) Immediately upon any manipulation or use in a cellulose cabinet or cellulose space of cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids having ceased, the means of ventilation provided in connection with such cabinet or space in pursuance of this Article shall be kept in full operation for a continuous period of at least five minutes.

(3) Every duct, trunk or casing used in connection with means of ventilation provided in pursuance of this Article shall be constructed of fire-resisting material.

(4) Where a cellulose solution is being applied from spraying apparatus, arrangements shall, so far as it is practicable, be made so as to render it unnecessary for the person operating such apparatus to be in a position between the article being sprayed and any ventilating outlet contained in the cellulose cabinet or cellulose space in which such solution is being applied.

12.—(1) No fire, flame, open light or other agency likely to ignite cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids or the vapours thereof shall be allowed within twenty feet of any cellulose cabinet, cellulose space or store-room, unless effectively separated therefrom by means of intervening fire-resisting material.

(2) All heating and electrical apparatus (including lamp fittings and resistances) liable to attain a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit shall be kept so situated or protected that no deposition thereon of any residues resulting from the manufacture, manipulation or use of cellulose solutions shall occur.

13. Adequate means of escape in case of fire, including at least two safe exits opening outwards, shall be provided and maintained in respect of every room in which a cellulose cabinet is situated and of every cellulose space.

14. Provision shall be made to enable cotton waste, cleaning rags or similar material liable to spontaneous combustion to be deposited after use without delay in metal containers with covers or removed without delay to a safe place.

15.—(1) All solid residues resulting from the manufacture, manipulation or use of cellulose solutions shall be removed from every cellulose cabinet and cellulose space and from every duct, trunk, casing or fan used in connection with a cellulose cabinet or cellulose space.

(2) No removal of solid residues in pursuance of this Article shall be effected by scraping with iron or steel implements.

16. Efficient fire extinguishing appliances shall be provided and maintained in respect of every room in which a cellulose cabinet is situated and of every cellulose space and the number of such appliances shall be adequate and their positions suitable having regard to the structure and situation of the premises in which they are maintained and the quantity and nature of the cellulose solutions and inflammable liquids from time to time used or manipulated therein.

17. All stocks of cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids shall be kept in :—

(a) a fixed storage tank in a safe position, or

(b) a tank in which petroleum may, in pursuance of a licence granted under the Petroleum Act, 1871, be kept, or

(c) metal drums, cans or similar vessels kept in a store-room which complies with one or more of the following requirements, that is to say :—

(i) that it is constructed of fire-resisting material (other than wood covered with compressed asbestos), or

(ii) that it is in a safe position not less than 30 feet from any occupied building, or

(iii) that it is a store-room in which petroleum may, in pursuance of a licence granted under the Petroleum Act, 1871, be kept.

18. All drums, cans or similar vessels containing cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids shall be kept securely closed when the contents are not in actual use and shall, after the contents have been expended, be removed without delay to a safe place outside the building in which the contents were used or to a store-room which complies with one or more of the requirements specified in paragraph (c) of the next preceding Article of these Regulations.

19.—(1) The quantity of cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids kept in any workroom shall be as small as is practicable having regard to the work carried on therein and, in the case of a workroom where cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids are used, shall not exceed the estimated requirements for one day's work.

(2) Cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids kept in a workroom shall, when not in actual use, be kept in a metal cupboard or other receptacle at least as safe.

20. Cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids containing more than fifteen per cent. by weight of benzene shall not be procured or stored otherwise than in receptacles legibly marked as containing benzene.

21. Any inspector of factories shall be permitted to take at any reasonable time a sample sufficient for analysis of any substance which such inspector reasonably believes to be cellulose solution or inflammable liquid provided that such inspector, at the time when such sample is taken, divides such sample into two parts and seals and delivers to the occupier, in a suitable receptacle, one of such parts.

PART III. REGULATIONS TO BE OBSERVED BY PERSONS EMPLOYED.

22.—(1) No smoking shall be carried on in any room in which a cellulose cabinet is situated, in any cellulose space or in any store-room, or within twenty feet of any store-room or storage tank unless the person smoking is effectively separated from such store-room or tank by means of intervening fire-resisting material.

(2) No fire, flame, open light or other agency likely to ignite cellulose solutions or inflammable liquids or the vapours thereof shall be brought or allowed within twenty feet of any cellulose cabinet, cellulose space or store-room unless effectively separated therefrom by means of intervening fire-resisting material.

23. Cotton waste, cleaning rags or similar material liable to spontaneous combustion shall, after use, be deposited without delay in the metal containers (if any) provided in pursuance of these Regulations for that purpose or removed without delay to a safe place.

24. Full and proper use shall be made of any ventilating and other appliances provided in pursuance of these Regulations and any defect therein shall be reported to the proper person.

25. All reasonable directions given with a view to carrying out these Regulations shall be observed.

SCHEDULE.

TEST APPARATUS TO BE USED AND MANNER OF TESTING INFLAMMABLE LIQUID THEREWITH SO AS TO ASCERTAIN THE TEMPERATURE AT WHICH IT WILL GIVE OFF INFLAMMABLE VAPOUR.

PART I.

SPECIFICATION OF THE TEST APPARATUS.

GENERAL.

The apparatus to be employed shall be the Abel Petroleum Testing apparatus or the Abel apparatus modified by having an oil cup provided with a stirrer. It shall be constructed to the dimensions herein specified within the limits of accuracy prescribed by the tolerances set forth below.

THE OIL CUP.

The oil cup consists of a cylindrical vessel open at the top and fitted on the outside with a flat circular flange projecting at right angles.

Within the cup, fixed through the wall and silver soldered or brazed in place, there is a gauge consisting of a piece of wire bent upwards and terminating in a point.

Material :—brass or gunmetal.

THE COVER.

The cup is provided with a close-fitting cover with a downward projecting rim barely reaching the flange on the cup. The downward projecting rim is made solid with the top or silver soldered or brazed in place. Upon the cover are mounted a thermometer socket, trunnions to support an oil-test lamp, a pair of guides in which a slide moves, and a white bead. The top of the cover is pierced by three rectangular holes symmetrically placed on a diameter, one in the centre and the other two as close as practicable to the inner sides of the cover-rim and opposite each other. These three holes are covered or uncovered by means of a slide moving in suitably disposed guides. The slide has two perforations, one corresponding in all particulars to the centre hole in the cover and the other to one of the holes at the side. The movement of the slide is restricted by suitable stops, and its length and the disposition of the holes are such, that at the outer extremity of the movement of the slide, the holes in the cover are simultaneously just completely opened and at the inner extremity of the movement of the slide they are completely closed.

The trunnions supporting the test lamp are fixed on the top of the guides and the lamp is mounted in the trunnions so that it is free to oscillate. The lamp is provided with a jet to contain a wick and is so arranged that when the slide is moved so as to uncover the holes, the oscillating lamp is caught by a pin fixed in the slide and tilted over the central hole in such a way that the lower edge of the cover bisects the circle formed by the bore of the jet when in the lowest position. The flame then occupies a central position within the hole in both directions.

A suitably mounted gas jet may be substituted for the lamp.

The thermometer socket is in the form of a split tube, mounted on a diameter at right angles to the diameter through the centres of the holes, and fitted at such an angle as to bring the bulb of the thermometer, when in place, vertically below the centre of the cover and at the correct distance from it.

A white bead, the dimensions of which represent the size of test flame to be used, is mounted in a visible position on the cover.

Materials :—All parts excepting bead :—brass or gunmetal. Bead :—ivory or other suitable material.

COVER FITTED WITH STIRRER.

Provision may be made in the cover for the reception of a stirrer which projects into the oil cup, for use with viscous materials only.

A bush is mounted on the cover in a position diametrically opposite the thermometer mounting and its length is such and it is set at such an angle that the stirrer rod clears the oil level gauge and the blades operate below the level of and without fouling the thermometer bulb. The bush is placed as near as practicable to the outer edge of the cover.

The stirrer consists of a round stem having four blades or vanes silver soldered in place at one end. A collar is fixed on the stem so that when the stem is inserted into the bush from below, it is arrested at a position such that the correct length protrudes into the oil cup. The top end of the stem is reduced and screwed.

A long sleeve having an internally screwed, knurled knob soldered to its upper end, is passed over the upper end of the stem and screwed home. The length of the sleeve is such that a flat-faced collar at its lower end just comes into contact with the upper end of the bush, leaving the stirrer free to rotate without appreciable vertical play.

A flat-headed cylindrical plug is provided for insertion in the bush when the stirrer is not in use.

Material :—brass or gun-metal.

HEATING VESSEL.

The heating vessel or bath consists of two flat-bottomed cylindrical copper vessels placed coaxially one inside the other and soldered at their tops to a flat copper ring, greater in outside diameter than the larger vessel and of smaller inside diameter than the smaller vessel. The space between the two vessels is thus totally enclosed and is used as a water jacket.

An ebonite or fibre ring of right-angle section is fitted into the hole in the centre of the flat ring forming the top of the bath and, when the apparatus is in use, the oil cup fits into, and its flange rests upon, this ebonite or fibre ring so that the oil cup is centrally disposed within the heating vessel. The ebonite or fibre ring is secured in place by means of six small screws having their heads sunk below the surface of the ring, to avoid metallic contact between the bath and the oil cup.

A split socket, similar to that on the cover of the oil cup, but set vertically, allows a thermometer to be inserted in to the water-space. A funnel and overflow pipe also communicate with the water-space through the top plate and two loop handles are provided thereon.

The bath rests upon a cast-iron tripod stand, to the ring of which is attached a cylindrical copper jacket not less than 24 I.W.G. flanged inwards at the top, and of such dimensions that the bath, while resting firmly on the iron ring, just touches with its outward projecting flange the inward turned flange of the jacket. Two handles are provided on the outer jacket.

Diameter of the outer jacket 6·5 inches ±0·1 inches.

SPIRIT LAMP.

A spirit lamp is provided for raising the temperature of the water bath, but any other means approved by the Minister for Industry and Commerce may be employed for this purpose.

THERMOMETERS.

Two thermometers are provided with the apparatus, the one for ascertaining the temperature of the bath, the other for determining the flashing point.

OIL CUP THERMOMETER.

Type—Mercury in glass, nitrogen filled, graduated on the stem, enamel back.

Length—Approximately 9 inches.

Stem—Diameter 0·24 inches to 0·28 inches.

Bulb—Spherical; made of a normal glass approved by the Minister for Industry and Commerce.

Diameter, 0·35 inches ±0·05 inches.

Range—50 degrees Fahrenheit to 150 degrees Fahrenheit with expansion chamber. Distance from the bottom of the bulb to the 50 degree line 2·75 inches to 3·15 inches. Distance from the 50 degree line to the 150 degree line not less than 4·75 inches.

Immersion—A swelling is made in the stem to ensure that the thermometer shall be fixed in its brass collar so that the distance from the top of the collar to the bottom of the bulb is 2·4 inches ±0·05 inches.

Graduation—Scale graduated in 1 degree Fahrenheit divisions. Every fifth degree and tenth degree to be indicated by longer lines. Figured at every tenth degree in full.

Marking—"Abel Oil Cup" : Identification number "Fahrenheit" : Maker's or Vendor's name or trade mark.

WATER BATH THERMOMETER.

Type—Mercury in glass, nitrogen filled, graduated on the stem, enamel back.

Length—Approximately 9 inches.

Stem—Diameter, 0.24 inches to 0·28 inches.

Bulb—Cylindrical : made of a normal glass approved by the Minister for Industry and Commerce.

Length approximately 0·8 inches. Diameter not to exceed the diameter of the stem.

Range—90 degrees Fahrenheit to 190 degrees Fahrenheit with expansion chamber, Distance from the bottom of the bulb to the 90 degree line 3·95 inches to 4·35 inches. Distance from the 90 degree line to the 190 degree line not less than 3·55 inches.

Immersion—A swelling is made in the stem to ensure that the thermometer shall be fixed in its brass collar so that the distance from the top of the collar to the bottom of the bulb is 3·5 inches ±0·1 inches.

Graduation—Scale graduated in 1 degree Fahrenheit divisions. Every fifth degree and tenth degree to be indicated by longer lines. Figured at every tenth degree in full.

Marking—"Abel Water Bath" : Identification number : "Fahrenheit" : Maker's or Vendor's name or trade mark.

The brass collar of the thermometer is in each case of the following dimensions :—

Outside diameter—push fit in socket.

Thickness of tube—22 I.W.G.

Thickness of flange—0·1 inches ±0·001 inches.

PART II.

MANNER OF TESTING AN INFLAMMABLE LIQUID.

1. For the purposes of these Regulations an inflammable liquid shall be tested by means of apparatus constructed in accordance with the specification contained in Part I of this Schedule.

2. The test apparatus shall be placed for use in a position where it is not exposed to currents of air or draughts.

3. The heating vessel or water-bath shall be filled by pouring water into the funnel until it begins to flow out at the spout of the vessel. The temperature of the water at the beginning of the test shall be 130 degrees Fahrenheit and no heat shall be applied to the water-bath during the test. When a test has been completed and it is desired to make another test the water-bath shall be again raised to 130 degrees Fahrenheit which may conveniently be done while the cup is being emptied, cooled and refilled with a fresh sample to be tested. The next test is then proceeded with.

4. If an oil test lamp is being used it shall be prepared by fitting it with a piece of flat plaited candle-wick, and filling it with colza or rape-oil up to the lower edge of the opening of the spout or wick tube. The lamp shall be trimmed so that when lighted it gives a flame of about 0·15 of an inch diameter, and this size of flame, which is represented by the projecting white bead on the cover of the oil cup, is readily maintained by simple manipulation from time to time with a small wire trimmer. A gas test lamp may be employed, and if so, the size of the jet of flame shall be adjusted to the size laid down above.

5. The bath having been raised to the proper temperature the cup shall be placed on a level surface in a good light and the inflammable liquid to be tested shall be poured into it, until the level of the liquid just reaches the point of the gauge which is fixed in the cup. Before a test is begun the temperature of the inflammable liquid shall be determined and shall be brought to approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cover, with the slide closed, shall then be put on to the cup and pressed down so that its edge rests on the rim of the cup, and the cup shall be placed into the bath or heating vessel, every care being taken to avoid wetting the sides of the cup with the liquid. The thermometer in the lid of the cup has been adjusted so as to have the correct immersion when the brass collar of the thermometer is properly seated, and its position shall not in any circumstances be altered. When the cup has been placed in the proper position, the scale of the thermometer faces the operator.

6. The test lamp shall then be placed in position upon the lid of the cup. When the temperature has reached 66 degrees Fahrenheit the operation of testing shall be begun, the test flame being applied once for every rise of one degree, in the following manner :—

The slide shall be slowly drawn open while a metronome, set so as to beat at the rate of 75 to 80 beats in the minute, beats three times and shall be closed during the fourth beat. A pendulum of 24 inches effective length may be used in place of the metronome, counting one beat from one extremity of the swing to the other.

Given under the Seal of Office of the Minister for Industry and Commerce this 22nd day of December, 1939.

(Signed) R. C. FERGUSON,

Secretary,.

Department of Industry and Commerce.