General Instructions »

1. Damped nitrocellulose must not be allowed to dry out. Dry nitrocellulose is more susceptible to ignition.
2. Nitrocellulose should not be subjected to heat through direct sunlight, impact or friction. This can lead to decomposition of the product and eventually to ignition.

For the same reason, it should not be allowed to come into contact with either alkaline or strongly acidic chemicals.

Handling »

Industrial nitrocellulose can be handled with complete safety provided certain simple rules as given below are observed.

1. Drums must not be allowed to fall during unloading. Preferably use a fork lift. In case of manual unloading use a ramp. Do not let the drums bump into each other.
2. Drums should not be rolled or dragged on concrete, steel floors or hard surfaces.
3. Use only non-sparking metals for tools e.g. brass, bronze etc.
4. Protect all nitrocellulose mixing and processing equipment against static electricity by adequate grounding of all metal parts.
5. Do not leave part drums in an open area. These should be properly sealed and returned to storage.

Industrial nitrocellulose is usually damped with inflammable damping medium. In this condition, it is not more hazardous than any other inflammable solvent used in the lacquer industry. However, the following points should be noted :

1. Nitrocellulose should be stored in a cool area, away from radiators, steam and exhaust pipes etc. The building should be constructed of fire resisting material and used for no other purpose than for storing nitrocellulose.
2. Smoking, matches and other fire sources to cause explosion in the area should be prohibited. No open light or fire should be permitted near the building. Flameproof electric fixtures should be used throughout the storage area as well as in other buildings in which nitrocellulose is handled or used.
3. Avoid any operation where static electricity may be generated.
4. Adequate ventilation should be provided in the room.
5. Preferably automatic water sprinklers should be in the storage room for sprinkling water, particularly in summer. This has to be done once a day to keep the temperature of the storage room below the flash point of the damping medium. If this is not possible, the drums could be hosed with water through a pressure hydrant.
6. Drums must not be opened in the storage area.
7. Partially used drums must be sealed carefully and fewest possible number should be opened at a time.
8. Drums should not be allowed to be stored for a longer period and should be issued on first in first out basis. However, if they are stored, they should be inverted at regular interval of 3 to 4 weeks to avoid separation of damping medium.
9. Adequate means of escape from the building and fire extinguishing arrangements should be provided.
10. The storage area should be always kept clean, free of oily rags and other spontaneously combustible rubbish.
11. All the passageways and exits must be kept clear.
12. The walls and the ceilings of the storage and processing buildings should be washed down periodically to remove dry nitrocellulose dust.
13. The amount of nitrocellulose kept in any manufacturing building should be minimized. Any wastage should be collected at once, deposited in a receptacle, wetted with water and burnt in an isolated place at the end of the day. Under no circumstances this should be disposed of in a boiler fire.
14. Drums should be stored in a single tier in an upright position (lid up). Before storing, make sure that the drums are sealed properly to prevent evaporation.
15. As dry nitrocellulose is easily inflammable, keep all lids on drums tightly closed before and after use.
16. To open the drums, brass, gun metal or other nonferrous metal or wooden instruments and tools should be used only.
17. The storage room must have lightening conductors, fire fighting equipment and flame proof fittings with switches for the light circuit located on the exterior of the storage building (preferably mounted on noncombustible construction) .
18. Empty drums must be cleaned thoroughly (inside and outside) with a cloth damped with water and the lid should be replaced securely. Cleaning should include the gaskets, lids, rings, etc. The cleaning rags must be disposed off in the same manner as the spilled nitrocellulose.
19. The building should be locked and no unauthorized person be allowed to enter it.

Nitrocellulose is a highly combustible material. The following precautions must be taken to avoid fire.

1. Adequate supply of water should be available for extinguishing fires, flooding unburnt material and cooling adjacent unignited drums. Only water should be used as carbon dioxide foam system and chemical extinguishers are ineffective.
2. Nitrocellulose burns fiercely when ignited, so all attempts to control or extinguish a fire must be made from a safe distance.
3. The lids of drums are liable to be blown off during a fire and accordingly due care should be taken by the fire fighting personnel.
4. As burning nitrocellulose gives off highly poisonous nitrous fumes, fire fighting personnel must wear breathing apparatus.

• Butanol/spirit damped nitrocellulose is not dangerous to health, but nitrous fumes from burning nitrocellulose are a lung irritant with delayed action.

Symptoms: Distressed breathing, tightness in the chest, coughing, headache, vomiting, cold, perspiration, protrusion of the eye balls, blueness of the skin and fainting. The latter symptoms are those associated with oedema (outpouring of fluid) in the lungs.

1. Remove the patient to fresh air and call a doctor. Give artificial respiration only if breathing has ceased.
2. Support the patient in a position which he finds most comfortable. Allow change of position if the patient desires.
3. Discourage physical activity and keep under observation for 24 hours.