Proper placement, wording and optimum frequency of Warning signs are very important in context of prevention of accidents and ensuring safety of people and the environment. Fire and explosions are responsible for a vast portion of the national fatality rate and social research data indicates that 73% of these accidents have been caused due to absence of proper warning signage or confusion regarding the meaning of such signage amongst viewers/ people involved in the accident. It is therefore obvious that the importance of flammable and explosive cautionary signs cannot be stressed enough.
Legal rules about warning signs concerning Explosives
DSEAR (The dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres Regulations) came into force in 2002 to protect citizens and the environment against explosions and other casualties concerning fires. The act specifies rules to be followed while handling flammable solids/liquids/gases and the restrictions on the quantity of such substances to be stored for scientific or commercial purposes.
There are three categories of explosive agents described as follows. High explosives are materials like emulsions, water gels, flash powders, bulk solutes and dynamite. These can get detonated when lying unconfined at a slight provocation. These kinds of materials are to be stored with extreme caution and labeled with Self adhesive vinyl signs saying €dangerous explosives keep off!). The signs are to be white with red borders and red lettering and they should be of a minimum size of 160mm*300 mm.
Low explosives are materials which can deflagrate only when kept in confinement. Black powders, igniter cords, safety fuses, lighters and fireworks are all low explosives. Blasting agents comprise the third category of explosives. Ammonium nitrate solution and certain water gels are blasting agents. These will work only in combination with certain other products.
The federal laws concerning explosives are developed in partnership with IME (international Makers of Explosives and ISEE (International Society of Explosives Engineers).
Kinds of Flammable and Explosive Caution signs
OSHA (occupational safety and health association) signs are used on a nationwide scale as a form of caution regarding transport, storage and handling of explosives and flammable materials.
Some popular text content for such warning signs are €explosive material authorized personnel only€, €warning!". Flammable liquids€, €flammable no smoking €, €gasoline inflammable€, €no open flame or ignition source within 5 feet€ or €combustible dust explosion hazard€. These signs are generally not text only but have picture depictions of fire, danger signs, and cigarettes with a slash across it, death skulls or other warning signage.
Generally explosives are depicted with a picture of an explosion and flammable substances are depicted by a fire symbol.
Companies generally offer a wide range of choice in the materials used for constructing warning signs. The common varieties are 3 mm rigid Vinyl, Photo luminescent Vinyl, enhanced brass added self adhesive GV (vinyl), steel/ metal effect semi rigid Polyester Vinyl, MS(Marine grade) vinyl, aluminum composite and flexible magnetic(to be attached to metal surfaces).
As a rule explosive and flammable warning signs are not used in a customized way however you can add text over and above the official safety requirements. For more details regarding the safety regulations concerning explosives, consult the European Government occupational safety website.