HEALTH AND SAFETY
27080 Issue 1 August 98 1--5
D If dry Nitro--cellulose based ink ignites, it will generate its own
oxygenandcanonlybeextinguishedbyloweringthetemperature
with water
D If a Nitro--cellulose fire occurs, ENSURE THAT THE
ELECTRICAL POWER IS IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM
THE PRINTER BEFORE water is used to extinguish the fire.
Fire risk is a most important consideration where printing inks are
storedandused. Thedegreeoffirehazardwillvaryconsiderablyfrom
one type of ink or wash to another.
Water--based inkswillnotburn,althoughinksbased onwater--alcohol
mixtures may burn if there is sufficient alcohol present. Prolonged
exposureofwater--based systemstohightemperatures mayevaporate
the water to give a flammable residue.
Solvent--based inks offer a greater degree of hazard depending on the
particular solvent or solvent combination. When there is a particular
hazard the appropriate information is given on the SDS.
Ink jet printers place small electrostatic charges on the ink drops used
for printing. In most circumstances, such as when they arrive at the
print surface, these electrostatic charges are either conducted away or
cannotaccumulate. However,duringmaintenance,printdropsmaybe
collected in a container, such as a beaker. It is essential that this
container is made of conducting material and is securely connected to
ground/earth. The electrostaticcharges will then be safelyconducted
to ground/earth.
If there is a fire, there is a likelihood that dangerous fumes will arise
from printing inks. For this reason ink must be stored where it can be
reached quickly by the fire fighting service, and where it will not
spread beyond the store.
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