Two resources for gas fittings and compatible tubing material are Scott’s Specialty Gas or Airgas.  Check out their Technical information online or speak to a representative from the company that will supply the H2 to the lab.  Contacting these suppliers will probably get your specific questions answered quickly.

A second resource is the Hydrogen Association at http://www.hydrogenassociati on.org/ and http://w ww.hydrogenandfuelcellsafety.info/resources.asp

Note there are links to best practices, lab safety, fittings and tubing.  You’ll learn more about hydrogen gas safety than you ever thought to ask.

I’ve not had much success going the fire safety route, so am trying the chemical/lab safety listservs for help.  Please forgive the cross-posting.

We have 2 researchers who use or plan to use hydrogen gas in their labs.

One is a biology lab and I don’t yet know much about why and how the hydrogen is used, except that it appears to be being plumbed into a tabletop “tent” approximately 4’ x 4’ x 4’.  The tent appears to be made of a clear plastic material.  I do not as yet know if it is static-resistant.

The other is a chemistry lab where the hydrogen will be used to consume residual oxygen in an anaerobic chamber.  The approximately 1-lb tank will be secured to the bench and the researcher plans to plumb it himself with copper line.

Naturally I have some concerns about hydrogen being used in the lab.  I doubt there are safer substitutes in these cases, but if anyone knows of one, can you please share them?

Can anyone point me to specific safety guidelines I can share with these researchers?

Thanks in advance.

Mary M. Cavanaugh CIH

University Industrial Hygienist

Safety & Workers' Comp. Office

cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**appstate . edu

(828) 262-6838 Direct

(828) 262-2936 Fax