1
Introduction
22
5975/5977 Series MSD Operating Manual
General laboratory precautions
•
Avoid leaks in the carrier gas lines. Use leak-checking equipment to
periodically check for hydrogen leaks.
•
Eliminate as many ignition sources from your laboratory as possible (open
flames, devices that can spark, sources of static electricity, etc.).
•
Do not allow hydrogen from a high pressure cylinder to vent directly to
atmosphere (danger of self-ignition).
•
Use a hydrogen generator instead of bottled hydrogen.
Operating precautions
•
Turn off the hydrogen at its source every time you shut down the GC or MSD.
•
Turn off the hydrogen at its source every time you vent the MSD. (Do not heat
the capillary column without carrier gas flow.)
•
Turn off the hydrogen at its source every time shutoff valves in an MSD are
closed. (Do not heat the capillary column without carrier gas flow.)
•
Turn off the hydrogen at its source if a power failure occurs.
•
If a power failure occurs while the GC/MSD system is unattended, even if the
system has restarted by itself:
1
Immediately turn off the hydrogen at its source.
2
Turn off the GC.
3
Turn off the MSD, and allow it to cool for 1 hour.
4
Eliminate
all
potential sources of ignition in the room.
5
Open the vacuum manifold of the MSD to atmosphere.
6
Wait at least 10 minutes to allow any hydrogen to dissipate.
7
Start up the GC and MSD as normal.
When using hydrogen
check the system for leaks to prevent possible fire and
explosion hazards based on local Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
requirements. Always check for leaks after changing a tank or servicing the gas
lines. Ensure the foreline pump exhaust and GC injection port vents are both
vented into a fume hood.