Introduction
Corrosives, Solvents, and Pressurized Gases
8
Nicolet iS5 Spectrometer Safety Guide
Thermo Scientific
Volatile Solvents
If you use volatile solvents regularly, purging the instrument with dried, clean air or nitrogen
is strongly recommended to create positive pressure inside the instrument. To avoid fire,
explosion, and asphyxiation hazards, follow these guidelines when working with solvents.
• Do not leave exposed solvent in the sample compartment for longer than necessary.
• Work with the sample compartment cover open. For most infrared and near-infrared
applications, it is not necessary to close the sample compartment cover.
• Do not leave the solvents near the instrument.
• If possible, purge the sample compartment.
• Be sure that your work space is properly ventilated.
These measures will help prolong the life of your instrument and will eliminate the possibility
of spectral interference caused by volatile solvent vapors.
Corrosive Solvents
Using solvents that may produce HCl or HF vapors in the sample compartment may severely
damage the system. If you use halogenated solvents, such as those listed below, purging the
instrument with dry, clean air or nitrogen is strongly recommended. Equipment damage due
to failure to purge is not covered under the warranty. (If you have questions about this, please
contact us.) The following is a list of commonly used halogenated solvents:
• Freon
• Methylene chloride
• Trichloroethylene
• Chloroform
• Carbon tetrachloride
WARNING
Prevent fire and explosion. The infrared source inside the instrument is an
ignition source. If you are using volatile solvents, provide a fume hood or other active
venting system that is free of spark and other ignition sources and prevents flammable
vapors from collecting in the atmosphere surrounding the instrument.
CAUTION
Materials such as hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and phosgene are highly
toxic
(Note to translators: very toxic is the classification for European Nations)
. If you
plan to regularly use solvents containing halogenated hydrocarbons, be sure your work
area is properly ventilated.
