III/SOP/ Use of LPG Portable Bunsen Burners
Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation
SOP: LPG Portable Bunsen Burners
Written by:
Dr Rebecca Draper
Position: Departmental Safety Officer
Authorised by:
Dr Rebecca Draper
Position: Departmental Safety Officer
Issue date:
5/7/12
Effective from:
5/7/12 Version: 1
Review date: 4/7/12
Reviewed by: Rebecca Draper
Associated forms:
Position: Departmental Safety Officer (MSB)
Risk assessment - Use of LPG portable Bunsen burners.hta
LPG portable Bunsen burner Signing out sheet
1. Objectives
To enable safe use LPG (Liquid petroleum gases: Butane + 15-30% propane) portable Bunsen
Burners when the gas supply to laboratories in disrupted.
2. Scope
This SOP is for all members of the department who use LPG portable Bunsen Burners in the
MSB.
3. Equipment Checklist
LPG portable Bunsen Burners
LPG Refills
Available from Office 210 (Judith Jackson or
Jane Yardley)
Available from Office 210 (Judith Jackson or
Jane Yardley)
4. Procedure
a) All LPG portable Bunsen Burners MUST be signed out from office 210 and the location
recorded. Safe use and compliance of departmental policy of these appliances is the
responsibility of the individual who signed the burner out.
Where possible please make use of the Class 2 cabinets and disposable sterile loops as
an alternative to using a portable Bunsen burner.
b) Burners should be used away from open windows and other sources of draughts.
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III/SOP/ Use of LPG Portable Bunsen Burners
c) Ensure that burners are turned off after use.
d) Please follow manufacturers’ instructions when connecting burners to cartridges. This
operation should be performed in a well-ventilated place away from flames. If older
portable burners are used so that the cartridge is a pierceable one, it should not be
disconnected from the burner until it is completely empty. If it is suspected that a seal
is defective, it must be checked. Soapy water should be used to check for leaks, never
a naked flame. Leaks can sometimes be seen by ‘frosting’ appearing around the leak.
e) Do not turn the appliance on its side or upside down to flame agar plates to remove
bubbles as this will cause LPG to leak out. Liquid LPG may cause cold burns to skin,
however the consequence of a cold-burn to the skin is less serious than the
consequence of setting fire to gloves. Please be aware that it is preferable not to
wear gloves. Liquid LPG is extremely flammable. If liquid LPG leaks onto gloves there
is a risk that the LPG on the glove may ignite which will cause the glove to burn or
melt with potentially serious consequences to users.
f)
Burners and cartridges which are damaged in any way should not be used. Rubber
seals between burners and cartridges must be in good condition, not deformed nor
perished. Pierceable cartridges which are dented even slightly, on or near the ‘dimple’
which is to be pierced, should not be used. Any price tag in this area must be
completely removed.
g) The location of all burners attached to cartridges and spare cartridges must be known
So that in the event of a fire, the fire fighters can be informed. You must inform the
office to update the signing out sheet if the location is changed.
h) Please re-acquaint yourself with MSB building fire procedures.
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