MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

ACETYLENE
(Please ensure that this MSDS is received by the appropriate person)
DATE NO.:AUGUST 2011 Version 2
Ref No.: MSO56 4 FIRST AID MEASURES
1 PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION Acetylene act as a simple asphyxiant, by reducing the oxygen concentration in the
Product identification air below a level where it can support life, Person expose to such condition should be
Product name Acetylene taken to an uncontaminated area, keep the patient should be keep warm. Apply
chemical formula C2H2 artificial respiration only if the patient is not breathing, refrain using month to month
Trade name Ecetylene resuscitation. Person who has inhaled the fumes produced in a fire or during
Acetylene chemical reaction may not show any symptoms immediately. Person who has been
Disolved acetylene-DA expose the fumes should be encourage recline down and keep still. Prompt medical
Portapak acetylene attention is mandatory to such person. The person should be kept under medical
Econo pak acetylene observation for at least 48hours. Give the patient treatment if symptoms show.
Agrigas acetylene
Instrumentation grade acetylene 5 FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Colour coding Acetylene cylinder have maroon (A01) maroon. Extinguishing media Use dry powder or fog-water spray to extinguish
Acetylene cylinder may have different valve guard acetylene flame. In the absence of fog equipment a fine
colours depending on gas grade-green, orange, blue. spray of water may be used.
Some grades have the grade stenciled along the body in Specific hazards Acetylene is highly flammable. Cylinder in naked fire
white letters. Decals attached to the cylinder also may cause the activation of the pressure-relief devices,
provide information on grade. and/or the unpredictable violent rupture of the
Valves All large acetylene cylinders have a brass cylinder valve cylinder, which will add a large quantity of fuel to the
with a 5/8 inch BSP female left hand outlet thread. Only fire. Cylinder must be cool with large quantity of water
the small portapak acetylene cylinder has an 11/16 inch at a safe distance. An unignited gas cloud will form a
left hand female thread. highly flammable or explosive mixture in air, and all
Company identification African oxygen limited sources of ignition must be eliminated. A gas cloud may
23 Webber street also act as a simple asphyxiate.
Johannesburg Emergency actions Acetylene leak, leak not ignited, cylinder not hot.
2001 eliminate all sources of ignition in the area. Close the
Tel; (011) 490 0400 cylinder valve. If necessary tighten the gland nut. If leak
Fax: (011) 490 0506 continues, evacuate the area and minimizing personal
Emergency phone number 0860 111185 or 011 873 4382 risk by moving the leaking cylinder to a safe well
(24 hours) ventilated area. Post warning notices and prevent access
to the area. Do not tamper with the safety devices. Hot
2 COMPOSITION /INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS cylinder or Acetylene leak ignited. Raise fire alarm.
Chemical Name Acetylene close cylinder valve if it is safe to do so, and use
Chemically family unsaturated hydrocarbon appropriate fire extinguisher to put off flame cause by
Synonyms dissolved acetylene (DA) acetylene. If not possible allow small fires to remain
CAS No. 74-86-2 burning if they are not posing a hazard or impinging on
UN No 1001 cylinder, this will prevent build-up pressure from the
ERG No 116 cylinders. Call fire brigade. Remove all cylinders from
Hazchem warning 2 A flammable gas the path of the fire/flame. Cool cylinders exposed to the
fire by applying large amounts of water from a safe
3 HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION location. Evacuate the area. Do not attempt to move
Main hazards. Acetylene is extremely flammable and slightly lighter cylinders involved in a fire until they are cold for at least
than air. Acetylene ignites easily and burn with an one hour. Check by stopping the cooling process and
extremely hot bright flame giving off black smoke. note whether the cylinders surface dry rapidly or
Flammability limits in air; are between 2.5 and 82% by generate steam. Continue the cooling process until the
volume. Highly explosive mixtures can be formed in air cylinder surface remain wet without any dry patches
in this range. Acetylene is dissolved in acetone under forming quickly. Check with a bare hand that cylinders
pressure in a steel cylinder. Cylinder are filled with a remain cool for at least 1 hour. Should any cylinders be
porous substance to distribute the acetylene throughout found to be warm, repeat the cooling process. If the
the cylinder volume. Cylinders are transportable gas cylinders surface no long show rapid dry patches after
container. Cylinders must never be exposed to heat or stoping the cooling process, immerse the cylinder in
any source of ignition as this may cause cylinder to water for 12 hours to prevent spontaneous auto-ignition.
rupture and explosion may occur due to the gas involve. Protective clothing Fire fighters putting off the flame of acetylene should
Adverse health effects Acetylene gas can act as a simple asphyxiate, it may wear approved self contained breathing apparatus with
decrease the concentration of oxygen in the air below the full face mask. Safety gloves and shoes ,or boots,
level to support life. High concentration may cause should be worn when handling cylinders
narcosis. A 20% concentration may cause dyspnea and Environmental
headache. A 40% concentration or more may cause precaution Acetylene is lighter than air, ensure that it is not trapped
collapse. in confined spaces ,otherwise this could lead to the
Chemical hazards Never use free acetylene at pressure above 150Kpa as formation of an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Ventilate
the gas may decompose with explosive force under all confined spaces using forced draught if necessary.
certain conditions. Acetylene may form readily Ensure that all electrically equipments are flameproof.
explosive acetylide compounds when it come in-contact
with copper, silver or mercury. Acetylene should not be 6 ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
used with these metals, their salts, compounds or highly Personal precautions
concentrated alloys. Acetylene act as a simple asphyxiant, Care should be taken when entering confined
Vopour inhalation Acetylene is a simple asphyxiate, high concentration spaces where leaks may have occurred. Do not enter any potentially hazardous area
may cause narcosis. with any source of ignition, such as lit cigarette, non-flammaproof torch and cell
Eye contact Unknown effect phone.
Skin contact Unknown effect Small spills
Ingestion Unknown effect Small leaks should be extinguished by shutting off the source of acetylene supply,
e.g. closing the valve on the cylinder, or tightening the gland nut if it’s possible. If
unable to stop the small leaks “the source of acetylene”, move the cylinder to a well

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 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
ACETYLENE
(Please ensure that this MSDS is received by the appropriate person)
DATE NO.:AUGUST 2011 Version 2
ventilate area, away from any source of ignition .If the small leak has resulted in a 11 TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
flame use a multi-purpose dry powder extinguisher. If an extinguish is not available , Acute toxicity No known effect
a welder’s glove or heavy cloth soaked in water may be used to extinguish the flame. Skin and eye contact No known effect
Large spills Chronic toxicity TLV 750 VPM
Stop the source of acetylene if it can be stop without risk. Eliminate all source of Carcinogenicity No known effect
ignition and static discharges in the area. Restrict access to the area until completion Mutagenicity No known effect
of the clean-up procedure. Post warnings to prevent people from approaching the Reproductive hazards No known effect
area. Wear adequate protective clothing when working near the source of leak. (for further information see section 3.adverse health effects)
Ventilate the area using force draught if necessary. Ensure that all equipment is
flameproof. 12 ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
As acetylene is lighter than air, it will disperse rapidly in open areas. It does not pose
7 HANDLING AND STORAGE a hazard to the ecology.
Do not allow cylinders to slide or come into contact with sharp edges. Cylinder
should always be transported in the upright position, with the valve uppermost and 12 ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
be firmly secured to prevent rolling. Use “first in-first-out” inventory procedure or Disposal methods Small amounts may be blown to the atmosphere under
system to prevent full cylinder from being stored for excessive periods of time. controlled conditions. No source of ignition should be in
Don’t store acetylene and oxygen cylinder in a close proximity to each other. the vicinity. Large amounts should only be handled by
Oxygen and acetylene cylinder should not be stored in a same room because of these the gas supplier.
fact: explosives, oxidizing agent, radioactive agent, organic peroxides, Disposal of packaging The disposal of cylinders must only be handled by the
spontaneously combustible material. Cylinders should be stored away from any gas supplier.
source of ignition or excessive heat. If cylinder has been stacked horizontal, stand it
upright for at least 30 minutes before use to prevent acetone carryover. keep out of 14 TRANSPORT INFORMATION
reach of children Road transportation
UN No. 1001
8 EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION Class 2.1
Occupational exposure Danger group flammable gas
Hazards unknown effect. Subsidiary risk Asphyxiant
Engineering control ERG No. 116
measures engineering control measures are preferred to reduce Hazchem warning 2 A flammable gas
exposures. General methods include mechanical SEA TRANSPORTATION
ventilation process or personal enclosure and control of IMDG 1001
process conditions. Administrative controls and Class 2.1
personal protective equipment may also be required. Use Label flammable gas
a suitable flameproof ventilation system separate from AIR TRANSPORTATION
other exhaust ventilation systems. When exhausting ICA/IATA code 1001
direct to outside, supply sufficient replacement air to Class 2.1
make up for air removed by exhaust system. Packaging group flammable gas
Personal protection self-contained breathing apparatus should be worn when Packaging instructions
fighting larger fire. Safety goggles, gloves and shoes or -cargo forbidden
boots should be worn when handling cylinders. -passenger forbidden
Maximum quatity allowed
8 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES -cargo forbidden
Physical data -passenger forbidden
Chemical symbol C2H2
Molecular weight 26.038 g/mol 15 REGULATORY INFORMATION
Specific volume @200C and 1 atm 918.0 ml/g EEC Hazard class flammable gas.
Relative density(air=1)@1atm 1.0904g/ml Risk phrases R2 Risk of explosion by shock, fricyion, fire or other sources
Flammability limits in air 2.5-82%(by volume) of ignition
Auto-ignition temperature 3050C R11 highly flammable gas.
Colour unknown R44 risk of explosion if heated under confinement space
Taste unknown Safety phrases S2 keep out of reach of children
Odour Ethereal when pure.Garlic when S15 keep away from heat source
commercial S16 keep away from sources of ignition
S33 take precautionary measures against static discharges
10 STABILITY AND REACTIVITYS S37 wear suitable gloves
Conditions to avoid smoking, naked flame or any source of heat should not S39 wear eye / face protection
be brought near the cylinder storage are. Never use S51 use only in well ventilated areas
cylinders as rollers or to support or for any other purpose National legislation None
other than the storage of acetylene. Never tamper with Refer to SABS 0265 for explanation of the above.
pressure relief devices on the cylinder. Keep sparks,
flames or any source of ignition away from the cylinder. 16 OTHER INFORMATION
Never test leaks with a flame. Bibliography
Incompatible materials See section on chemical hazards. Compressed gas association, Arlington,Virginia handbook of compressed gases-3rd
Hazards decomposition edition Matheson. Matheson gas data book-6 th edition SABS 0265-labeling of
products Acetylene in its free state under pressure may dangerous substances
decompose violently. The higher the pressure, the
smaller the energy needed to cause an explosion. Never 17 EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY
use free gas outside of the cylinder at a pressure
exceeding 150kpa. Should cylinder content burning Information contained in this publication is accurate at the date of publication .The
inside, as indicated by a hot cylinder surface, this could company does not accept liability arising from the use of this information, or the use
lead to a build-up pressure, resulting in a cylinder ,application, adaptation or process of any products described herein.
rupture. Refer to section 5 for treating hot cylinder

AFROX is a member of The Linde Group

The stripe Symbol And the word “AFROX” Group Trademarks. Page 2 of 2