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Turpentine Fumes And Electric Kilns


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Hey all,

 

I've been traveling around a bit to different studios looking at set ups, and came across something that doesn't seem right,but can't find an answer for. Perhaps you might know the answer.

 

One studio is a mixed media setup, where different artists have lockable cubicles. The high air space is open however, and there is no active ventilation. Several of the artists are working in oils, and the scent of oils/turpentine is moderately strong even when people are not present. For example, the work exhibited in the gallery is fairly strongly off gassing.

 

In this same space, they are firing a 4 cu mr paragon electric kiln without any vent. It is positioned by a back garage door, but this is closed in the winter. My question is: beyond the health hazards of the solvent gas vapor, isn't there a risk of combustion having a high heat source in the same air/warehouse space as the oil paint/solvent fumes? The guy running the place didn't seem concerned in the least. Since I've known places to burn from spontaneous combustion of rumpled oily rags (which is somehow related to the heat generated by the trapped fumes in the cloth), I wondered what the risks and remediations might be in a setting like this. Also, since no one can see into the cubicles, there is no way to verify that people are storing their rags in cans properly.

 

Not a place for me, but I'm curious about your thoughts regarding safety of these two activities being in the same building/space.

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Guest JBaymore

I doubt there is a danger of reaching a mixture in the air that is actually explosive.  It would drive the people out first and someone might notice the absurdly bad air quality before it reached that point.  There are specific ratios of fuel gases and air that are required for both combustion and also explosive qualities.

 

That being said...... in my travels around looking at studios... I've seem some pretty bad environmental health situations.  This sounds like it would be one of them.

 

best,

 

...............john

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No vent for the kiln or paint fumes? That's at least a serious health hazard just in terms of air quality. Rags from oil painting are problematic, they should go in a fire proof can (that is emptied each day) or it's considered a fire hazard. Call the fire marshall and let them know there may be a problem?

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I would not recommend turpenoid. It is made from a pesticide and is carcinogenic.look at the MSDS, it reads like a horror movie. High quality, triple distilled turpentine has little to no smell. If you do smell it,by sticking your nose in a jar, it smells like pine. If your using turpentine from a hardware store you need a new art teacher. You can also use essence of lavender, it's very pricey and only one US manufacture, Studioproducts.com.

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