Caf Digital Imaging
page 4
MF36
1.0
S
AFETY
I
NFORMATION
.
1.1
General.
Please read all of this section first.
Please look through the complete manual before connecting the furnace. In
particular read through the section on installation and observe section 3.6
about supply voltage.
This furnace must be earthed (grounded).
Do not operate the furnace at temperatures above 815
°
C (1500
°
F) with the door open.
The furnace door must not be left open longer than is necessary to load and unload samples from
the work tube.
The furnace door must be closed and secured using the two swing bolts before commencing a
Coal Ash Fusion test. It is important that the swing bolts are tightened evenly to create a gas tight
seal between the door flanges. When a coal ash fusion test is running the yellow Test In Progress
light illuminates on the control panel and the green Standby Mode light goes out. Do not open
the furnace door when the Test In Progress light is illuminated or exposure to carbon monoxide
may result. See section 1.2: Carbon Monoxide Warning.
During a test only the yellow Test In Progress light should be illuminated. If any of the other
three lights are illuminated (see fig 11) then there is a fault:
do not use
the furnace until the fault
is rectified.
During Standby Mode only the green Standby Mode light should be illuminated. If there are no
lights illuminated, or if any of the other three lights are illuminated (see fig 11) including the
green Standby Mode light, then there is a fault:
do not use
the furnace until the fault is rectified.
Do not operate the furnace with the door or window ‘O’ ring seals removed or exposure to
carbon monoxide may result. See section 1.2: Carbon Monoxide Warning.
A regular work tube pressure test must be conducted to ensure integrity of the work tube and ‘O’
ring seals. See section 3.3.5: Pressure testing of the Work Tube Assembly.
To avoid fire, do not expose combustible materials to heat from the open door.
Do not use the furnace in the presence of inflammable or combustible chemicals: fire or
explosion may result. Do not place the furnace on an inflammable surface.
When operating the furnace wear appropriate safety clothing, including eye protection and
gloves.
Isolate the furnace from the electrical and gas supply and ensure that the furnace is cold before
changing elements, thermocouples or undertaking other routine maintenance.
1.2
Carbon Monoxide Warning.
Operation of the CAF Digital furnace involves the use of carbon monoxide.
When testing in accordance with ASTM: D1857-87 (1994) Carbon
monoxide is introduced as a ‘reducing’ atmosphere gas and carbon
monoxide is produced as a by-product when testing in accordance with
BS1016: Part 113: 1995 ISO 540: 1995 and ASTM: D1857-87 (1994).
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and inflammable
gas which is acutely toxic. CO is introduced into the blood stream through the lungs and binds
with the haemoglobin preventing it from carrying oxygen around the body. This can result in
rapid damage to body tissues due to oxygen starvation. Since CO is an accumulating toxin it can
be dangerous even when present in quite low concentrations over long periods of time.
Individuals vary considerably in their reactions to concentrations of toxic gases; table 1 shows
the typical effects of cumulative CO exposure.
