Vaping and Explosives

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jml255

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Jul 27, 2013
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I know the laws about smoking while transporting explosives and flammables but I have never really seen a discussion about vaping while transporting explosives. The heating element is rather contained and only glows hot if you run it dry and really try to get it red hot. I am not concerned about it and was wondering what everyone thinks.
 

bingoking

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hi... i dont know what the DOT says about it..i reload ammo and used to smoke real ones while doing it just got to be careful not to flick your ashes into it!!!..with regular powder not much a big deal..just a small burn..but with blackpowder it could be real bad..but if the ecig is away from it i dont think it would be a problem..we who reload have been paying that stupid hazmat fee for years and i have never seen or heard of a truck with powder and primers blowing up or burning down!!!
 

retired1

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I don't think the Hazmat regulations cover e-cigs. However, knowing how DoT tends to interpret things, I don't think I'd press the issue or get caught vaping inside the stipulated distances for smoking cigarettes. It's just not worth it.

Considering some of the materials transported have flash points far below the temperatures produced by an e-cig, it's just common sense not to vape in the cab or anywhere near your load.
 

Catuela

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I think this would kind of fall under the "lets keep ourselves under the radar" I am pretty sure you will never hear of a legitimate industrial incident caused by vaping. However just think about the business terminology "best practices" Is heating a small amount of liquid to vaporization using a heated coil the best thing you could be doing while transporting hazardous material?

We know nothing would ever happen, but other people might not understand.
my .02

-Will
 

Catuela

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My problem is that it just looks too much like smoking to other people. I'm not worried about the heating element. the exhaust from the truck produces more heat closer to the tanks.

There lies 99% of the problem you could have with this. If you are driving commercially and have to go through a weigh station, you need to put yourself in the inspectors shoes, who probably has no idea what a vaporizer is.
 

yzer

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It's a judgement call based on the explosive or volatile nature of the environment in which you work. A vaporizing coil glows white hot. PVs are vented to prevent injury in the event of battery outgassing. Battery outgassing can be a point of ignition. On the other hand many components of transport vehicles could fail and act as an ignition point. Just use common sense based on your situation and best knowledge.
 

jml255

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Jul 27, 2013
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It's a judgement call based on the explosive or volatile nature of the environment in which you work. A vaporizing coil glows white hot. PVs are vented to prevent injury in the event of battery outgassing. Battery outgassing can be a point of ignition. On the other hand many components of transport vehicles could fail and act as an ignition point. Just use common sense based on your situation and best knowledge.

I agree totally. The danger of smoking near the material isn't really the cigarette itself, its the fire danger associated with the smoking. I am not totally sold on the safety of doing it. I used to smoke and go all day without a cig. Then on my drive home I would chain smoke. I quit smoking and 2 weeks later started vaping. Since I still don't vape in the truck, i will stop for my safety checks and puff on it stealth style away from the rig. Just popping the idea out there to see what others think, because I have heard of gas haulers using e-cigs.
 
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