Demonstration Safety

This page lists all safety precautions and requirements for demonstrations. Please read over carefully before performing any demonstrations.

Fire Demonstration Safety

Some of our demonstrations use fire. Please take the following precautions if you are performing a demonstration involving fire:

• Tie back long hair and do not wear loose clothing.
• All presenters must wear safety glasses or goggles while the demonstration is being performed. Presenters not involved in the demonstration should stay at least six feet away from the demonstration.
• If a blast shield is used, the audience must be at least six feet away. If a blast shield is not used, the audience must be at least 15 feet away. A small blast shield is required for fire demonstrations that sit on a table.
• Fire demonstrations are never to be aimed towards the audience or demonstrators.
• Keep fire away from flammable items such as hair, clothing, and combustible powders and liquids (CPLs).
• Keep containers of CPLs closed until just before they are needed so that fumes or powders do not ignite.
  • CPLs should be measured out with ignition sources turned off and at least six feet away.
  • After they are measured out, close the container and remove it from the demonstration area before turning on the ignition source.
  • If possible, pre-measure the amount needed for the demonstration so the bulk container does not need to be brought.
  • Any spilled CPL should be taken care of immediately using a proper spill agent. Ignition sources should be turned off/extinguished if they are on/lit, and should not be turned on/lit until after the spill is taken care of.
• When using any device that produces fire or heat, with the exception of candle lighters and matches, wear heat-resistant gloves.
• When handling any object that is currently being or has recently been heated, wear heat-resistant gloves.
• Always have a fire extinguisher within easy access. Make sure you know how to operate it.
• Most fire demonstrations give off smoke. Be aware of smoke detectors, and read the safety precautions for Flying Particles.

Cryogen Demonstration Safety

• Cryogens are solids, liquids or gases that are cooled far below the freezing point of water. They can cause frostbite within seconds

• Some common cryogenic materials used in our demos are dry ice, liquid nitrogen and objects that have been placed in liquid nitrogen.

SAFTEY GEAR

• Required: A small Blast Shield, Safety Googles, Cryogen-safe Gloves
• Recommended: Lab Coat

Cryogen Storage and Containment

• LIQUIDS
  • 1.Storage
    • Cryogen liquids must be kept in a cryogen approved container. Do not overfill the container. Store and use the cryogenic liquid in a well ventilated area.
  • 2.How to contain a spill.
    • Liquid Cryogens will vaporize rather quickly. Make sure to block off the area around the spill to prevent people from coming in contact with the liquid nitrogen.
  • 3.What to do if you spill on yourself.
    • If the spill occurs on exposed skin, remove your skin from the liquid nitrogen immediately. If the spill occurs on clothing, pull the clothing away from your skin, while it vaporizes. If the spill was severe enough to soak your clothing so you cannot create space between the cryogen soaked cloth and your skin, you should remove that article of clothing.
  • 4.How to clean up a spill
    • Objects around the spill should be moved to all the cryogen to spread and vaporize more quickly. Make sure that the area is well ventilated and the cryogen liquid dos not come into contact with people or sensitive materials.
• SOLIDS
  • 1.Storage
    • Cryogenic solids must also be kept in a container that is insulate and designed for low temperatures. The container is should not be air tight and the storage area must be well ventilated.
  • 2.How to contain a spill.
    • Spilled cryogenic solids should be kept away from people and sensitive materials. A solid cryogenic spill can be contained with cloths to prevent the solid from traveling further.
  • 3.What to do if you spill on yourself.
    • Solid cryogens will fall off of clothing without causing harm. If the solid cryogen comes in contact with our bare skin, remove the solid. Watch the exposed skin for signs of frostbite.
  • 4.How to clean up a spill
    • Solid cryogens can be picked up and placed back into their container. Make sure that appropriate safety attire is worn during this process.

DO NOT ALLOW THE AUDIENCE TO HANDLE CRYOGENIC MATERIAL

Dry Chemical Demonstration Safety

A dry chemical is a chemical substance that is not suspended in a liquid, most commonly water. Dry chemicals are most commonly found in powder form. If you are dealing with chemicals in a liquid form, please see Liquid Chemical Safety.

• When handling dry chemicals, safety goggles and rubber gloves must be worn at all times.
  • It is highly recommended that a lab coat is also worn while handling dry chemicals.
• Be aware of the properties of the chemicals used in a demonstration, as well as any safety hazards they might pose.
• Do not use any chemicals that you have not been trained on the use of, or are unfamiliar with.
• See Fire Demonstration Safety for additional guidance if the chemical is used to create a flame.
• See Flying Particles Safety for additional guidance if the chemical creates flying particles, including smoke/fumes.
• Dry chemicals should be kept in sealed containers at all times
  • The containers should not be opened until they are needed, and should be closed immediately after use
• If a dry chemical is spilled:
  • Scoop up as much as possible of the spilled chemical and place it in a plastic bag or other non-reactive, sealable container.
  • Wet a paper towel and wipe down the area.
  • Place the paper towel along along with the rest of the spilled chemical in the plastic bag or other container.

Flying Particle Demonstration Safety

Under Construction Some of our demonstrations release particles or debris during the performance. Please take the following precautions if you are performing a demonstration which releases particles:

• Use a blast shield, if possible. It will help protect the audience from any debris.
• Have a designated "Blast Radius" for the demonstration. If you have a blast shield, the minimum radius is six feet. If you do not, the minimum radius is fifteen feet.
• All presenters and volunteers must wear safety glasses or safety goggles when the demonstration is being performed. Presenters not involved in the demonstration should stay outside of the blast radius.
• If the demonstration fires particles in one direction, it should be aimed away from the audience and other demonstrations.

If a demonstration gives off smoke or any similar micro-particles, then please use the following safety precautions:

• Only perform a demonstration which gives off smoke or similar micro-particles in a well ventilated area
• Notify the contact for the event prior to the event that the demonstration gives off smoke. They may need to move your presentation to a new room, or ask for a different demonstration to replace it.
• Be aware of any smoke alarms in the room, if any, and avoid using the demonstration near one.
• Do not let anyone from the audience to come close to a demonstration that is still giving off smoke.