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Parent Category: Safety Info Posts

Category: Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

Published: 07 December 2012

If you spend any time around Anhydrous Ammonia, you know how easy it is to detect its presence; however, if you have ever tried to find the leak causing the issue, it can be extremely difficult. One method that is by far the most common, most simple, and one of the easiest and cheapest methods is the use of sulfur (or sulfur) sticks. These things have been around facilities handling ammonia for generations, and I am not even sure of the full history of them, but I can attest to their effectiveness and ease of use. But as a safety professional, I have some concerns with their use and wide acceptance as the "only method that makes sense to locate leaks."  I will frame up my concerns using the OSHA minimum compliance requirements. Now I am in NO WAY suggesting these devices NOT be utilized, but using them comes with some level of risks and advantages; so I am just trying to start the discussion by asking the questions and trying to use a situation as a learning experience that is much more than just about the use of sulfur sticks.

Here is a scenario to consider... A leak has been identified by odor, and in order to find the exact leak point, operators use sulfur sticks, which require the stick(s) to be lit using an open flame. My questions:

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