Criticality Safety Provisions

DOE-STD-1066-99

The contents of gloveboxes and the need to limit contamination

spread due to a fire is an important consideration in determining the

number and location of separation devices.

15.2.6 Criticality Safety Provisions

15.2.6.1

Floor drains should be provided for all gloveboxes in which a criticality,

process safety, or other similar engineering analysis determines that

operations within a glovebox can create the potential for a criticality

incident.

15.2.6.2

Where criticality is a concern and a drain system provided, the glovebox

drain system design should provide for liquid collection/containment.

Containment methods may include tanks, diked floors, etc. In addition, the

drain piping and liquid collection systems/equipment should be designed

to avoid criticality incidents.

15.2.7 Glovebox Utilities and Services

15.2.7.1

All electrical components in the glovebox design should comply with the

applicable sections of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.

15.2.7.2

Utilities (e.g., water, air, gas, etc.) serving gloveboxes should be provided

with shutoff or isolation valves for use in the event of an emergency.

These valves should be located so as to permit rapid operator action while

simultaneously protecting the operator from the emergency itself in or

adjacent to the glovebox.

15.2.7.3

All heating devices used inside gloveboxes (such as hot plates, furnaces,

etc.) should be listed/approved and equipped with automatic high-

temperature shutoff switches. Where the presence of hazardous

conditions warrant, the FHA should consider the need for high temperature

alarms to be transmitted to a constantly attended location.

15.3 Automatic Fire Suppression and Inerting Systems

15.3.1

Inerting Systems

15.3.1.1

General

Gloveboxes should be provided with inert atmospheres when:

combustible or pyrophoric metals are in use in significant

quantities as determined by the AHJ; and

required by the FHA or SAR.

Glove box inerting may be used in lieu of an automatic fire suppression

system when conditions warrant.