Building 230 - Ryyper Gas Gun Lab

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The following hazards have been identifed during the most recent routine Industrial Hygiene survey conducted during the period from 25 June to 27 July 2018. The routine industrial hygiene survey process evaluates potential hazards to employees based on existing operations at the time of the survey. It is the responsibility of the Lab/Space Manager to report any changes in/new operations that could alter/introduce health hazards and exposures involved so that the new conditions and resulting exposures can be properly evaluated. To report changes, complete this form and email to Safety@nps.edu for review. The NPS Safety Office will then contact the servicing BUMED Industrial Hygienist for possible further actions.

Examples of changes that the need to be reported include the following:

• new operations with suspected health hazards are performed
• new chemical products are used
• an increase in major chemical usage
• new equipment with potential noise hazards is used
• other new equipment posing suspected or known health hazards, such as lasers, is used
• exposure frequency and time changes of operations with potential or known health hazards
• a change in local exhaust ventilation systems

Full Industrial Hygiene Reports for this space may be found at this page.

Operations:  

Rypper (Gas) Gun Lab: A ½-inch Rypper (gas) gun uses pressurized gas (currently 100 percent nitrogen but could in the future include a helium-nitrogen gas blend or compressed air) to propel a projectile that enters an attached expansion chamber, and then eventually into a catch chamber. Sections of PVC pipes are used as gun targets. Once firing is complete, the projectile is examined microscopically to study changes in its shape. While the rest of the setup is located in the building’s concrete vault, operations are controlled from a table-mounted control panel located immediately outside it.

A Chicago Pneumatics air compressor pressurizes a portable Gas Booster located on the vault’s floor.

Performs chemical cleaning using isopropyl alcohol and ethanol.

Uses PVC primer and cement with brushes attached to container lids to bond PVC pipe sections together.

Applies WD-40 in aerosol cans to equipment for general lubrication.