Explosion Prevention

Any laboratory containing hydrogen has an explosion hazard and should rely on a combination of hydrogen containment, purging operations to isolate hydrogen from air or other oxidizers, ventilation, and ignition source control to prevent an explosion. The particulars depend on the amount of hydrogen present, the storage and operating pressures, and the nature and amounts of other flammable materials or oxidizers in the lab.

References

National Electric Code requirements for ignition source control. (pdf, 495kb)

NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals

NFPA 69, Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems