Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 1976 - 33

TWO NEW COMPOSITE NOISE BARRIER MATERIALS
ARE SUITABLE FOR DIRECT APPLICATION TO
EQUIPMENT AND ENCLOSURES

arc welding operation dropped on exposed foam.
"Everyone operating a welding or cutting torch should know
that cellular plastic foam will burn, even if it contains fire retardants," Mr. Chivvis said.

Two composite noise barrier materials from Consolidated
Kinetics Corporation are especially suited for reducing noise.
When applied to 18 gauge steel, for example, sound transmission
is reduced by as much as 39#dB (STC).
Designated Type KC Single Noise Control Composite Materials and Type KC Double Composite Noise Control Materials, the
products are composites of a limp, flexible, loaded PVC noise
barrier with one or two permanently laminated polyester urethane
absorption foam layers. These materials are available with or
without pressure sensitive adhesive backing on one foam surface,
and have a maximum continuous operating temperature rating of
200"F. They are easily cut with a knife or scissors.
For further information on Type KC Noise Control Composite
Materials, write or call Consolidated Kinetics Corporation, 249
Fornof Lane, Columbus, OH 43207. Telephone: (614) 443-7621.-

"Don't take any chances. Always check to see if there is plastic
foam insulation near where you are using an open flame or other
heat source."
The Urethane Safety Group recommends a number of safety
precautions in working near urethane foams:
1. Do not cut or weld metal which is in contact with urethane.
Check both sides of work and voids within walls and ceilings
for any materials that can catch on fire and determine fire
watch requirements.
2. Scrape urethane away fr'om the area surrounding the place
to be welded or cut.
3. If hot work must be done near exposed urethane, shield the
foam from heat and sparks by a thermal barrier such as asbestos board. Move stored materials that can catch on fire and,
if possible, wet down any nearby combustibles that might
be exposed to high heat.
4. Maintain an alert fire watch with a suitable extinguisher, ladders or other necessary equipment. Water in a fine spray is an
effective method of extinguishing plastic foam fires.
5. Analyze each "hot work" operation in advance for special
safety precautions peculiar to that job.
A bulletin containing Fire Safety Guidelines for Use of Rigid
Urethane Foam Insulation in Building Construction is available
from the Urethane Safety Group, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., 355 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
There is no charge for single copies.
DANGEROUS MATERIALS CHART

SAFETY FACTS

This new feature will appear in this section as products or other

safety information comes to our attention. If you have devised
safer working methods or products, let us know. [ED.]

An instant reference wall chart giving emergency procedures
and hazardous properties for dangerous chemicals has just been
introduced by General Scientific Equipment Company. A great
aid in protecting lives and property, the Emergency Procedures
for Dangerous Materials Chart is a valuable safety tool particularly
in Industrial Plants, Research and School Laboratories. One
glance tells why a chemical is dangerous, its relative degree of
danger and how it should be handled. Also given are precautions
that should be taken in storing, handling and disposing of these
chemicals, plus general first aid procedures for handling emergencies.
Chart furnishes degree of hazard for eye contact, breathing,
skin penetration, irritation and swallowing. The Emergency
Procedures for Dangerous Materials Chart is available from General Scientific Equipment Company for $13.85. For further
information, contact: GSEC, Limekiln Pike & William Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19150.
-

FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS URGED
FOR HOT WORK AROUND PLASTIC FOAMS
NEW YORK - If you use a torch in your business, have a
care for plastic foam insulation.
The Urethane Safety Group reports that a number of fires
involving urethane fbams have been started by welding or cutting torches used in new construction or repairs.
A recent issue of a fire service magazine describes an instance
in which a serious fire was started when a cutting torch allegedly
ignited unprotected foam insulation in a refrigerated warehouse
as construction workers were cutting through walls from the outside to attach beams for a new addition.
The investigator who analyzed the fire sa id in the article that
although the urethane foam insulation on the inside surface of
the wall was covered by an intumescent paint which retarded
spread of the flames, the cutting torch ignited the unprotected
opposite surface of the foam.
Arthur B. Chivvis, executive director of the Urethane Safety
Group, points out that all plastic foams are organic substances
and will burn if sufficient heat is applied to them. He cited one
instance in which a fire started when hot metal from an electric

USITT

MENTION T D & T WHEN YOU WRITE
MANUFACTURERS

IN THE SUMMER ISSUE:
Extended coverage of the OISTT Congress and the Third
Prague Ouadriennale. Also Jarka Burian's analysis of
Josef Svoboda's Work, 1971-1975.

THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

SPRING,1976

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Spring 1976