News Details

On 23 March 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), through its Technical Committee on Chemical Hazards (CHD 7), issued a wide circulation draft for the revision of the standard titled “Hexane - Code of Safety (First Revision)”. The draft document (CHD 7 (33985) WC) has been circulated to stakeholders for review and feedback, with comments invited until 22 May 2026. 

Background 

HexanAS No. 110-54-3) is a widely used hydrocarbon solvent in petroleum refineries and edible oil extraction processes. It is known for its high flammability and potential health hazards, including de (Crowsiness, impaired coordination, and severe respiratory effects at high exposure levels. 

Key Changes in the Revision 

• Incorporation of the general properties of hexane.  

• Updated safety measures for effective hazard control.  

• Inclusion of detailed information on symptoms of poisoning.  

• Addition of guidelines on first aid and medical treatment.  

• Enhanced provisions for storage, handling, and labelling.  

• Inclusion of employee safety measures and training requirements.  

• Detailed coverage of fire and explosion hazards.  

• Information on routes of exposure and toxicity.  

• Inclusion of fire prevention and firefighting measures.  

• Addition of provisions for health monitoring. 

• Revision of the title of the standard to “Hexane - Code of Safety” to align with BIS safety code formats. 

Extent and Limitations of the Hexane Safety Code 

The standard outlines the general properties of hexane, its associated hazards, and essential safety practices. These include storage, handling, packaging, labelling, waste disposal, cleaning of containers, personnel training, protective equipment, and first-aid measures. However, it does not cover design specifications for buildings, chemical plants, storage vessels, or operational equipment.