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Division of Research & Innovation

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Proper Use of a Bunsen Burner

(Printable version)

If using a Bunsen burner in a biological safety cabinet, see: Use of Natural Gas in Biosafety Cabinets

Prior to Lighting Bunsen Burner:

  • Know the location of the laboratory's main gas shut off valve and fire extinguisher.
  • Place the Bunsen burner away from any overhead shelving, equipment, or light fixtures by at least 12 inches.
  • Remove all papers, notebooks, combustible materials, and excess chemicals from the area.
  • Tie-back any long hair, dangling jewelry, or loose clothing.
  • Use correct tubing (butyl rubber hose). Inspect hose for cracks, holes, pinch points, or any defect and replace if necessary. Ensure that the hose fits securely on the gas valve and the burner.
  • Notify others in the lab that the burner will be in use.

Lighting Bunsen Burner: Lighting a Bunsen Burner diagram

  • Before turning on gas, have a sparker/lighter with extended nozzle to ignite burner. Never use matches. 
  • Check connections to burner and desk outlet valve.
  • Close needle valve and collar.
  • Open gas valve fully. 
  • Open needle valve 1/2 turn.
  • Use the spark/lighter to light the flame.
  • Adjust flame by turning the collar to regulate air flow and produce an appropriate flame for the experiment (typically a medium blue flame).

During Use:

  • Never leave a lighted burner unattended. Drafts (including those created by a hood) may extinguish the flame, but the gas will still be on. This could result in an explosion.
  • Never face the vessel (test tube, beaker, etc.) being used to heat a material toward yourself or others near the burner. In some experiments, a hot plate may be used in place of the Bunsen burner.
  • A hot plate or heating mantle must be used when flammable liquids are to be heated.

After Use:

  • Anything that has been heated with a Bunsen burner is likely to be very hot. Do not touch apparatus with your bare hands unless the air near it feels cool.
  • If you must handle hot apparatus, use crucible tongs or thermal gloves. Do not set hot apparatus on paper, you might set it on fire. Let the apparatus cool in place, with the burner removed or extinguished.
  • Shut off gas when its use is complete.
  • Allow the burner to cool before handling. Ensure that the main gas valve is off before leaving the laboratory.

 

WSU Office of Environmental Health & Safety

313-577-1200