How must baths heating flammable liquids be handled?

Handling baths that heat flammable liquids must prioritize safety to prevent the risk of fire or explosion. When flammable liquids are heated, they can produce vapors that may ignite, creating dangerous conditions in the laboratory.

The correct approach is to vent these baths to a safe location. This ensures that any vapors released during the heating process are effectively removed from the immediate atmosphere of the lab, reducing the risk of igniting a fire. Proper venting to an appropriate exhaust system or a designated area minimizes the concentration of flammable vapors, making this a crucial safety measure.

Other methods, such as placing the baths in a refrigerator, would be impractical and potentially dangerous, as it contradicts the purpose of heating the liquids. Covering them with blankets does not remove the risk of vapor accumulation and may even trap heat and vapors, increasing the hazard. Heating outside the lab could mitigate some risk, but it may not always be feasible or possible depending on the laboratory setup and protocols. Therefore, venting to a safe location is both a practical and effective safety measure to follow in the laboratory when handling flammable liquids.