laboratory. fire safety · a researcher was unable to extinguish the fire with two portable fire...
TRANSCRIPT
Objectives1. Learn UMD Emergency Procedures.2. Become familiar with emergency
equipment in your area and learn how to use it.
3. Identify fire hazards in laboratory settings:
On January 15, 2001, a fire occurred in a Chemistry Building laboratory. A 4-liter bottle of flammable liquid broke inside a fume hood, emptying its contents into the hood and onto the floor. Several hot plates were located inside the hood and ignited the flammable liquid.
A researcher was unable to extinguish the fire with two portable fire extinguishers and quickly exited the laboratory. 911 was called.
Other bottles of flammable materials soon broke, providing more fuel and allowing the fire to intensify. Soon after, a small explosion occurred when flammable materials stored in the cabinet underneath the hood became involved in the fire. The Fire Department extinguished the fire.
Texas Tech – January 15, 2001
EmergencyResponse
Guide
Know YourEmergencyProcedures
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
RADIATION SPILL
CHEMICAL SPILL
BIOLOGICAL SPILL
PERSONAL INJURY
FIRE
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLANDDEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETYDIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS
Activation of the Fire Alarm System
Know the locations of the nearest fire alarm pull stations
The fire alarm is monitored by the Dept. of Public Safety
Evacuation Plan
Know the locations of the nearest exit and alternate exits
Know how to be accounted for
Emergency Telephone NumbersCampus Phones
911
Cell Phones
#3333Verizon Wireless, Sprint
Nextel, ATT, and T-Mobile
ALL FIRES, INCLUDING EXTINGUISHED FIRES, MUST BE REPORTED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
301-405-3333 Others
Fire Alarm System Fire Alarm may be activated
automatically by smoke detectors or the sprinkler system in addition to manually by pull stations
Sprinkler System
Sprinklers are activated individually by heat and are automatic
Not all laboratories are sprinklered
Fire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguishers are placed in certain locations as required by the fire code.
Total and immediate evacuation is safest. The UM Policy on Fire Emergencies is a total evacuation policy. You are required to fight a fire.
NOT
DO NOT place yourself or others in danger
DO NOT delay activation of the fire alarm
DO NOT delay notification of the fire department
If you are trained in the safe use of fire
extinguishers and chose to fight a fire:
Natural Gas Valves
• Make sure valves are fully closed when not in use
Be aware of open valves and leaks
DO NOT disregard slight odors
Heat Producing & Electrical Equipment Be familiar with controls and
features. All unattended heat producing equipment is required to have a manual reset over-temperature switch.
All unattended operations must be provided with automatic shutdown to prevent system failure that could result in a fire or explosion.
Operate equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Make sure equipment is turned off when not in use.
Keep heat producing equipment clear of flammable and combustibles.
Electric stirrers, when used with combustible or flammable liquids which are heated above their flash points, must be suitable for such use.
Refrigerators, freezers, or coolers must be prominently labeled to indicate whether they are or are not suitable for storing flammable liquids.
Use only properly installed electrical wiring and UL listed/FM approved electrical equipment –avoid extension cords.
Electrical Safety Use power strips
with built in circuit breakers.
Use electrical equipment that is listed and use it according to manufacturer’s instructions
Oxidizers
Oxidizers produce oxygen that supports and accelerates fires
Examples: Nitric Acid, Oxygen
Hazards: Increase intensity of fires, may react like explosives
Organic Peroxides
Examples: Hydrogen Peroxides, Peracetic Acid
Hazards: Unstable and explosive in fires, extremely flammable, may be shock and friction sensitive
Corrosives
Liquids or solids that destroy human tissue
Examples: Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid, Picric Acid
Hazards: Can be oxidizers, water reactive, unstable, poisonous
Compressed Gas May be flammable, non-
flammable, liquefied, or cryogenic
Examples: Propane, hydrogen, oxygen and liquid nitrogen
Hazards: May be flammable, may support combustion (oxidizer), high expansion ratios, B.L.E.V.E. One spare cylinder allowed per
operation in laboratories
Flammable Solids
Alkali metals that burn under certain conditions
Examples: Magnesium, Sodium, Phosphorous
Hazards: Ignite easily and burn violently, may react with water and air, produce toxic or corrosive vapors
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Give off concentrations of vapor which form an ignitable mixture with air
Examples: Ethyl Ether, Toluene, Glacial Acidic Acid
Hazards: Ignitable and burn, hazards associated with other chemical classes.
Storage and Use of FlammableAnd Combustible Liquids
Flammable Liquids Storage Cabinet
Keeps fire away from flammable vapors
May ONLY be ventilated directly to the outside IF specifically necessary (i.e., exposure concentration concerns)
Flammable Liquids Storage Refrigerator Keeps ignition
sources away from flammables stored inside
Explosion Proof only necessary in hazardous locations $$$
Factors AffectingStorage and Use Layout, construction, and arrangement
of buildings Classification of liquid Quantities of liquid Type of container
Summary Of Storage Requirements There is a maximum quantity of liquid that can be
stored outside of a flammable liquid storage cabinet or safety cans. The maximum quantity in an instructional laboratory is 50% less than that for a research laboratory.
A maximum of 120 gallons of Class I, Class II, Class IIIA liquids may be stored in a flammable liquid storage cabinet. Of this total not more than 60 gallons shall be of Class I and Class II liquids. Not more than 3 such cabinets are allowed per fire area.
•There is a maximum quantity of liquid that can be stored in any laboratory including inside a flammable liquid storage cabinet. The maximum quantity in an instructional laboratory is 50% less than that for a research laboratory. The quantity is based on many factors.
Rule of Thumb – Store the minimum amount necessary, keep it in a flammable liquid storage cabinet and take out only what you need when you need it.
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Keep aisles clear for
emergency egress Do not place items in corridors
or stairwells Do not place flammable liquids
near exits Do not obstruct fire safety
equipment Keep lab area neat Properly segregate chemicals
Reference MaterialNFPA
Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials(Latest Edition)
NFPANFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals
DESwww.des.umd.eduUMD Policy on Fire EmergenciesUMD Policy on Means of Egress