setting a standard on fire safety in...

© Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Setting A Standard on Fire

Safety in Laboratories

Presented by

Hairulnizam Ishak, Senior Safety & Health Manager

National University of Singapore

ASCEL 2017


Objectives

1.To share key requirements of the draft standard

that would impact on the laboratories' design and

activities

2.To promote feedback from stakeholders when

the draft standard is released for public

consultation

2


Outline of Presentation

1. Background

2. Overview of Standard

3. Key Requirements in the Standard

4. Path Forward

3


Headlines from Lab Fires & Explosion

4

Dec 2016 - Link

Mar 2016 - Link

Oct 2016 - Link

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/03/30/a_young_lab_worker_a_professor_and_a_deadly_accident.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4142300/Researcher-lost-arm-blast-sues-University-Hawaii.html

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/fatal-lab-blast-blew-workers-off-their-chairs


Safety Cost

If You Think

Safety Is

Expensive…….

Try An

Accident!

5


Research in NUS

1.Multi-disciplinary initiatives such as life sciences, bioengineering and nanotechnology

2.Focus on high impact, strategic research of importance to Singapore

3.More than 690 Principal Investigators and 1700+ laboratories

6

Jan 2016 - Link

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/govt-commits-s-19b-to-new-5-year-plan-for-r-amp-d-initiatives-ri-8214052


Nature of Laboratories in

Singapore

7

Institute of Higher Learning

Research & Development

Healthcare

Industrial Support Services Commercial

Analytical Services


Objectives of Singapore Standard on

Fire Safety in Laboratories

To provide guidance and best practices to:

1. Control hazards

2. Protect the lab worker(s)/occupants

3. Protect the emergency responders

4. Limit loss to the laboratory unit of origin

8

© Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved. 9

3 Key Principles –Standard

Development

Compatibility within

Singapore context

Adopt & Adapt Best Practices

Right balance between Safety vs

Cost


Composition of Working Group

11

Convenor

SecretariatCo-Convenor

Working Group (WG) Members


Base Standards

12

NFPA45:2015

Standard on Fire Protection for

Laboratories Using Chemicals

NFPA55:2013

Compressed Gases and

Cryogenic Fluids Code


Retroactivity

1. Unless specified, not retroactive

a. New construction

b. Change in use or occupancy

2. Some requirements that apply to new and

existing labs e.g.

a. Capacity Limit vs Chemical Containers

b. Secondary Containment

c. Safety Cabinet Constructions

13


Content Page

Chapter 1 - Classification of Laboratory Unit

Chapter 2 - Laboratory Unit Design and Construction

Chapter 3 - Fire Protection

Chapter 4 - Explosion Hazard Protection

Chapter 5 - Laboratory Ventilation Systems

Chapter 6 - Compressed and Liquefied Gases

Chapter 7 - Chemical Management

Chapter 8 - Laboratory Operation and Apparatus

Chapter 9 - Hazard Communication

14


What is Laboratory Unit

• An enclosed space by a fire compartment

*Based on Cat B Lab Unit, Unsprinklered and Level 1

16

Floor Size = 1200m2

*Total MAQ for Liquid =

1000L

500L 500L

Floor Size = 1200m2


500L

500L

400L

Floor Size = 1200m2


1600L

400L 400L

400L


Chapter 1 – Classification of

Laboratory

1. Cat A Unit = High Fire Hazard

2. Cat B Unit = Moderate Fire Hazard

3. Cat C Unit = Low Fire Hazard

4. Cat D Unit = Minimal Fire Hazard

17

Higher classification -> Higher MAQ ->

More stringent design requirements


Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ)

for Flammable Liquid

*(SPRINKLER PROTECTED LAB)

18

Category Hazard Level Occupancy Type MAQ per lab

unit (L)

A High Industrial

(Oil & Gas Plant)

Up to

800 (2000)*

B Moderate All except healthcare

occupancy

Up to

750 (1000)*

C Low All Up to

250 (500)*

D Minimal All Up to 10L

Golden Rule – Store the minimum amount necessary,

keep it in a flammable liquid storage cabinet and take

out only what you need when you need it.


Chapter 2 - Laboratory Unit

Design and ConstructionConstruction Requirements for Laboratory Units

19

Floor Level Size of Lab Unit Minimum fire rating

(hour) per fire

compartment

> 24m habitable floor height ≤ 1000m22

(sprinkler required)

Above 3rd storey and not more

than 24m habitable floor height

Any Size 1 (2 for non-sprinkler)

2 – 3 Any Size 1 (2 for non-sprinkler)

1 Any Size 1 (2 for non-sprinkler)

B1 ≤ 1000m22


B2 ≤ 1000m22


Not Permissible


MAQ Limitation for Liquid & Gas

(SPRINKLER PROTECTED LAB)

20

Other Conditions

1. Basement levels and

floors higher than 24m

habitable floor height shall

be sprinkler protected

2. Max. 16L of Cat 1

flammable liquid allowed

at B1 & B2

3. Laboratory Unit D

(minimal fire hazard) is

exempted from the

requirements

© Copyright National University of Singapore. All Rights Reserved. 21

Why Quantity Threshold Is

Important

Mike Kehoe, FDNY Ladder 28

WTC Tower One, 9/11/2001


Chapter 4 – Explosion

Protection

Aim at protecting

occupants within and

outside the laboratory

that is considered to

contain explosion

hazard.

22

1. Limit amount of chemicals

2. Special preventive or

protective measures

(e.g. sprinklers,

equipment enclosure

etc)

Provide explosion

protection measures by one

or more of the following:

3. Explosion resistant

wall around lab work

area

4. Remote control of

equipment

5. Explosion vent

6. Conduct experiment

in isolated location

Explosion vent


Chapter 6 – MAQ for Compressed and

Liquefied Gases

Material Class “In use” Examples

Flammable gas Gaseous 28.3 m3 5 x H2 cylinders (30L)

Liquefied 15 kg 3 x 4.5kg LPG cylinders

Inert gas Gaseous No Limit -

Liquefied No Limit -

Oxidizing gas Gaseous 42.5 m3 7 x O2 cylinders (50L)

Liquefied 68 kg 3 x O2 Dewar cylinders (20kg)

23

Cylinder in Use

An “in use” compressed gas cylinder is defined as one of the following:

a) A cylinder delivering gas by means of a connected regulator or

through a manifold

b) A reserve cylinder for the cylinder

MAQ of Gases “In Use” within a Laboratory Unit


Chapter 6 - Compressed and

Liquefied Gases

Non-sprinkler Non-sprinkler +

Gas Cabinet

(60 min fire

rated)

Sprinkler Sprinkler + Gas

Cabinet

(30 min fire

rated)

Sprinkler + Gas

Cabinet

(30 min fire

rated)

Not allowedMAQ of gases x

1

MAQ of gases x

2

MAQ of gases x

2

MAQ of gases x

4

24

Multiplication Factor for MAQ of Gases

Cylinder Operating Pressure (barg)

20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 20010 100

Cyl

ind

er

Vo

lum

e (

L)

2

3

4

5

6

7

89

20

30

40

50

60

70

8090

200

1

10

100108Gas cylinders that have the

pressure and cylinder volume

combinations which fall under

the shaded area shall be

allowed to be placed outside

fire rated safety cabinets in

laboratories without sprinkler

protection.


Chapter 7: Capacity Limit vs Chemical

Containers 1. Different type & sizes of chemicals containers used in labs

2. Larger container + breakable material + high flashpoint -> higher

risk of large spill and fire spread

3. Maximum container capacity for each category shall comply to the

Table 2 below:

25

Type of

Container

Cat 1(FP <230C,BP≤350C)

Cat 2(FP <230C,BP>350C)

Cat 3230C<FP≤600C

Cat 4600C<FP≤930C

Glass 0.5L* 1.0L* 5.0L 20.0L

Metal or

Approved

Plastic#

5.0L 20.0L 20.0L 20.0L

Safety Cans 10.0L 20.0L 20.0L 20.0L

*Glass container up to 4L is permitted for Cat 1 & 2 subjected to risk assessment

#Recommended by manufacturer of flammable liquid for purpose of storage


Chapter 7: Secondary Containment

1. For storage, liquid chemical shall be provided with a secondary

containment to contain chemical spills.

2. Capacity of secondary containment shall be 10% of the total

volume of chemical stored within the containment tray or volume of

the largest container whichever is higher

26


Options (for storage 20L chemical container)

1. Use smaller capacity chemical

container

2. Store in purpose-built chemical

store and kept in secondary

container

3. Store in flammable safety cabinet

with in-built containment sump. No

container should be placed within

the sump (to prevent

displacement).

27


Options (for storage 20L chemical container)

4. Store in secondary

container that can

capture 20L spill (taking

into account the

displaced quantity)

5. Secondary container with

spill tray

28


Chapter 7: Safety cabinet constructions

29

1. The cabinet construction shall be of

non-combustible material with:

a. min 10 minutes fire rating – lab with fire

sprinkler system

b. min 30 minutes fire rating – lab w/o fire

sprinkler system

2. A ventilation duct for flammable cabinet

is not required.

3. If a ventilation duct is installed, it shall

be constructed in accordance to:

a. NFPA 30 including Annex A (Explanatory

Material) and

b. made of non-combustible material (e.g.

steel).


How Can You Help?

Typical Project Development Process

30

PlanningDesign

DevelopmentConstruction Handover Operation

Towards A

Safe &

Efficient

Laboratory

Prevention through Design

1. Eliminate hazards during design process

2. Substitute / reduce hazardous materials,

processes and equipment

3. “Design in” engineering control to

minimize hazard


Path Forward….

31

Standard Development – End Jul 2017

Public Consultation

- Aug to Sept 2017

Deliberation of Comments – End Oct 2017

Final Approval – Nov 2017

Launch of Standard – Feb 2018


HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

1. SPRING Singapore will release a notification that the

draft standard is out for public comments

2. Comments can be submitted via

a. SPRING Singapore’s website [http://www.spring.gov.sg]

b. Stakeholder dialogue session

32


THANK

YOU

33

setting a standard on fire safety in...

Documents