Image of the Searle Laboratory Fire in Stokie, Illinois of 1977.
Housekeeping:
Areas in the laboratory must be kept clean at all times. Chemicals, especially any liquids, must be refrained from being stored on the floor, except when they are stored in cabinets. Any of these stored items must not be stored in such a way that it blocks fire extinguishers, safety equipment, or any other emergency equipment. The passageways to the emergency equipment must be dry and easily accessed. Any combustibles such as paper, wooden material, etc. must not be stored in the hallway to prevent any acceleration of fire activity and to ensure that the pathway is safe to exit in case of an emergency. All storage containers must be labeled to identify the contents and hazards associated with the materials inside.
Fire Extinguishers:
Laboratory works must be trained for any fire hazards that might be associated with the work that is conducted. Any employees who work in the laboratory must be trained for the ability to use a fire extinguisher in a case of an emergency. This type of training is required by OSHA under the 29 CFR 1910. 157 (g) component. Fire extinguishers must be presentable and available for the general view and never blocked from access.
Biosafety Cabinet ruined by a laboratory fire at UC San Diego.
Electrical:
All electrical equipment must be properly grounded and be U. L listed or F. M. approved. There must also be sufficient room for work in the presence of beaker boxes and all circuit breakers and fuses must be labeled correctly for whether they are in the "on" or "off" position. Every electrical cord must be in good and working condition and extension cords are not to be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. These electrical wirings shall not be suspended about any emergency shower or overhead piping. Electrical cords should not be stored where there will be abuse or deterioration of the wire and our facility. This includes storing electrical wiring in holes within walls, under carpet, under other objects, in direct pathways. There shall be no use of multiple outlets unless it has a direct circuit breaker. Without a circuit breaker, it can cause overheating. Amps should never exceed by 15. All electrical standards must be referenced from the NFPA 70 - NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE
Ventilation Hoods:
Ventilation hoods should only be used to perform necessary tasks that are clearly stated. The more equipment there is in the hood, the greater the air turbulence is and the greater the chance of gas escaping the laboratory. Exhaust fans should be spark-proof if preforming exhaustion of flammable vapors in the laboratory and if it can be corrosive resistant if there is handling of the flames.
Other components of fire safety in the laboratory include vacuum operations, explosion-proof refrigerators, flammable-liquid storage cabinets, safety shields, compressed gases, cryogenic liquids, laser fire & explosion hazards, and safety audits,
According to the University of Tennessee's Environmental Health and Safety Program, fire prevention is considered a vital aspect of laboratory safety and requires knowledge and constant vigilance of lab workers.
The steps in fire lab safety include; (1) recognizing hazards, (2) evaluate the space in the laboratory before chemical reactions take place, and (3) protecting workers and employees of the laboratory through PPE and emergency equipment.
There are also 4 classes of fire: class A, B, C, and D. Class A is composed of ordinary combustibles or fibrous material (wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and plastics). Class B is any flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners, and propane. Class C is energized electrical equipment (appliances, switches, panel boxes, and power tools). Class D is certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, and sodium.
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