Fire Experience

1
Fire Experience

• Small bench top fires are typical and not
  uncommon.
• Fire is the most common serious hazard that one
  faces in a typical chemistry laboratory. While
  proper procedure and training can minimize the
  chances of an accidental fire, you must still be
  prepared to deal with a fire emergency should it
  occur.
• Labs with a high fuel load have a high potential
  for flash fires, explosions, rapid spread of fire
  and high toxicity of combustion products.

2
Prevention

• Plan your work. Most lab fires result from
  carelessness!
• Minimize materials. Have present only the
  materials necessary.
• Observe proper housekeeping.

• Store solvents properly.
• Keep flammables in explosion-proof refrigerator.
• Dont block automatic door closures.
• Wear proper clothing and hair styles.

3
Why is hair style important?
Great!
Terrible!
4
What about the doors?

• Automatic door closures cannot be propped open!
  If your door is broken-call Maintenance and/or
  Safety to report the broken door.

5
Flammables

• Store away from corrosives and oxidizers
• Maximum amount in any lab is 50L.
• All containers holding flammables must be labeled
  as such.
• Dont put flammable storage cabinets near door.
• Keep away from bunsen burners

6
Combustibles

• Practice good housekeeping- dont keep
  unnecessary paper and boxes in lab.
• No combustibles (paper, cardboard or plastic) may
  be kept in any corridor.

7
LSO Fire Monitor Duties

• Know the fire procedure (pull-call-fight-evacuate)
  
• Ensure that all lab members know the fire
  procedure and the location of emergency equipment
• Arrange for a designated place to meet lab group
• When a Code Red sounds- respond. If there is a
  call to evacuate- assist in getting lab group to
  evacuate to stairs.

8
Dont Panic!

• In a fire, most people die from gas inhalation
  and smoke. The majority of the time, people
  panic and forget what to do. Keep calm.

9
Learn from the Past...

• During the year 2000- there was only one serious
  fire situation.
• During some microbiology work, a plastic
  container of ethanol caught fire.
• The container melted, causing the lit ethanol to
  spread.
• The biggest problem was when to pull the alarm,
  before or after fighting the fire- tough decision!

• The problems encountered
• Fire alarm was not pulled immediately.
• Security was called instead of x2-3232
• Security came up instead of pulling alarm and
  calling fire !

10
Using Fire Extinguishers

• You are not required to fight a fire. Ever. If
  you have the slightest doubt about your control
  of the situation DO NOT FIGHT THE FIRE.
• Attempt to use an extinguisher only if ALL of the
  following apply
• The building is being evacuated (fire alarm has
  been pulled)
• The fire department is being called (x2-3232).
• The fire is small, contained and not spreading
  beyond its starting point.
• The exit is clear, there is no imminent peril and
  you can fight the fire with your back to the
  exit.
• You can stay low and avoid smoke.
• The proper extinguisher is immediately at hand.
• You have read the instructions and know how to
  use the extinguisher.
• IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MET,
  DON'T FIGHT THE FIRE YOURSELF. CALL FOR HELP,
  PULL THE FIRE ALARM AND LEAVE THE AREA.

11
The 3 Types of Fires

• The type of fire corresponds to the type of
  extinguisher
• Class A - Ordinary Combustibles
• Such as wood and paper
• Class B - Flammable Liquids
• Such as gasoline and alcohol
• Class C - Electrical Fires
• Includes power panels, computers

12
If You Are Going To Fight...

• If you have any doubt about your personal safety,
  or if you can not extinguish a fire, leave
  immediately and close off the area (close the
  doors, but DO NOT lock them). Leave the building
  but contact a firefighter, or safety or security
  to relay whatever information you have about the
  fire.
• Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher.
• Stand several feet from the fire, depress the
  handle and sweep back and forth towards the fire.
  
• Do not walk on an area that you have
  "extinguished" in case the fire reignites or the
  extinguisher runs out!
• Remember you usually can't expect more than 1
  minute of extinguishing power on a typical fire
  extinguisher.
• Practice using a fire extinguisher beforehand.
• Direct the extinguisher at the base of the flames
  until the fire is completely out.

13
Im On Fire!

• If your clothing is on fire (and the floor is
  not), STOP, DROP and ROLL on the ground to
  extinguish the flames. If you are within a few
  feet of a safety shower or fire blanket, you can
  use these instead, but do not try to make it
  "just down the hall" if you are on fire.
• If one of your coworkers catches fire and runs
  down the hallway in panic, tackle them and
  extinguish their clothing.