Laboratory Safety Manual
Section 3
Fire Safety

Introduction

Both flammable and combustible materials are commonplace in most Duke laboratories. It is for this reason, that all laboratory employees should be aware of the risks in their work spaces and understand how to respond appropriately should a fire occur. Employees who take the time to familiarize themselves with the location of safety devices (i.e., fire extinguishers, pull alarms, safety showers, fire blankets, etc.) and proper route of egress before an accident occurs, are more likely to respond to an emergency situation in a calm and efficient manner.

As a rule, Duke employees are encouraged to implement the RACE acronym in the case of a fire. RACE
is defined as the following:

Safe Handling of Flammable Chemicals
Laboratory personnel should know the properties of individual chemicals with which they work. The more familiar one becomes with a chemical, the more likely he/she is to handle the chemical in a prudent manner. There are numerous safety resources available to all employees who may have questions regarding a particular chemical. If developed appropriately, the laboratory’s chemical hygiene plan should contain written standard operating procedures for those chemicals that pose a fire risk in the laboratory. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are available through the OESO, as is consultation on safety practices for particular chemicals. The following are several practices which should always be implemented when handling flammable chemicals:
 

Defining Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Flammable Liquids
Any liquid having a flash point below 100°F and having a vapor pressure exceeding 2068.6 mm Hg (40 psia) at 100°F.
Class IA — flash point below 73°F and B.P. at or below 100°F
Class IB — flash point below 73°F and B.P. above 100°F
Class IC — flash point at or above 73°F, but below 100°F

Combustible Liquids
Any liquid having a flash point at or above 100°F
Class II — flash point at or above 100°F, but below 140°F.
Class IIIA — flash point at or above 140°F, but below 200°F.
Class IIIB — flash point at or above 200°F.
 

NFPA System for Classification of Hazards

The NFPA diamond is a symbol used to identify the hazards associated with a given chemical to rescue workers. Frequently this symbol is found on the sides of buildings where chemicals are stored and on chemical containers. Below are shown the various hazards symbolized by the diamond and the numerical code which indicates the severity of the hazard. Class IA & IB flammable liquids have an NFPA Fire Hazard rating of 4. Class IC flammable liquids are rated as 3. Combustible liquids are rated as 1, or 2.
 

HEALTH HAZARD 4 — Deadly 3 — Extreme Danger 2 — Hazardous 1 — Slightly Hazardous	FIRE HAZARD Flash Points: 4 — Below 73° F 3 — Below 100° F 2 — Above 100 F°, Not Exceeding 200° F 1 — Above 200° F 0 — Will not burn
SPECIFIC HAZARD Oxidizer OX Acid ACID Alkali ALK Corrosive CORR Use NO WATER Radioactive	REACTIVITY 4 — May detonate 3 — Shock and heat may detonate 2 — Violent chemical change 1 — Unstable if heated 0 — Stable

NFPA Fire Hazard Ratings of Some Common Laboratory Chemicals
 

Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids Outside of Flammable Storage Cabinets

The maximum quantity of Class I Flammable Liquids outside an approved storage cabinet shall not exceed 2 gallons per 100 square feet of laboratory space.

The combined maximum quantity of Class I, II and III Flammable Liquids and Combustibles outside an approved storage cabinet shall not exceed 5 gallons per 100 square feet of laboratory space.

Chemical containers, not actively being used, should not be stored in the work area of chemical fume hoods. Too much clutter can disrupt air-flow patterns and potentially compromise worker protection.

Storage of Flammable Liquids in Refrigerators and Freezers

Per an enforcement directive from the City of Durham Fire Marshal, all laboratory refrigerators and freezers must be labeled to indicate whether or not they are suitable for storing flammable liquids.

Refrigerators and freezers utilized throughout the University, Hospital, and Medical Center generally fall within the following three categories:

1. Those designed to store flammable liquids with all electrical equipment that meets Class I, Division I requirements.

2. Those that have been modified by a licensed electrician to meet the Class I, Division I requirements.

3. Those “residential-types” that cannot be utilized to store flammable liquids, but are used to store other chemicals or laboratory reagents.

Those refrigerators and freezers which fall into either category 1 or 2 will require a blue and white label which states that the device is approved for flammable storage. Those which fall into category 3 will require a red and white label be affixed which states that the appliance is not approved for flammable storage.

To request aid in identifying the category in which an appliance falls, contact the OESO Fire Safety
Division at 684-5609.

Classes of Fires

Class A fires are those which involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper or cloth. These fires should be extinguished by using a dry chemical extinguisher. Water is effective in extinguishing these type fires, however, water extinguishers are rarely found in the Medical Center.

Class B fires are those which involve flammable liquids, gases, oil, paint and greases. Either dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguishers should be used to extinguish these type fires. Note: flammable
liquids may re-ignite after being extinguished. DO NOT USE WATER!

Class C fires are those which involve electricity. Either dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguishers should be used to extinguish these type fires. DO NOT USE WATER!

Class D fires are those which involve combustible metals such as magnesium or sodium. Water can  react with sodium and other alkali metals explosively, therefore DO NOT USE WATER! Also understand that CO2 extinguishers are unlikely to be able to contain a Class D fire.

Fire Extinguishers

There are three basic types of portable fire extinguishers found throughout the Medical Center and University. These include dry chemical, carbon dioxide and halotron extinguishers. These devices are to be used to extinguish small or beginning fires. All new employees are given the opportunity to operate a fire extinguisher during new employee orientation. Any employee wishing to operate an extinguisher
should contact the OESO Fire Safety Division at 684-5609.

CO 2 Fire Extinguishers

The carbon dioxide extinguisher is rated to extinguish Class B and C fires. The carbon dioxide is in the extinguisher as a liquid under pressure, and is discharged as a gas. Extinguishing is accomplished by removing the oxygen from the fire. Carbon dioxide is a “clean” agent which will evaporate and leave no residue.

Dry Chemical Extinguishers

Dry chemical extinguishers are intended for use on Class A, B or C fires. Best results are obtained by attacking the near edge of the fire and progressing forward, moving the nozzle rapidly with a side-to-side
sweeping motion. Discharge should be continued after flames are extinguished (especially on Class A fires) to prevent possible re-ignition.

Halotron Extinguishers

Halotron is a clean fire extinguishing agent which is a safe and environmentally acceptable replacement for halon 1211. Halotron, which is discharged as a liquid which rapidly evaporates, will be used throughout many patient care areas.

Class D Fire Extinguishers

These types of fire extinguishers are rarely used in the Medical Center and University. Laboratories using potentially flammable metals should contact the Fire Safety Division at 684-5609 for information about getting a Class D extinguisher. Extinguishers for Class D fires must match the type of metal that is burning. Usually a list of metals for which the extinguisher is appropriate is shown on the extinguisher’s labeling. Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals recommends the use of Met-L-X(,or Met-L-Kyl) extinguishers.

All employees should be familiar with the location of extinguishers in his or her work area. In order to operate an extinguisher appropriately, one should implement the PASS acronym which stands for:

Fire Drills

Fire drills are conducted in all University, Hospital and Medical Center buildings by OESO Fire Safety on a routine basis. If your laboratory hasn’t participated in a complete evacuation drill in the past year, contact Fire Safety at 684-5609 to schedule a drill in your area.

Site-Specific Fire Plan

Each laboratory should develop a site-specific contingency plan in the event of a fire. The following template is to be completed as accurately as possible and returned to the Fire Safety Division at Box 90427. Once reviewed and approved, the plan will be mailed back to the laboratory. The completed
plan should be placed in an area where it is easily accessible by all laboratory personnel.
 

Site Specific Fire Safety Plan
(Give Exact Name of Lab or Clinic)
 

The ___________________________ adheres to the general Hospital/Medical Center OESO Fire Safety policy as found in the Duke University & Medical Center Safety Manual. All personnel are responsible for the knowledge and compliance with Policy as well as their departmental specific Policy described below.

1. Specific roles and responsibilities for personnel who are in the area of and away from a fire’s point of origin;

• The laboratory is located in the ______________________ Building, room(s) ______________.
• 
   
• There are __________________________________ exits from the laboratory which are located _______________________________________________________________________________
• 
   
• The evacuation plan for the laboratory is located ____________________________________ .
• 
   
• The department’s specific zone is ____________________ .

The fire point is the area where the alarm is activated. Medical Center buildings use standard fire alarm systems that produce an audible tone (horn, bell etc.). All staff members are expected to respond to fire drills in their area and to assist visitors, volunteers, or physicians who may not be accustomed to drills in this area. Personnel in the area of the fire’s point of origin must follow the steps outlined in the R.A.C.E. procedures.

R = Remove all persons in immediate danger to safety. This includes patients, visitors, students, or employees.
A = Activate manual pull station/dial 911.
C = Close all doors, windows to prevent the spread of smoke and fire.
E = Extinguish the fire.
 

• All staff are trained to use the pull stations located in the following areas.
• All staff are trained to use the extinguishers located in the following areas.
• The fire will need to be contained until the arrival of the fire department personnel. This can be accomplished by closing doors . The fire can be suppressed using the fire extinguishers located in the immediate area.
• Employees are also expected to use the P.A.S.S. procedure when extinguishing the fire.
• 
   

   

  P = Pull the pin on the extinguisher
  A = Aim at the base of the fire
  S = Squeeze the handles together
  S = Sweep the fire from side to side
   

• All staff know the locations of oxygen and gas supply cut off valves, which are located ______________________________________________________________.

2. The use and function of the fire alarm system and life safety system

There are many types of alarms utilized in the Medial Center buildings . Manual pull stations, smoke detectors, heat detectors and water-flow indicators are some examples of these. Activation of any of these alarms in any part of the building sends a signal to _________________________________.
All alarms transmitted to are then transmitted to __________________________________ are then  transmitted to _______________________________________________________________________ .

Employees should know the basic function of the following fire alarm components:

Smoke detectors — A device that senses visible or invisible particles of combustion (smoke).

Heat detectors — A device that senses a change in temperature above a fixed setting (usually 135
degrees).

Manual pull station — A device that personnel use to activate the fire alarm/life safety system.

Sprinkler tamper switch — A device used to detect that the water supply has been closed.

Water-flow alarm — A device used to detect any flow of water from a sprinkler system.

Sprinkler system — A suppression system employing automatic sprinklers attached to a piping system containing water and connected to a water supply so that water discharges immediately from sprinklers opened by heat from a fire.

Smoke damper — An automatically closing device used to stop the movement of smoke through a duct penetration of a required fire wall or smoke wall.

Duct detectors — A smoke detector located in ducts for the purpose of fan shutdown in the presence
of smoke.

Activation of the building fire alarm will require the immediate evacuation of the facility.

3. The roles and responsibilities in preparing for building evacuation.

Patients that are unable to walk will be transported by wheelchair and /or beds. The ambulatory patients will be led as a group to a safe area (area of refuge).

Specific duties of personnel in the department:

• All staff will use the R.A.C.E. to evacuate patients and themselves.
• All personnel will know all exits that can be used for evacuation. Evacuation plans should be consulted
• to pre-determine the location of these exits. The best route will have to be determined at the time, considering the location of the fire.
• Medically and physically challenged persons should be moved by the nursing staff in nursing areas. Medically and physically challenged employees, in non-nursing areas, should be covered under the Duke University Policy for Medically and Physically Challenged Individuals. Currently there are/are no Physically or Medically challenged individuals employed at this location. (In the event someone were hired that meets the criteria of this policy it would be consulted and a specific policy for that individual implemented.)

The predetermined area(s) of refuge for this area is ___________________________________________ .

The procedure for moving medically and physically challenged employees is
_____________________________________________________________________________________.
DO NOT USE ELEVATORS FOR EVACUATION!

4. The location and proper use of equipment for transporting patients to the area of refuge and for building evacuation. (Not needed in non-patient care area)

• Wheelchairs located in the front lobby (2) and the Pediatric Clinic(1).
• If life support or emergency transport is needed the Durham EMS will be called at 911.

5. The procedures personnel must follow to contain smoke and fire through building compartmentalization procedures:

Fire walls and fire doors are designed and constructed with a specific fire resistance rating to limit the spread of fire and restrict the spread of smoke. Smoke walls and smoke doors are designed and  constructed to restrict the movement of smoke. Smoke walls and smoke doors may or may not have a fire resistance rating. Doors are instrumental in the containment of smoke or fire. ALL doors must be closed and any equipment in the corridors will be moved.

_______________________________ Dept. Mgr./Dir. ________________ Approval by Safety Committee

References:
Fire Protection; 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L
North Carolina Building Code, Vol V, Fire Prevention; 1998
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards
 

Last Updated: January 24, 2001
Safety@mc.duke.edu