Setting A Standard on Fire Safety in Laboratories

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1 ASCEL 2017 Setting A Standard on Fire Safety in Laboratories Presented by Hairulnizam Ishak, Senior Safety & Health Manager National University of Singapore

2 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

3 Outline of Presentation 1. Background 2. Overview of Standard 3. Key Requirements in the Standard 4. Path Forward 3

4 Headlines from Lab Fires & Explosion Mar Link Dec Link Oct Link 4

5 Safety Cost If You Think Safety Is Expensive. Try An Accident! 5

6 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 laboratories Jan Link 6

7 Nature of Laboratories in Singapore Research & Development Industrial Support Services Institute of Higher Learning Healthcare Commercial Analytical Services 7

8 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

9 Compatibility within Singapore context Adopt & Adapt Best Practices Right balance between Safety vs Cost 3 Key Principles Standard Development 9

10 Composition of Working Group Convenor Co-Convenor Secretariat Working Group (WG) Members 11

11 Base Standards NFPA45:2015 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals NFPA55:2013 Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code 12

12 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

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

Floor Size = 1200m 2 *Total MAQ for Liquid = 1000L Floor Size = 1200m 2

14 What is Laboratory Unit An enclosed space by a fire compartment 500L 500L 500L 400L 400L 400L 400L Floor Size = 1200m 2 *Total MAQ for Liquid = 500L Floor Size = 1200m 2 *Total MAQ for Liquid = 1000L Floor Size = 1200m 2 *Total MAQ for Liquid = 1600L *Based on Cat B Lab Unit, Unsprinklered and Level 1 16

15 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 Higher classification -> Higher MAQ -> More stringent design requirements 17

16 Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) for Flammable Liquid Category Hazard Level Occupancy Type MAQ per lab unit (L) A High Industrial (Oil & Gas Plant) B Moderate All except healthcare occupancy Up to 800 (2000)* Up to 750 (1000)* C Low All Up to 250 (500)* D Minimal All Up to 10L *(SPRINKLER PROTECTED LAB) 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. 18

17 Chapter 2 - Laboratory Unit Design and Construction Construction Requirements for Laboratory Units Floor Level Size of Lab Unit Minimum fire rating (hour) per fire compartment > 24m habitable floor height 1000m 2 2 (sprinkler required) Above 3 rd storey and not more Any Size 1 (2 for non-sprinkler) than 24m habitable floor height 2 3 Any Size 1 (2 for non-sprinkler) 1 Any Size 1 (2 for non-sprinkler) B1 1000m 2 2 (sprinkler required) B2 1000m 2 2 (sprinkler required) Not Permissible 19

MAQ Limitation for Liquid & Gas Other Conditions 1. Basement levels and floors higher than 24m habitable floor height shall be sprinkler protected 2. Max.

18 MAQ Limitation for Liquid & Gas 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 (SPRINKLER PROTECTED LAB) 20

19 Why Quantity Threshold Is Important Mike Kehoe, FDNY Ladder 28 WTC Tower One, 9/11/

Chapter 4 Explosion Protection Aim at protecting occupants within and outside the laboratory that is considered to contain explosion hazard.

20 Chapter 4 Explosion Protection Aim at protecting occupants within and outside the laboratory that is considered to contain explosion hazard. Provide explosion protection measures by one or more of the following: 1. Limit amount of chemicals 2. Special preventive or protective measures (e.g. sprinklers, equipment enclosure etc) 3. Explosion resistant wall around lab work area 4. Remote control of equipment 5. Explosion vent 6. Conduct experiment in isolated location Explosion vent 22

21 Chapter 6 MAQ for Compressed and Liquefied Gases MAQ of Gases In Use within a Laboratory Unit Material Class In use Examples Flammable gas Gaseous 28.3 m 3 5 x H 2 cylinders (30L) Liquefied 15 kg 3 x 4.5kg LPG cylinders Inert gas Gaseous No Limit - Liquefied No Limit - Oxidizing gas Gaseous 42.5 m 3 7 x O 2 cylinders (50L) Liquefied 68 kg 3 x O 2 Dewar cylinders (20kg) 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 23

22 Chapter 6 - Compressed and Liquefied Gases Multiplication Factor for MAQ of 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 allowed MAQ of gases x 1 MAQ of gases x 2 MAQ of gases x 2 MAQ of gases x 4 Gas 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. Cylinder Volume (L) Cylinder Operating Pressure (barg) 24

23 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: Type of Container Cat 1 (FP <23 0 C,BP 35 0 C) Cat 2 (FP <23 0 C,BP>35 0 C) Cat C<FP 60 0 C Cat C<FP 93 0 C 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 25

24 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

25 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

26 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 1. The cabinet construction shall be of non-combustible material with: a. min 10 minutes fire rating lab with fire sprinkler system b.

27 Chapter 7: Safety cabinet constructions 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). 29

Operation Towards A Safe & Efficient Laboratory Prevention through Design 1.

28 How Can You Help? Typical Project Development Process Planning Design Development Construction 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 30

29 Path Forward. 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

30 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 [ b. Stakeholder dialogue session 32

31 THANK YOU 33

NFPA 45 NFPA 211 NFPA 1600

NFPA 45 NFPA 211 NFPA 1600 Prepared by: William E. Koffel, P.E., FSFPE Expertly Engineering Safety From Fire 1 Objectives Overview of the NFPA process Understand the scope and application of NFPA 45, NFPA