FIRE SAFETY Department of Chemical Engineering College of Engineering
OBJECTIVES Learn the emergency response procedure of DChE for fire Familiarize with the emergency equipment: locations and usage Identify fire hazards in laboratory work area Prevent man-related causes of fire
LABORATORY FIRE Institute of Chemistry Pavillion 2 of Palma Hall June 10, 2010 Organic and Biochemistry Laboratories
FIRE SAFETY MEASURES Fire alarm system Evacuation plan Emergency exits and emergency numbers Fire extinguishers Smoke detector Sprinkler systems
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Know the locations of fire alarm pull stations Ring the alarm in case of fire
EVACUATION PLAN Know the locations of the nearest exit and alternate exits Remain calm during evacuation and proceed to muster area designated for your laboratory Report missing persons to the firefighters Do not attempt to rescue others: you risk being added to the list of missing/casualties
EMERGENCY EXITS Should not be blocked or obstructed Doors should open outwards Can be opened from the inside at all times
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS Bureau of Fire Protection 928-8363 (Quezon City Hall) 924-1922 441-8279 (Libis) 492-7576 (Loyola Heights) 931-9894 (New Era) Philippine National Red Cross (Quezon City) 920-3672 433-2151 to 52 434-3751 University Health Service 9818500 loc 111
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Fire extinguishers use materials that are suitable for some type of fire DChE fire extinguishers use ABC type: A- Wood, paper or trash B- flammable liquids C- electrical fire Not valid for metal or kitchen fires
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS Rooms are equipped with fire extinguishers Usage is P.A.S.S. Pull the pin Aim at the base of fire Squeeze the lever Sweep from side to side Use only for small fires You are not required to fight fire. Remember to ring alarm prior to use.
SMOKE DETECTOR Automatically triggers when smoke is detected Installed in laboratory rooms
SPRINKLER Automatically dispenses water: heat activated Not installed in labs that are expected to have incompatible fire types
Gas burners FIRE HAZARD IDENTIFICATION Heat producing equipment Unsafe electrical practices Oxidizers Compressed gases Flammable liquids
GAS BURNERS Produces open flame that can directly ignite materials Should not be left unattended Turn off such equipment when not in use Look for and close open burners when slight odors are noticed
HEAT PRODUCING EQUIPMENT Possible ignition source Should not be left unattended if the equipment does not have automatic shutdown or other safety measures Turn off such equipment when not in use
Higher load than the circuit is designed for UNSAFE ELECTRICAL PRACTICES May be a possible ignition source Creates electrical fires that must not be doused with water
OXIDIZERS Reactive substances that give off or is oxygen that is needed by fuels to sustain flames. Examples of oxidizers: nitric acid and oxygen These may cause flammable materials to react like explosives
COMPRESSED GAS Gas cylinders may contain gases that are flammable, liquefied or highly oxidizing (supports combustion) Examples of compressed gas: hydrogen, propane and oxygen Use only compatible regulator valves (valves for fuel and oxygen are different); DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE ADAPTERS
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Liquids that give of flammable vapors and easily catch fire. These have flash point data and fuel-air ratio data. Examples of these: ethanol, methanol, glacial acetic acid, hexane and acetone
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS STORAGE CABINET Location for storing flammable liquid. These should be placed away from ignition sources Should not be directly ventilated outside
REFERENCE Bureau of Fire Protection: http://bfp.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/fire- SAFETY-ENFORCEMENT2012.pdf NFPA 45: Fire Protection for Laboratories using Chemicals
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
BASIC TIPS Pull the plug, not the cord: pulling at the cord may damage it and/or possibly cause a shock Don t break the ground prong of the plug: it s there for a reason (and it isn t to cause inconvenience you) Eliminate octopus connections: these connections may overload the max AMP rating of the outlet Know the location of circuit breakers Do not use outlets or cords that are visibly damaged
EXTENSION CORDS Not for permanent wiring Prevent contact with heat, water or oil Do not overload (make sure that the total power requirement of connected devices and equipment are within the specified wattage output) Do not allow these to be stumbling hazards Do not tie in tight knots
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Turn off the power supply of the outlet or equipment causing the emergency Do not attempt to directly touch the person; Use insulated materials to put him/her to safety
REFERENCE Canadian Centre for Occupational Safety and Health 3