Guidance Note GN 025
Controlling Fire Risks in Laboratory Areas
January 2002
The purpose of this guidance note is to outline the fire hazards associated with laboratory areas and offer recommendations as to how risks may be eliminated or controlled. The note should be used to assist in the completion of fire risk assessments using the standard Safety Unit form: Fire Risk Assessment for Laboratory Areas (issued January 2002). The basic principles of risk assessment are outlined in the HSE leaflet: Five steps to risk assessment (INDG 163).
STEP 1. Identification of fire hazards - the fire triangle
Fuel, oxygen and a source of ignition are the three elements required for a fire to start. Taking steps to avoid the three coming together will therefore reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring. You will need to identify the various sources of fuel, oxygen and ignition that may be present in your laboratory area. Typical examples are given below:
Sources of fuel
· flammable liquids - ethanol, acetone and a whole range of other solvents.
· flammable gases e.g. hydrogen, acetylene.
· flammable solid chemicals.
· carbonaceous materials - wood (benches, furniture), paper (tissues, books and office paperwork), cardboard (boxes), foam and plastics (packing materials, contents of upholstered furniture), textiles (clothing, curtains), animal bedding materials.
Sources of ignition
· naked flames e.g. bunsen burners.
· hot surfaces e.g. hotplates.
· faulty or misused electrical equipment (extension leads are a particular hazard and have caused fires in the past).
· radiant or other types of heaters.
· lighting equipment e.g. halogen lamps
· obstruction of equipment ventilation (e.g. materials stored up against vents of fridges and centrifuges).
· machinery.
· friction.
· excess static electricity.
Less likely sources of ignition, but those that still warrant a mention are: cigarettes and matches (smoking is banned in all laboratories) and arson.
Sources of oxygen
· natural airflow.
· excessive air movements caused by air handling systems.
· oxygen supplies - cylinders and / or piped.
· oxidising chemicals e.g. organic peroxides.
STEP 2. Identification of people who may be at risk
Maintenance staff, cleaners etc. are occasional visitors to laboratories but those at greatest risk are the laboratory workers themselves. You will need to consider whether you have any staff with disabilities (physical or mental impairment) who may need special assistance.
STEP 3. Evaluation of existing control measures - are they adequate or does more need to be done?
If you have answered ‘no’ to any of the questions in Part 3 of the risk assessment form, it is likely that action will be necessary:
Flammable liquids
Need to be properly stored in a fire rated, lockable metal cabinet preferably with an integral spill tray. Cabinets should bear appropriate signage and the doors kept closed. Storage of excess quantities of solvents in laboratory areas should be avoided and flammable liquids should be stored on their own. Flammable liquids should not be stored in fridges unless the fridge is sparkproof. Flammables should be handled in well ventilated areas (preferably a fume cupboard) and containers should be kept closed except when in use. Some sites may have dedicated outside solvent stores for larger quantities to be housed. Waste solvents should be disposed regularly via an approved route. Fume cupboards should not be used as storage areas.
Flammable gases
Need to be properly secured (chained or strapped). Suitable steel storage cabinets should be considered if appropriate. It is essential that regulators and accessories are suitable for the purpose, undergo user checks and annual maintenance / inspection. This should be in a systematic way with suitable record keeping - checklist formats are acceptable. Regulators should be dated (this can sometimes be determined from the code imprinted on the back) and replaced after five years service. Leak testing is particularly important where flammable gases are concerned. More information on regulator safety may be found in the Safety Unit guidance note: Safe Handling, Use and Storage of Compressed Gases.
Other chemicals that may constitute a fire hazard should also be considered.
Training
Users of flammable liquids, gases and other chemicals should be familiar with the properties of the materials that they are required to handle and should receive suitable training and possibly supervision.
Training should be a combination of competence training conducted within the department and attendance at formal training courses such as those on fire, chemical and gas safety conducted periodically by the Safety Unit.
Segregation of combustible materials from sources of heat
Good housekeeping is an important issue here. Keep laboratories tidy and do not accumulate unnecessary quantities of combustible materials. Prevent the build up of rubbish. Avoid the use of naked flames wherever possible. If bunsens have to be used ensure that they are kept well away from flammable materials e.g. do not situate them immediately below shelves stocked with tissues etc. Do not leave them lit and unattended. Don’t allow paper to flop onto hotplates; don’t stack cardboard and packing materials behind fridges and other equipment. Consider the unusual as well as the routine - e.g. the possibility that maintenance workers may need to periodically carry out work in laboratories which may introduce additional sources of ignition - ensure permit-to-work systems are enforced. Ensure that the no-smoking policy is enforced. Secure laboratories reduce the risk of unauthorised entry and arson.
Closing doors and windows, particularly outside working hours, and shutting down non essential ventilation systems will reduce the potential source of oxygen supply to a fire. Do not store oxidising chemicals and flammables together. Correct use and storage of oxygen cylinders will reduce the likelihood of oxygen leaking and ‘sweetening’ the atmosphere.
Portable appliance testing (PAT)
All electrical equipment should be tested at suitable intervals (see Guidance Note 019: Portable Electrical Appliance Testing - PAT). Avoid the use of extension leads wherever possible - arrange for additional sockets to be installed if there are not enough. If extension leads must be used, ensure that they have been tested and that they are not overloaded. Avoid curling up exceptionally long extension leads since this can lead to build up of electrical resistance and hence heat. Do not use two way adaptors under any circumstances.
Fire detection and warning
New or refurbished laboratories may have automatic fire detection systems installed - other laboratories may not. If detection systems are installed in laboratories then maintenance should be carried out centrally, but you should be aware of what system is in place and able to check that it is operating as it should. In small laboratories, where fire is unlikely to cut off the escape route and all exits are visible and the travel distances small, it is likely that any fire will be detected quickly by those present. It is quite acceptable for a warning to be raised verbally, simply by shouting ‘fire!’. Fire call points are normally located in corridors rather than laboratories.
Fire alarms must be audible from all parts of the laboratory. If this is not the case then the issue should be reported to Estates immediately. Staff must also be able to recognise the alarm. Alarms are often ‘two stage’, with an intermediate ring for standby / testing and a continuous ring for full evacuation.
If there are any staff who suffer from impaired hearing, then someone may need to be given the responsibility of alerting the individual concerned.
Means of escape
Keep all routes to the exits from the laboratory free of obstruction. Again, good housekeeping is essential. Emergency escape lighting is normally reserved for corridors and stairwells and is not usually installed in laboratories since it is assumed that workers will be familiar with their immediate environment and should be able to reach the door quickly, even in reduced visibility. Ensure that all laboratory workers know what action to take in the event of a fire - this information should be given to new employees on their first day in the job.
Fire fighting equipment
Fire extinguishers should be located either within the laboratory near the exit or nearby in the corridor.
They should be appropriate to the type of fire that could occur:
Type of Fire / Extinguisher / Colour Code*Class A (solid organic materials - wood, paper etc.) / Water
Foam / Red
Cream
Class B ( liquids or liquefiable solids) / Foam
CO2
Dry powder / Cream
Black
Blue
Class C (gases) / Dry powder / Blue
Electrical fires / CO2 / Black
*older extinguishers have the body painted in the relevant colour - new extinguishers conforming to BSEN3 Pt.5 all have red bodywork with the colour code incorporated into the section used to provide the operating instructions. Both types of extinguisher are in use within the College - ensure that you do not confuse them.
Other types of fire fighting equipment such as fire blankets or, more rarely, sprinkler systems may be present.
Staff should receive periodic training in the use of fire fighting equipment - check the Safety Unit training calendar to determine when and where courses are being held.
All fire fighting equipment should be subject to suitable maintenance procedures. This is normally carried out centrally within the College. You can check when an extinguisher was last tested by looking for this information on the label on the body of the extinguisher. All extinguishers should have a test date within the last year - if this is not the case, notify Estates.
STEP 4. Record the findings
The risk assessment form represents a record of your findings. You should file it in a safe place and be able to produce it when required. Part 4 of the form enables all actions to be noted and completion dates recorded. You should communicate all your finding to the occupants of the laboratories.
STEP 5. Review the assessment
Risk assessments will not remain valid for ever - there will invariably be changes to equipment, substances, physical layout etc. therefore you should review your assessment periodically. You are not, however, required to amend your assessment for every trivial change which may occur. The front page of the assessment form enables you to record the dates of any subsequent reviews.
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