Lab Fire Safety

There are many different aspects of lab fire safety. From preventative measures to what to do should a fire occur. Knowing what to do in an emergency situation is crucial. It is important to follow safety guidelines when working in a lab.

Prevention/Solution

• An important aspect of fire safety is prevention. Many accidents are a direct result of being careless or poor planning. Properly storing chemicals, keeping clutter to a minimum, cleaning often, dressing appropriately and understanding the proper use of equipment are all ways to help prevent mishaps in the lab.

Preparation

• After doing all you can to prevent an accident from happening, take the necessary steps to prepare for anything that may go wrong. It is a good idea to have a written plan on what to do if an emergency occurs. Make yourself aware of the locations of all exits, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, telephones and first-aid kits.

Fire

• If a fire breaks out in the lab, quickly alert others in the area as well as an emergency team. Make sure to evacuate the area should the flames be to out of hand to extinguish. Also, try to isolate the problem by closing doors to the area. Only try to fight the flames if you're not putting yourself at great risk.

Extinguishers

• There are different types of fires and there are different kinds of extinguishers. It is important to do research on the best extinguisher for your lab. Remember that a fire extinguisher is a first-response tool and that it will not control a big fire. If you are unsure of your ability to extinguish the fire, evacuate the area.

Additional Safety Tips

• Other ways to ensure lab safety is to make sure that any hazardous materials in the lab are listed in association with the MSDS collection. The supplier, manufacturer or distributor of the chemical should also be listed along with the chemical name. Including the DOT Hazard class and DFPA ratings of hazardous chemicals will allow emergency responders to know how to handle the situation.