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Safety

Fire Safety

Fire safety in the clinical laboratory requires a disciplined approach combining rapid reflex protocols, technical knowledge of combustion, and the mastery of suppression equipment. Because laboratories house a unique mix of flammable solvents, high-voltage electronics, and compressed gases, the potential for rapid fire escalation is high. Safety management relies on three pillars: Response, Classification, and Equipment

Response Protocols

The universal response to a fire is governed by the acronym R.A.C.E., which prioritizes life safety over property protection

  • R (Rescue): Immediately assist anyone in direct danger to evacuate the area
  • A (Alarm): Activate the manual pull station and call the emergency number (e.g., Code Red)
  • C (Contain): Close all doors and windows to starve the fire of oxygen and prevent smoke spread. Close fume hood sashes
  • E (Extinguish/Evacuate): Only attempt to extinguish if the fire is small and you have a clear exit path. Otherwise, evacuate to the assembly area

Classes of Fire

Fires are categorized by their fuel source. Identifying the class is critical because using the wrong extinguishing agent can be fatal (e.g., water on an electrical fire)

  • Class A (Ash): Ordinary combustibles like paper, wood, and plastic
  • Class B (Barrel): Flammable liquids like xylene, ethanol, and gasoline
  • Class C (Current): Energized electrical equipment like analyzers and centrifuges
  • Class D (Dynamite): Combustible metals like magnesium or sodium
  • Class K (Kitchen): Cooking oils and grease

Fire Safety Equipment

The laboratory is equipped with specific tools to detect and suppress fires based on these classes

  • Fire Alarms: The system uses heat/smoke detectors to trigger audible horns and visual strobes. It automatically shuts down HVAC and releases magnetic fire doors to compartmentalize the building
  • Fire Extinguishers: Portable devices operated using the P.A.S.S. technique (Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side-to-side)
    • Water (APW): For Class A only
    • Carbon Dioxide (CO2): For Class B/C. Leaves no residue; safe for electronics
    • Dry Chemical (ABC): Multi-purpose powder. Effective but messy and corrosive
  • Fire Blankets: Fiberglass sheets used primarily to smother fires on people (Stop, Drop, and Roll) or small container fires. They work by cutting off oxygen without using damaging chemicals