Well stated. A key point to remember is to be sure there is no flammable liquid spilled on the floor when looking to drop to the floor. It has happened. Cheers! Ray Cook, CIH, CSP ApexHSE.com I Cor 1:18 Sent from my iPhone On Dec 2, 2011, at 4:13 PM, Jeffrey Lewinwrote: I don't have access to official NFPA documents but several safety blogs and at least one (presumably unofficial) reprint of the of Appendix A from "NFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, 2000 Edition" states the following: "A.4.6.3.2 Laboratory personnel should be thoroughly indoctrinated in procedures to follow in cases of clothing fires. The most important instruction, one that should be stressed until it becomes second nature to all personnel, is to immediately drop to the floor and roll. All personnel should recognize that, in case of ignition of another personâ•˙s clothing, they should immediately knock that person to the floor and roll that person around to smother the flames. Too often a person will panic and run if clothing ignites, resulting in more severe, often fatal, burn injuries. Fire-retardant or flame-resistant clothing is one option available to help reduce the occurrence of clothing fires. Refer to NFPA 1975, Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Services, for performance requirements and test methods for fire-resistant clothing. It should be emphasized that use of safety showers, fire blankets, or fire extinguishers are of secondary importance. These items should be used only when immediately at hand. It should be recognized that rolling on the floor not only smothers the fire but also helps to keep flames out of the victimâ•˙s face, reducing inhalation of smoke." Jeff Lewin Departmental Laboratory Supervisor, CHO Biological Sciences Michigan Technological University ----- Original Message ----- From: "McGrath Edward J" To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU Sent: Friday, December 2, 2011 2:03:18 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Use of a fire blanket Dear Dr. Mowery: Iâ•˙m unable to find specific recommendations against using a fire blanket in this manner, but I know Iâ•˙ve heard others mention these dangers. My understanding of proper fire blanket use is 1) To cover a fire in the immediate area before it spreads (if possible) or 2) to wrap up a non-burning person who must evacuate through a danger area (danger of burns). You may want to contact a manufacturer of fire blankets with this question. If the dangers you mention are real, they would know better than anyone to avoid liability of their product. Edward J. McGrath Science Supervisor Red Clay Consolidated School District 1502 Spruce Avenue Wilmington, DE 19805 (302) 552-3768 "Fortune favors the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Barbara Mowery Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 12:46 PM To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU Subject: [DCHAS-L] Use of a fire blanket Good afternoon, I have received the following question from a colleague-your input would be much appreciated. "Hi, I have been receiving emails regarding the dangers associated with using fire blankets and I'm concluding that we should probably not use them to wrap up someone who might be on fire in one of our labs.... Fire blankets are valuable in labs for a variety of purposes. One of those does not happen to be wrapping yourself in them to extinguish your clothing fire. In addition to trapping the heat, the fire blanket creates a chimney effect and directs the hot, toxic gases, and flames into your face, breathing zone and lungs. Whether you go to the shower or not depends on your distance. For anything more than 2-3 steps, please stop, drop, and roll. Someone else can get the blanket and use it to help smother the flames. Then, cool off in the shower. Blankets can also be used for (1) shower modesty curtains, (2) wraps for after the shower, (3) a temporary stretcher, (4)to keep someone warm to avoid shock, (5) a pillow if the victim needs to be on the floor, and (6) to smother other fires." -- Barbara Mowery General Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator Physical Sciences Department York College of Pennsylvania 441 Country Club Road York PA 17403-3651 113 Campbell Hall 717-815-6480 Fax 717-849-1653 This information is intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any review, disclosure, copying, distribution or use of this e-mail communication by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify us immediately by returning this message to the sender and delete all copies.
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