There is at least one NFPA standard that applies to laboratories in which hazardous/flammable chemicals are present. I suggest looking for the standard in your institution's library, and/or consulting your institution's fire protection engineer for guidance on fire safety.
Items not on your list include (but may already be present):
Smoke/fire detectors in accordance with the NFPA standard
Sprinklers in accordance with the NFPA standard
Cabinets for flammable liquids
Cabinets for corrosive liquids
Two or more paths of egress
Appropriate hardware to secure any compressed gas cylinders from tip over
A designated waste accumulation area, with special attention to avoid mixing incompatible wastes (e.g., oxidizing acids and alcohols). Consult your institution's waste management specialists to assure conformance with the RCRA standards for waste accumulation and disposal.
The presence of a fire blanket is controversial. If a person's clothing ignites, the best response is "drop and roll." Wrapping a fire blanket around a person whose clothing has ignited creates a "chimney effect" directing smoke and toxic fumes to the person's breathing zone.
A safety/drench shower is obviously essential. However, there are regulations that require that such devices be periodically tested for operability.
Similarly, the eyewash stations need to be regularly (e.g., monthly) tested for operability.
Be especially careful about the use of open flames (e.g., for glass bending, or heat source for chemical reaction/distillation) in the proximity of flammable liquids. Encourage the use of hot plates or other devices instead of flames to heat liquids.
A common error in chemistry labs is the storage of flammable liquids in refrigerators designed for domestic use. Flammable liquids should be stored in "fire safe" refrigerators.
David Haugen
retired
From: "Kyle Strode" <strode**At_Symbol_Here**CARROLL.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 11:29:15 AM
Subject: [DCHAS-L] lab remodel with chemical safety in mind
We are in the planning stages for a remodel of an existing engineering lab into a chemistry undergraduate research laboratory. How should the room be outfitted in terms of chemical safety considerations?
We are thinking
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ABC Fire extinguisher (do we need a D?)
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Eyewash stations at each sink
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Shower just outside the door (already in place)
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First aid box on wall
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Fire blanket
What are we missing?
Kyle Strode
