Module 8.1 - Learning objectives
- Know the fire tetrahedron
- Be familiar with general fire safety tips and procedures
- Know the fire evacuation procedures
- Know about basic fire prevention
- Know about basic fire extinguishers and extinguishing media
Fire requires four elements (fuel, oxygen, heat and chemical chain reaction), which are often depicted as the fire tetrahedron. The inhibition or removal of one of these elements will fail to produce or sustain a fire. This is critical information to know when working with hazardous materials or when extinguishing a fire.
Module 8.2 - General workplace safety tips
These general tips form part of the uOttawa fire safety program and are intended to briefly summarize your responsibilities during laboratory work:
- Know and have access to two (2) separate means of evacuation.
- Ensure that exit doors are not locked or blocked.
- Practice good housekeeping and ensure that evacuation routes and emergency signage are unencumbered.
- Correct and report all unsafe conditions.
- Participate in every fire drill. If you practise, you’ll be familiar with the requirements during a real fire emergency.
- Know the location of the closest fire extinguishers and pull stations. You likely walk by at least one extinguisher and pull station every day and don’t even realize it.
- Listen to, and follow, the instructions of the building wardens and the Protection Services members during evacuations.
- Proceed to your designated assembly location and remain there until further notice.
Once you are out of the building, stay out and do not re-enter until authorized to do so by the chief building warden.
Module 8.3 - Fire prevention
The best fire is the one that never starts. When working in a laboratory environment, the risk of fire is naturally increased due to the use of hazardous products. In the presence of a heat source or spark (such as a hot plate or Bunsen burner), an otherwise normal operation could lead to significant injury or property damage. Fires can happen fast! Once the sprinklers activate, the water does not know when to shut off. This results in a lot of damage (and downtime) following a fire, not from the fire or smoke itself, but caused by the water or extinguishing media.
- Ensure that flammable materials (including fuels and common solvents) are properly stored in a rated flammable storage cabinet.
- Any spill or leak must be cleaned up immediately using an appropriate absorbent.
- Keep heat sources away from flammable materials.
- Conduct work within a properly functioning (and rated) fume hood.
- Welding, soldering and fine electronic work should also be conducted under appropriate ventilation (e.g., canopy, local exhaust arm).
Module 8.4 - Emergencies, extinguishers and evacuations
If, despite efforts to the contrary, a fire starts, it is important to take immediate action for the protection of people, property and the environment. The first action to take upon discovery of a fire is to decide between fight (trying to extinguish the fire) or flight (warning others and evacuating).
If choosing to fight a small fire, make sure that:
- The fire is small and contained (i.e., it is not spreading).
- There is a clear exit and your actions would not cause the fire to spread.
- The proper extinguisher is available and you know how to use it.
- You don’t need to pass a fire to get to an extinguisher.