Laboratory evacuation plan

In the event of a fire or other emergency, seconds count. The safe, orderly and prompt evacuation of building occupants depends on having the physical safety features of a building in operating condition as well as having an emergency evacuation plan. The cooperation and participation of every building occupant is essential. Every person that lives and works in a building has an individual responsibility to know how to evacuate in an emergency and to accomplish the evacuation when the fire alarm device sounds or when directed by an authority. This guide will help you to prepare for emergency situations that might arise in your facility.

•  Pre-plan your escape

- Know the location of fire alarm pull box locations

- Make sure your floor has at least two unobstructed ways out

- Check the fire exits to make sure they are usable

- Do not use the elevators. They could become disabled, trapping you on the fire floor

- Know the location of fire rated stairwells that will provide a protected path all the way to the outside

- Learn the sound of your buildings fire alarm. They could be bells, chimes, horns or a coded gong

- Post emergency numbers near all telephones

- If you have fire blankets in your area, know how to use them

•  If there is a fire or fire alarm, everyone evacuates!

- If you discover a fire or smoke condition, sound the building alarm by activating the nearest pull station

- Whenever you hear the fire alarm sound,leave immediately! Don’t assume the fire alarm is false or a test and wait to see what others do. In a fire, seconds count

- Try to help others, if you can do so safely

- Unless unusual conditions dictate otherwise, the best evacuation route is the nearest stairway and out the nearest exit

- When leaving, close (do not lock) the door behind you. If the door locks automatically, take your key with you in case you need to get back in for refuge

- Once outside, meet at your assembly point and take a head count to make sure everyone is out and accounted for. Never attempt to re-enter the building to search for someone missing, let fire or police officials know

•   Is the door hot?

- Before opening a door, you should make sure there is no fire on the other side by using the back of your hand to touch the door, door knob or door frame

- If any feel hot, don’t open it, there is probably fire on the other side. If cool, open the door slowly, leave the area and close the door behind you

- Stay low when there is smoke

- If you encounter smoke while escaping, crawl or get as low as you can. The cleanest air will be within 1 to 2 feet from the floor. If the main exit is blocked by fire or smoke, you should use your alternate route. If this is not feasible, go back in your room to wait for rescue

•   If you can’t escape

- Close all doors between you and the fire

- Seal cracks around doors with cloth to keep the smoke out

- Call 911 to notify them of your location

- While waiting for rescuers, signal from a window by hanging clothes out the window, waving an object or shouting

•  Reference

Stony Brook University

Installation and use of laboratory equipments

(a) Installation and use by trained personnel only.

(b) Connect to a suitably rated power supply with appropriate surge protection.

(c) Ensure there is no damage to the power cord and replace with equivalent if it becomes damaged.

(d) The plug attached to the power cord should have an earth wire connected. For additional safety, the user may also connect an earth wire to the earth terminal at the back of the unit if necessary to comply with local statutory requirements or a site risk assessment.

(e) Do not use supply voltages other than those specified in the technical specifications.

(f) The instrument must be kept on a firm, non flammable work surface and in a well ventilated area.

(g) Do not keep on or near any hot surfaces and avoid direct sunlight or flammable vapour.

(h) Allow 300 mm of obstruction free space on both sides and at the rear of the unit for ventilation and do not block air vents on the body.

(i) In case of spillage of liquid inside the unit, DO NOT turn ON the machine. Contact your nearest technician.

(l) Regular wiping with a damp cloth is recommended. Do not use any solvent based cleaner.

(m) Use only recommended consumables and spares.

(n) Do not attempt to open any part of the unit other than as specified in the instruction manual.

(o) If a collection bottle is part of the unit, check the bottle is empty and properly fitted before to start.

(p) If any problems occurs or in case of any abnormality, switch off the unit and contact your authorised nearest technician.

(q) Do not place anything inflammable, explosive or live in the unit at any time.

(r)  Do not use the unit for any reason other than its recommended purpose.

(s) Any standard safety precaution for use of an electrical instrument must be followed.

(t) Switch off, disconnect, and clean (if necessary)  the unit at the end of daily activity.

Safety with laboratory electrical equipments

The following are a list of rules for working with electrical equipment:

1. Turn off the power to equipment before inspecting it. Turn off circuit breakers or unplug the equipment.

To turn off a safety switch, use your left hand (wear insulating gloves made of leather or heavy cotton or rubber), turn your face away from the box, and pull the handle down. Circuits may discharge violently when being turned on or off and the cover to the junction box may be blown open.

2. Use only tools and equipment with non-conducting handles when working with electrical devices.

3. All current transmitting parts of any electrical devices must be enclosed.

4. When checking an operating circuit, keep one hand either in a pocket or behind your back to avoid making a closed circuit through the body.

5. Maintain a work space clear of extraneous material such as books, papers, and clothes.

6. Never change wiring with circuit plugged into power source.

7. Never plug leads into power source unless they are connected to an established circuit.

8. Avoid contacting circuits with wet hands or wet materials.

9. Wet cells should be placed on a piece of non-conducting material.

10. Check circuits for proper grounding with respect to the power source.

11. Do not insert another fuse of larger capacity if an instrument keeps blowing fuses – this is a symptom requiring expert repairs. If a fuse blows, find the cause of the problem before putting in another one.

12. By the Ohio Fire Code, extension cords must be connected to a power strip equipped with a fuse.

13. Do not use or store highly flammable solvents near electrical equipment.

14. Multi-strip outlets (cube taps) should not be used in place of permanently installed receptacles. If additional outlets are required have them installed by an electrician.

15. Keep access to electrical panels and disconnect switches clear and unobstructed.

•  Static Electricity and Spark Hazards:

Sparks may result in explosions in areas where flammable liquids are being used and therefore proper grounding of equipment and containers is necessary. Some common potential sources of sparks are:

1. The making and braking of an electrical circuit when the circuit is energized.

2. Metal tanks and containers.

3. Plastic lab aprons.

4. Metal clamps, nipples, or wire used with nonconducting hoses.

5. High pressure gas cylinders upon discharge.

• Reference

Ohio State University.