Complete Fire Safety Standards for Laboratories

I. Major Hazards in Laboratory Fires

Flammable and Explosive Chemicals: Methanol, ethanol, acetone, diethyl ether, petroleum ether, benzene, n-hexane, and other organic solvents; sodium, potassium, lithium, lithium aluminum hydride, and other water-reactive reagents that spontaneously combust; white phosphorus, nitrocellulose, peroxides, and other strong oxidizers/spontaneously combustible materials.

Electrical Ignition Sources: Aging wiring, overloaded power strips, heating mantles, muffle furnaces, ovens, centrifuges, refrigerators (stored organic solvents are highly prone to explosion), loose wiring causing short circuits.

High-Temperature Heat Sources: Alcohol lamps, alcohol burners, electric furnaces, oil baths, tube furnaces; high-temperature contact with filter paper, plastics, and organic reagents can cause fires.

Hazards Caused by Improper Handling: Mixed storage of reagents, unauthorized large-scale dumping of organic solvents, unattended heating, indiscriminate mixing of waste liquids, gas cylinders exposed to sunlight/leaking after dumping.

II. Daily Fire Prevention Management Requirements

(I) Fire Prevention for Reagent Storage: Flammable liquids should be stored separately in explosion-proof and fire-resistant reagent cabinets. These cabinets should be ventilated, grounded, and anti-static. The quantity stored should not exceed the daily usage. Oxidizing agents, reducing agents, acids, alkalis, and flammable materials should be kept in separate areas and never mixed. Reagents that spontaneously combust upon contact with water should be sealed, dried, and kept away from water sources.

Organic solvents are strictly prohibited from being stored in laboratory refrigerators. Explosion-proof refrigerators are specifically for storing low-boiling-point flammable reagents.

Reagent bottles must be sealed to prevent evaporation and the formation of flammable vapors. The fume hood must be kept continuously ventilated.

(II) Heating and Open Flame Operation Procedures

If an electric heating device can replace an open flame, an alcohol lamp is prohibited. Open flame operations must be conducted in a fume hood, with no flammable materials such as paper, rags, or plastics nearby.

Direct heating of organic solvents is strictly prohibited. Use water baths, oil baths, or electric heating mantles. Do not leave your post during the heating process; a temperature limit alarm must be set.

Alcohol lamps should be filled to 1/3 to 2/3 capacity. Do not ignite or blow out the flame; extinguish by covering the lamp with the lid. If alcohol spills, immediately disconnect the power and extinguish the fire source, then cover with a fire blanket.

Leave sufficient space around high-temperature equipment (muffle furnaces, ovens) for heat dissipation; do not pile any reagents or paper there.

(III) Electrical Fire Prevention

Do not illegally connect electrical wires; do not share a single power strip with multiple high-power devices; keep sockets away from sinks and reagent tables to prevent liquid splashes and short circuits.

Disconnect power promptly when equipment is not in use; unplug equipment if not in use for extended periods; regularly check for damaged wiring and blackened or overheated plugs.

Use explosion-proof electrical appliances in areas with organic solvent vapors to prevent electrical sparks from igniting vapors.

(IV) Gas Cylinder Fire and Explosion Prevention

Secure flammable gas cylinders such as hydrogen, acetylene, and methane to prevent tipping; keep them away from heat sources, open flames, and oxidizers, at least 5 meters away from ignition sources; check pipelines for leaks; strictly prohibit leaks; ensure adequate ventilation indoors.

III. Laboratory Firefighting Equipment Configuration and Use

Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers (ABC): Suitable for initial fires involving solids, oils, and electrical components; universally applicable in most laboratories.

Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers (CO₂): For fires involving precision instruments and electrical equipment; extinguishes fires without residue and does not damage equipment.

Fire Blankets: For small amounts of organic solvent fires or fires involving clothing; directly cover and isolate oxygen to extinguish the fire. Sand bucket: For fires involving water-reactive reagents such as sodium and potassium, never use water; cover with dry sand.

Emergency sprinklers and eyewash stations: These should be equipped with fireproof covers. If a fire is accompanied by splashing corrosive reagents, use the sprinklers immediately.

Do not use water-based fire extinguishers to extinguish organic solvent, metal spontaneous combustion, or electrical fires, as this will spread the fire and cause an explosion.

IV. Handling Methods for Different Types of Fires

Small organic solvent fire on a table: Immediately disconnect the heat source and power supply, turn off the fume hood fan (to prevent airflow from fueling the fire), cover with a fire blanket, or extinguish with a dry powder/CO₂ fire extinguisher.

Sodium, potassium, and lithium fires: Absolutely do not use water or foam fire extinguishers. Cover with dry sand to isolate the air.

Electrical equipment fire: First disconnect the power, then use a CO₂ or dry powder fire extinguisher. Never use water to extinguish the fire while the power is still on.

Clothing fire: Roll on the spot to smother the flames, or wrap the clothing with a fire blanket. Do not run to accelerate oxygen supply; use the nearest emergency sprinkler to cool the clothing. Large-scale fire out of control: Immediately stop operations, shut off the main gas and power valves, evacuate along the safety exits, call the fire department, and inform them of the laboratory's location and the type of burning material.

V. Prohibited Behaviors (Red Lines)

Large quantities of flammable reagents left open; large quantities of organic solvents dispensed on the lab bench;

Unattended heating or open flame operations;

Storing flammable reagents in ordinary refrigerators or in direct sunlight or high-temperature environments;

Randomly mixing waste liquids (oxidizers + organic solvents can easily cause violent exothermic fires and explosions);

Smoking in the laboratory; bringing in lighters, alcohol spray, or other flammable materials;

Blocking fire exits; obstructing fire extinguishers; locking safety exits.

VI. Emergency Response Procedures

Small fire controllable: Cut off power/gas → Extinguish the fire on-site → Open windows for ventilation, and clean up potential hazards afterward;

Fire spreading: Evacuate quickly, close laboratory doors to block smoke and fire;

After evacuation, immediately report to security and call the fire department, explaining the type of hazardous chemicals in the laboratory;

For burns or chemical burns, extinguish the fire first, then use eyewash stations and showers to rinse and seek medical attention. VII. Key Points for Daily Fire Prevention Inspections

Daily After-get off work Inspection: All heat sources are powered off, gas cylinder valves are closed, reagents are sealed, there is no waste liquid leakage, fire-fighting equipment is intact, and doors and windows are properly ventilated;

Regular Inspection: Fire extinguisher pressure, fire blankets are intact, electrical circuits are free from aging, explosion-proof cabinet ventilation, and fume hood exhaust effect.