It is important to make sure there is enough fire protection to ensure safety in life threatening situations. Flinn Scientific recommends at least one 10- to 20-lb ABC, dry chemical fire extinguisher for all middle and high school science laboratories and store rooms.
Are fire extinguishers required in labs?
NFPA 45, Chapter 6, requires all laboratory units to be provided with fire protection appropriate to the fire hazard , and specifically discusses the need for portable fire extinguishers. ... Fire extinguishers are identified by their effectiveness in combatting the classes of fire listed above: A, ABC, BC, and D.
How do I calculate how many fire extinguishers I need?
Size and layout of the room: The square footage of a building and its layout will determine the number of fire extinguishers needed. For example, NFPA code states that there should be no more than 75 feet between fire extinguishers.
Where should fire extinguishers be located in a lab?
Typically by the lab exit door and are the ABC variety (for flammable liquids/paper & wood/electrical, but not for flammable metals).
What is fire extinguisher used for in the laboratory?
A portable, hand-held, fire extinguisher is a basic and required safety tool in the school science facility. It is the science teacher’s first line of defense in the event of a fire, either in the laboratory or in the chemical storage area.
How many fire extinguishers do I need per square foot?
(1) A fire extinguisher, rated not less than 2A, shall be provided for each 3,000 square feet of the floor area, or fraction thereof. Where the floor area is less than 3,000 square feet at least one extinguisher shall be provided.
How many feet apart should fire extinguishers be?
Size and layout of the room: a basic NFPA rule is that there should be no more than 75 feet between fire extinguishers and that they should be accessible.
What is the OSHA standard for fire extinguishers?
NFPA recommends one 2-A fire extinguisher for every 3,000 square feet. OSHA requires employees to have access to an extinguisher within 75 feet . Employees should have access to a fire extinguisher within either 30 or 50 feet, depending on the hazard in question and the rating of the extinguisher (see below).
What are the legal requirements for fire extinguishers?
Cal OSHA mandates different distribution requirements within the building for each extinguisher class. Class A and D fire extinguishers must be supplied every 75 feet or less ; Class B extinguishers every 50 feet or less; Class K extinguishers are required every 30 feet.
What type of fire extinguisher is best for the lab?
According to Fire Extinguisher 101, the best extinguisher for a lab is ABC, a dry chemical unit , which is able to manage A, B, and C fires. D-extinguishers, which use dry powder, are recommended as an additional safety measure for handling rare-but-possible Class D fires.
What are the 7 parts of a fire extinguisher?
- Cylindrical Tank.
- Valve.
- Carry Handle.
- Operating Lever.
- Pull Pin.
- Tamper Seal.
- Pressure Gauge.
- Discharge Hose.
What are the materials associated with a Class B fire?
Class B: Flammable liquids such as alcohol, ether, oil, gasoline and grease , which are best extinguished by smothering.
What is a Type D fire?
Class D fires only involving combustible metals – magnesium, sodium (spills and in depth), potassium, sodium-potassium alloys uranium, and powdered aluminum. ... Hold nozzle over fire.
Is code for fire extinguishers?
Fire extinguishers are required in industrial, commercial, and residential buildings listed in NFPA 1: Fire Code. NFPA 1 mandates fire extinguishers in nearly every kind of building except family homes, duplexes, and manufactured homes.
What is fire Class C?
Class C. Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment . Extinguishers with a C rating are designed for use with fires involving energized electrical equipment.
Who is responsible for fire extinguishers?
The appropriate person who has had the correct training should be responsible for using a fire extinguisher on a small fire. You should not use one if you have not been properly trained, unless the fire extinguisher is to be used as an aid to escape.
