Laboratory fire prevention and control

Laboratory chemical experiment areas contain various chemical reagents, including flammable, toxic, corrosive, or explosive chemicals. Accidents such as fires, explosions, burns, and poisoning are likely to occur during experiments. Today, we will summarize the prevention and handling of laboratory fires, hoping to help relevant personnel.

1. Causes of Fire:

A. An ignited alcohol lamp is knocked over or an alcohol blowtorch is used improperly.
B. Combustible substances such as gasoline, alcohol, and ether catch fire and burn due to contact with flames or exposure to high temperatures.
C. Substances that can spontaneously combust, such as white phosphorus, burn due to contact with air or prolonged oxidation.
D. Combustion or explosion caused by chemical reactions.

2. Fire Prevention Measures:
A. Flammable materials and strong oxidizers should be stored separately.
B. When conducting heating or combustion experiments, strictly adhere to operating procedures.
C. When using volatile flammable substances, the experimental apparatus must be airtight and leak-proof. It is strictly forbidden to transfer or add flammable solvents near burning flames.
D. Volatile flammable waste liquids can only be poured into the sink and immediately flushed away with water. Combustible waste, such as filter paper and cotton soaked in flammable liquids, must not be discarded into waste bins; they should be burned outdoors in a timely manner. Do not throw lit or smoldering matches into waste bins.
5. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the laboratory.
6. The laboratory is always equipped with fire-fighting equipment such as sand buckets and fire extinguishers.
7. Before leaving the laboratory after the experiment, carefully check if the alcohol lamp is extinguished and the power is turned off.

3. Handling Methods:
A. Quickly remove all combustible materials, cut off the power, close the ventilation device, and prevent the fire from spreading.
B. If alcohol or other organic solvents are spilled on the table and catch fire, extinguish the fire with a wet cloth, sand, or a fire extinguisher. If clothes catch fire, immediately cover them with a wet cloth to cut off the air supply and extinguish the flames. If the burning area of the clothes is large, lie down on the ground and roll over to prevent the flames from burning the head and to extinguish the fire.

C. When the fire is large, call for emergency help and remember the fire alarm Tel "119". When reporting, clearly state the district and county where the fire occurred, the name of the road, the house number, the name of the reporter, and have someone wait at the intersection for the fire truck.