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INTRODUCTION
The following provides fire/life safety guidelines and procedures. This section covers the following topics:

• General Fire/Life Safety
• Fire Response
• Combustible Storage
• Emergency Access and Egress
• Fire Detection and Notification
• Fire Suppression
• Open Burning
• Holiday Decorations
• Building Fire Alarm/Emergency Evacuation
• Miramar Fire Safety Procedures
• Fire Safety in a Chemistry Laboratory
• Fire Extinguishers

• Minimize combustible storage.
• Store waste materials in suitable containers.
• Use flammable materials in well-ventilated areas. Use and store flammables away from ignition sources, such as cigarettes.
• Keep equipment is good working order. Have electrical wiring and appliances inspected regularly.
• Ensure that heating units are properly safeguarded.
• Do not hunt for gas leaks using an open flame. Use approved gas indicators.
• Report and repair all gas leaks immediately.
• Conduct hot work in well-ventilated areas.
• Test enclosed or confined spaces for flammable atmospheres.
• Use open flames carefully. Do not open flames where flammable atmospheres may be present.

• Pull the fire pull station to begin evacuating the building.
• If you are not in immediate danger, call 4444 to report the fire. Provide the dispatcher with the following information:
• Building or area name
• Approximate location of the fire
• Size and type of fire
• Your name and call back number
• If you are formally trained in fire fighting techniques and are not in immediate danger, you may attempt to fight the fire. Do not place yourself or others in unnecessary danger.
• Exit the building by following posted evacuation routes. Do not use elevators during an emergency.

• Eliminate excess combustible materials such as paper and cardboard.
• Do not store combustible materials in hallways, stairwells, or mechanical rooms.
• When stacking combustible materials, leave at least 18 inches between the top of the stack and the ceiling.

These definitions help clarify the concept of emergency access and egress:

• Emergency Access: Permanent facilities and equipment remain available and unobstructed at all times to ensure effective fire detection, evacuation, suppression, and response.
• Emergency Egress: A continuous and unobstructed way to travel from any point in a public building to a public way. A means of egress may include horizontal and vertical travel routes, including intervening rooms, doors, hallways, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, courts, and yards.

• Keep all means of egress clean, clutter-free, and unobstructed.
• Do not place hazardous materials or equipment in areas that are used for evacuation.
• Do not use corridors or stairways for storage or office/laboratory operations. Corridors may not be used as an extension of the office or laboratory.

IMPORTANT: Do not park in fire lanes or within 15 feet of fire hydrants and other fire equipment.

Fire Doors
A fire door serves as a barrier to limit the spread of fire and restrict the movement of smoke. Unless they are held open by the automatic systems, fire doors should remain closed at all times. Do not tamper with fire doors or block them with equipment, potted plants, furniture, etc.

Fire doors are normally located in stairwells, corridors, and other areas required by Fire Code. The door, doorframe, locking mechanism, and closure are rated between 20 minutes and three hours. A fire door rating indicates how long the door assembly can withstand heat and a water hose stream.

Always keep fire doors closed. If it is necessary to keep a fire door open, have a special closure installed. This closure will connect the fire door to the building’s fire alarm system, and will automatically close the door if the alarm system activates.

IMPORTANT: Know which doors are fire doors and keep them closed to protect building occupants and exit paths from fire and smoke. Never block a fire door with a non-approved closure device such as a doorstop, block of wood, or potted plant. For fire doors with approved closure devices, make sure that nothing around the door can impede the closure.

Never alter a fire door or assembly in any way. Simple alterations such as changing a lock or installing a window can lessen the fire rating of the door.

Doors to offices, laboratories, and classrooms help act as smoke barriers, regardless of their fire rating. Keep these doors closed whenever possible.

REMEMBER: A closed door is the best way to protect your path to safety from the spread of smoke and fire.

Fire Detection and Notification
TAMU-CC uses several types of fire detection and notification systems including heat detectors, smoke detectors, pull stations, and horns and lights. The following sections discuss these components.

• Heat Detectors: Heat detectors respond to the convected energy in hot smoke and fire gases (i.e., heat). Heat detectors are normally located in laboratories, mechanical rooms, storage areas, and areas that could produce high levels of dust, steam, or other airborne particles.
• Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors respond to the solid and liquid aerosols produced by a fire (i.e., smoke). Since smoke detectors cannot distinguish between smoke particles and other particles such as steam, building occupants must be aware of detector locations and be considerate when working around them. Smoke detectors are normally found in exit corridors, office areas, assembly areas, and residence halls.
If your work produces steam, dust or an environment that could damage or activate a detector, protect the detector with some type of covering (e.g., plastic bag). Remember to remove the protective covering at the end of the day or as soon as your work is done.

Alarm Systems
Pull Stations

Fire alarm manual pull stations are installed to manually activate a building’s alarms in addition to the automatic fire sensing devices. When pulled manually, a pull station activates the fire alarm system and notifies University personnel that an emergency exists. Pull stations are located near exit stairways and/or building exits.

If you smell smoke or if you see smoke or a fire, complete these steps:

1. Pull a manual pull station to evacuate the area.
2. If you are not in immediate danger, call 4444.
3. If you are trained in fire fighting and it is reasonably safe to do so, attempt to extinguish the fire.

Horns and Lights
Emergency horns/bells and lights are located throughout University buildings with fire alarm systems. They are typically found near emergency pull stations. Do not block emergency horns or lights. Report damaged or defective horns and lights to the Environmental Health & Safety Office.

Fire Suppression
TAMU-CC uses various types of fire suppression equipment including portable fire extinguishers, sprinklers, halon systems, carbon dioxide systems, and fire hose/standpipe systems. The following sections discuss each type of fire suppression equipment.

Fire Extinguishers
Fires are classified according to three basic categories. Each type of fire requires special treatment to control and extinguish it. Therefore, all fire extinguishers are clearly marked to indicate the fire classes for which they are designed.
Fires are classified as indicated below. Refer to the table on the following page for additional information.

• Class A: Fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, textiles, paper, rubber, cloth, and trash. The extinguishing agent for a Class A fire must be cool. Water and multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguishers are ideal for use on these types of fires.
• Class B: Fires involving flammable or combustible liquids or gases such as solvents, gasoline, paint, lacquer, and oil. The extinguishing agent for a Class B fire must remove oxygen or stop the chemical reaction. Carbon dioxide, multi-purpose dry chemical and halon fire extinguishers are ideal for use on these types of fires.
• Class C: Fires involving energized electrical equipment or appliances. The extinguishing agent for a Class C fire must be a nonconducting agent. Carbon dioxide, multi- purpose dry chemical, and halon fire extinguishers are ideal for use on these types of fires. Never use a water fire extinguisher on a Class C fire.

There are numerous types of fire extinguishers; however, most extinguishers contain water, carbon dioxide, or dry chemicals. The Halon agent is no longer available for purchase. Halon has been determined to be an ozone-depleting agent. Halon fire extinguishers are safe to use, however, if used, the extinguisher will be replaced by a different type.

Inspection, Testing and Recharging
The Environmental Health & Safety Office inspects and tests fire extinguishers regularly. The Environmental Health & Safety Office also recharges extinguishers. (Fire extinguishers must be recharged after every use.) To move a fire extinguisher to a new location or report a missing or damaged fire extinguisher, call the Environmental Health & Safety Office.

Using Fire Extinguishers
Most fire extinguishers provide operating instructions on their label; however, the time to learn about fire extinguishers is not during a fire. The sooner you know how to use a fire extinguisher, the better prepared you are.

NOTE: Portable fire extinguishers are located throughout all University facilities. They are mounted in readily accessible locations such as hallways, near exit doors, and areas containing fire hazards. Make sure that fire extinguishers are accessible and securely mounted.
The Environmental Health & Safety Office provides fire extinguisher classes. When using a fire extinguisher to fight or control a fire, aim the spray at the base of the fire. Because most extinguishers only work for a short time, employ a sweeping motion and work quickly to control the fire.

IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to fight a fire unless it is small and controllable. Use good judgement to determine your capability to fight a fire. When fighting a fire, always maintain an escape route. Never allow a fire to block your egress.

Portable Extinguishers and Automobiles
All state-owned vehicles in excess of 20 horsepower must contain a 2-1/2 pound A-B-C class fire extinguisher.

Sprinkler Systems
The purpose of water sprinkler systems is to help extinguish and minimize the spread of fires. Sprinklers are normally activated only by heat. They are not connected to emergency pull stations. To ensure that sprinklers are effective in the event of a fire, maintain at least 18 inches from the ceiling. (Anything close to the ceiling can defeat the sprinkler system.) Never hang anything from a sprinkler head. Arrange work areas to facilitate sprinklers and allow even water distribution.

Halon and Carbon Dioxide Systems
Special work areas, such as computer rooms and chemical storage rooms, may contain specialized fire suppression systems. For example, many computer rooms contain halon systems and many chemical storage rooms contain dioxide systems. Areas with special fire suppression systems will be clearly identified on the room door.

• Keep all room doors and windows closed.
• Know how the fire suppression system works (i.e., operation, abort switch, etc.)
• Do not tamper with ceiling tiles.

If you have any questions about supplemental fire suppression systems, please contact the Environmental Health & Safety Office.

Fire Hoses and Standpipe Systems
Fire hose cabinets are located in several buildings near the exit stairwells and in corridors. Employees who use a fire hose to extinguish a fire should have received training to ensure proper usage and safety.

Open Burning
TAMU-CC must comply with TNRCC regulations for open burning. Follow these steps before burning anything outside:

1. Only natural ground cover may be burned. It is not acceptable to store items for burning at a later date. Open burning must only be used as a way to remove brush and other acceptable items if no alternate removal can be used.
2. Smoke and flying debris may not cross or contact public thoroughfares.
3. Responsible persons must be present during the entire burn, be equipped with adequate fire fighting agents, and be able to quickly communicate with emergency response personnel.

Please contact the Environmental Health & Safety Office for additional information on open burning and alternative methods of disposal and for obtaining permits.

Holiday Decorations
Holiday decorations are often fire hazards. Follow these guidelines to improve fire safety during the holidays:

• Do not use live Christmas trees in University buildings unless they are treated with a fire retardant. Use an artificial tree that is fire resistant.
• Do not place holiday decorations where they may block emergency egress (e.g., stairways, corridors, near doors, etc.)
• Only use decorations that are flame retardant.
• Practice good housekeeping by minimizing paper and other combustible decorations.
• Avoid using extension cords. If you must use an extension cord, use a heavy gauge cord and place it in plain view. Make sure the cord does not pose a tripping hazard.
• Use FM or UL labeled electrical decorations.
• Do not light candles or use other decorations with open flames.
• Turn off lights when the room is occupied.

Fire Safety and Fire Extinguishers In a Chemistry Laboratory

Introduction
Fire is the most common serious hazard that one faces in a typical chemistry laboratory. While proper procedure and training can minimize the chances of an accidental fire, you must still be prepared to deal with a fire emergency should it occur. This document teaches you the basics about fire extinguishers—proper types, how to use them, when and when not to use them as well as the proper procedures to follow should a fire occur. It is not a comprehensive guide, be sure to read the disclaimer given below.
If your clothing is on fire (and the floor is not), STOP, DROP and ROLL on the ground to extinguish the flames. If you are within a few feet of a safety shower or fire blanket, you can use these instead, but do not try to make it “just down the hall” if you are on fire. If one of your coworkers catches fire and runs down the hallway in panic, tackle them and extinguish their clothing.

Fire Extinguishers
The two most common types of extinguishers in the chemistry laboratory are pressurized dry chemical Type BC or ABC and carbon dioxide extinguishers:
In addition, you may have a specialized Class D dry powder extinguisher for use on flammable metal fires (in a pinch, a bucket of dry sand will do, but you really should have a Class D unit if you work with flammable metals). Water-filled extinguishers are not acceptable for chemistry laboratory use. If you have a water-filled extinguisher, have it replaced immediately by calling the Environmental Health & Safety Office 825-5555.

If you are not familiar with fire extinguishers and have not been trained in their use, DO NOT attempt to use them! If you work in a laboratory you should have received this training; if not contact your supervisor immediately.

Which kind of extinguisher should I use?

First recognize that there are four different kinds of fires:

• Class A fires are ordinary materials like burning paper, lumber, cardboard, plastics etc.
• Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, and common organic solvents used in the laboratory.
• Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes, power tools, hot plates and stirrers. Water is a particularly dangerous extinguishing medium for class C fires because of the risk of electrical shock.
• Class D fires involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium as well as organometallic reagents such as alkyllithiums, Grignards and diethylzinc. These materials burn at high temperatures and will react violently with water or other chemicals. Handle with care!!

Some fires may be a combination of these! Your fire extinguishers should have ABC ratings on them. These ratings will often have numbers on them that look something like “3-A:40-B:C”. Higher numbers mean more firefighting power. In this example, the extinguisher has a good firefighting capacity for Class A, B and C fires.

Here are typical uses for common extinguishers:

• Water extinguishers are suitable for class A (paper etc.) fires, but not for class B, C and D such as burning liquids, electrical fires or reactive metal fires. In these cases, the flames will be spread or the hazard made greater!
• Dry chemical extinguishers are useful for class ABC fires and are your best all around choice. They have an advantage over CO2 extinguishers in that they leave a blanket of non-flammable material on the extinguished material which reduces the likelihood of re-ignition. They also make a terrible mess – but if the choice is a fire or a mess, take the mess! Note that there are two kinds of dry chemical extinguishers.

-Type BC fire extinguishers contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate.
-Type ABC fire extinguishers contain ammonium phosphate.

• CO2 extinguishers are for class B and C fires. They don’t work very well on class A fires because the material usually re-ignites. CO2 extinguishers have an advantage over dry chemical in that they leave behind no harmful residue – a good choice for an electrical fire on a computer or other delicate instrument. Note that CO2 is a bad choice for a flammable metal fire such as Grignard reagents, alkyllithiums and sodium metal because CO2 reacts with these materials. CO2 extinguishers are not approved for class D fires!

• Metal/Sand Extinguishers are for flammable metals (class D fires) and work by simply smothering the fire. You should have an approved class D unit if you are working with flammable metals.

Check out the potential fire hazards in your area. Is there an extinguisher available? Do you know how to operate it? Are your extinguishers suitable for the fires you may encounter? If not, you’ll want to contact the Environmental Health & Safety Office – 825-5555.

Typical small lab fires (in a hood or on a bench) can easily be controlled by a dry chemical (ABC) or CO2 extinguisher.

Using Extinguishers

You are not required to fight a fire. Ever. If you have the slightest doubt about your control of the situation DO NOT FIGHT THE FIRE. Please see the Disclaimer below:

1. Use a mental checklist to make a Fight-or-Flight Decision. Attempt to use an extinguisher only if ALL of the following apply:

*The building is being evacuated (fire alarm is pulled).
* The fire department is being called (4444).
* The fire is small, contained and not spreading beyond its starting point.
* The exit is clear, there is no imminent peril and you can fight the fire with your back to the exit.
* You can stay low and avoid smoke.
* The proper extinguisher is immediately at hand.
* You have read the instructions and know how to use the extinguisher.

IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN MET, DON’T FIGHT THE FIRE YOURSELF. CALL FOR HELP, PULL THE FIRE ALARM AND LEAVE THE AREA.

2. Whenever possible, use the “Buddy System” to have someone back you up when using a fire extinguisher. If you have any doubt about your personal safety, or if you can not extinguish the fire, leave immediately and close off the area (close the doors, but DO NOT lock them). Leave the building but contact a firefighter to relay whatever information you have about the fire.
3. Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher.
4. Stand several feet from the fire, depress the handle and sweep back and forth towards the fire. Do not walk on an area that you have “extinguished” in case the fire re-ignites or the extinguisher runs out! The metal parts of CO2 extinguishers tend to get dangerously cold – practice using one beforehand or have someone show you the proper way to hold one. Proper training is required by state OSHA!
5. Direct the extinguisher at the base of the flames until the fire is completely out.
6. Recharge any discharged extinguisher immediately after use. If you discharge an extinguisher (even just a tiny bit) or pull the pin for any reason, call the Environmental Health & Safety office to arrange for a replacement.

Disclaimer: This page contains guidelines for the use of fire extinguishers and is not meant to be a comprehensive reference. There are many circumstances that these guidelines can not foresee and you should recognize the inherent danger in relying solely on this information!

If you would like to take a course on proper use of fire extinguishers (including some hands-on training) contact your supervisor or the Environmental Health & Safety Office 825-5555.