FDN(wh)Y Me? 2011

During a regular inspection, the FDNY inspector observed that a portable liquid nitrogen tank had been parked beneath a laboratory’s emergency shower. When a lab technician was asked about the arrangement, she responded that the tank was temporarily placed there while the lab was waiting for the vendor to replace it. The lab was written a Notice of Violation (NOV) for obstructing the emergency shower.

All emergency showers and drenching devices such as flexible deluge hoses must remain unobstructed at all times. Even objects that are on wheels or only kept in place temporarily, such as lab carts or liquid nitrogen tanks, are FDNY violations and serious safety hazards. Please ensure that your emergency shower or deluge hose remains unobstructed at all times.

During a regular weekly inspection of Columbia University laboratories, the FDNY inspector issued a violation to a laboratory for failure to segregate incompatible compressed gas cylinders.

Segregation of incompatible materials not only applies to chemicals but also compressed gases. FDNY regulations require compressed gas cylinder to be separated from materials and conditions that present potential hazards. Incompatible gas cylinders must be separated from one another by a minimum distance of 20 feet, or by a 5 foot high barrier, such as a wall, with a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour (e.g., cylinders containing flammable gases must be separated from oxygen cylinders). Small laboratory spaces can satisfy this requirement by maintaining an appropriate distance (as far apart as reasonably possible) between incompatible cylinders. Finally, please note that empty and full cylinders must also be segregated.

During a recent laboratory inspection, the FDNY fire inspector issued a violation order in a Columbia University building for obstruction of a service corridor.  The basis of the violation was simply the presence of too much clutter, specifically, boxes, carts, and cryogenics dewars, among other materials.  Obstructing a service corridor presents a serious danger to all building occupants in the event the corridor is needed for emergency egress or response, and also makes difficult the efficient utilization of the space (which is always at a premium). 

Coordination between laboratories using a shared space, like a service corridor or cold/warm room is key to safe and harmonious working conditions.  When working in a shared space, consider how your actions will affect your neighboring labs.  Do not obstruct aisles, doors, fire extinguishers, or emergency showers; you never know when you or someone you know may need access to one.  Basic attention to housekeeping can keep us safer and better prepared if facing an emergency, and also, violation-free.  While it may be easiest to fall into the mindset of “it isn’t my personal responsibility to keep it neat…someone else will do it,” the reality is that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep it neat, and to keep it safe. 

During a regular weekly inspection of Columbia University laboratories, the FDNY inspector issued violations to separate laboratories when he observed that access to the fire extinguishers was blocked.  In one instance, the extinguisher was mounted over a bench, at a height of 6-feet, making it difficult for most lab personnel to reach the unit.  The second violation was issued because the laboratory had positioned a new piece of equipment in front of the extinguisher.

Means of egress from the laboratory and access to emergency equipment must not be blocked. An unobstructed path to the exit must be maintained at all times. Access to emergency equipment, safety showers, eyewashes, fire extinguisher, first aid kits, etc. must not be obstructed allowing for easy access by laboratory personnel.  If concerned with the location of your fire extinguisher, contact your building’s Research Safety Specialist or place a work order with Facilities Operations to have the extinguisher repositioned to a more accessible height or location.

For a consultation before the FDNY inspector gets around to your lab, or for any question, concern, or help, please contact your Research Safety Specialist.

During a regular weekly inspection of Columbia University laboratories, the FDNY inspector issued a violation to a laboratory when he observed that its emergency eye was blocked by lab equipment and inaccessible.

Laboratory personnel had placed lab equipment on the sink counter, blocking access to the emergency eyewash.  Furthermore, since the eyewash was “out of sight, out of mind” for so long, it failed to work adequately upon testing by the FDNY inspector.   Had a true emergency occurred here, such as a chemical splash to the eyes, the risk of permanent eye damage would have greatly increased, as lab members scrambled for an alternative emergency flushing source.

It is the lab’s responsibility to test all emergency eyewashes weekly.  Failure to perform these tests may hide problems, such as a drop in water pressure from a steady flow to barely a trickle, or a sudden elevation in pressure, which might actually increase the risk of physical damage to the eyes.  Like a sink faucet that is rarely used, the eyewash may also become clogged with dirt and debris, preventing any water from escaping, or the water may be brown and odorous; unsafe conditions as well.   

Don’t wait for an emergency to find out the emergency eyewash is blocked and/or not working.  Test the eyewash at least weekly and keep a log to ensure it is maintained.  To help you remember, use the eyewash to rinse your glassware.  If the water pressure is too low or high, clogged, dirty, or not working at all, place a Facilities service request to repair.

During a regular weekly inspection of Columbia University laboratories, the FDNY inspector issued violations to separate laboratories when he observed that access to the fire extinguishers was blocked.  In one instance, the extinguisher was mounted over a bench, at a height of 6-feet, making it difficult for most lab personnel to reach the unit.  The second violation was issued because the laboratory had positioned a new piece of equipment in front of the extinguisher.

Means of egress from the laboratory and access to emergency equipment must not be blocked. An unobstructed path to the exit must be maintained at all times. Access to emergency equipment, safety showers, eyewashes, fire extinguisher, first aid kits, etc. must not be obstructed allowing for easy access by laboratory personnel.  If concerned with the location of your fire extinguisher, contact your building’s Research Safety Specialist or place a work order with Facilities Operations to have the extinguisher repositioned to a more accessible height or location.

For a consultation before the FDNY inspector gets around to your lab, or for any question, concern, or help, please contact your Research Safety Specialist.

During a regular weekly inspection of Columbia University laboratories, the FDNY inspector issued a violation to a laboratory when he observed the automatic door closing device disconnected from a laboratory entrance door.

Several laboratory entrance doors were recently observed with automatic door closing devices disconnected or inoperable.  The devices were disconnected to allow the doors to be more easily kept open, facilitating movement of people and equipment between laboratories.  Unfortunately, while this may be convenient, it also compromises the fire safety integrity of the laboratory.

All laboratory doors that lead to a corridor require a self-closing device in order to keep a fire confined to the laboratory or room of origin.  Remember the RACE and PASS Fire Safety procedures: “C” stands for “Confine.”  A closed door allows more time for occupants of the floor to evacuate without being exposed to heat, smoke and flames.  Keeping the door closed also prevents fire from spreading out of the room or lab into the corridor and possibly into other rooms, allowing firefighters to extinguish a fire in one room or lab, rather than one that has spread out of control.

Don’t wait for a fire to appreciate the worth of your lab’s fire doors!  Keep them closed, and ensure the automatic door closing devices remain connected and operable.  If an automatic door closing device in your lab is disconnected or inoperable, please call Facilities at 4-2222 (Morningside) or 305-HELP (Medical Center) to have the repair made and fire protection restored.

During several recent Columbia University laboratory inspections, the FDNY fire inspector issued violation orders for improperly storing nitric acid.  Proper storage of chemicals in laboratories is a critical safety concern for both the university and regulatory agencies.

Nitric acid, which is a highly reactive chemical, MUST be stored separately from all other acids and chemicals. This strong oxidizer should be physically placed in a chemically resistant secondary container within an acid cabinet and should be the only acid in that secondary container. The secondary container can be made of polyethylene, PYREX or Nalgene. It can also be stored in its own acid cabinet if feasible.

Below are a few other important safety tips to remember when storing nitric acid:

• Do not store near combustible materials.
• Do not store in direct sunlight.
• Keep nitric acid containers closed when not in use.
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances.
• Keep away from metals and never store on a bare metal shelf.
• Store away from alkalies and organic materials.
• Inspect periodically for damage or evidence of leaks or corrosion.

Follow good storage practices no matter what chemicals your lab is storing and remember that nitric acid has special storage considerations.