Sprinkler systems laboratories

The fire rating depends on the construction of the laboratory, including, for example, wall thickness and the presence of a sprinkler system. Laboratories having flammables ideally have sprinkler systems however, many do not. 

For the safety of people in the building, the volume of flammables in a laboratory is limited by the fire code. The higher the fire rating of the laboratory, the larger the volume of flammables allowed. The fire rating depends on the construction of the laboratory, including, for example, wall thickness and the presence of a sprinkler system. Laboratories having flammables ideally have sprinkler systems however, many do not. 

Started to rise from the reaction, causing the vessel bottom head to fail at the weld seam. The force from the escaping gases propelled the tank into the ceiling and overhead structural steel. A small fire erupted which was quickly brought under control by the automatic sprinkler system. Even though the chemists had reviewed the chemistry and did not anticipate any problems, use testing could have identified this problem in the laboratory rather than the plant. 

The building s sprinkler system, already in place, was extended to the laboratory area by a properly certified contractor. 

Sprinkler systems are an effective way to contain fires. The system consists of an array of sprinkler heads connected to a water supply. The heads are mounted in a high location (usually near ceilings) and disperse a fine spray of water over an area when activated. The heads are activated by a variety of methods. A common approach activates the heads individually by the melting of a fusible link holding a plug in the head assembly. Once activated, the sprinklers cannot be turned off unless the main water supply is stopped. This approach is called a wet pipe system. These systems are used for storage areas, laboratories, control rooms, and small pilot areas. Another approach activates the entire sprinkler array from a common control point. The control point is connected to an array of heat and/or smoke detectors that start the sprinklers when an abnormal condition is detected. If a fire is detected, the entire sprinkler array within an area... 

Sprinklers and fire protection systems are required by NFPA Codes, but are often dependent on the overall size of the facility and quantity of stored flammable/combustible material. The wisest course of action is to provide heat and smoke detectors in each laboratory and provide a sprinkler system at least in the hallways. Each laboratory should have at least one ABC portable fire extinguisher. Computers have become more important to laboratories than ever. Halon fire extinguishing systems are available which are nondestructive to both electronic equipment and human life. These should be employed for fire protection. 

Automatic sprinkler system protection for Class A and Class B laboratories should be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, for Ordinary Hazard (Group 2) occupancies. Automatic sprinkler system protection for Class C and Class D laboratories should be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, for Ordinary Hazard (Group 1) occupancies. 

Sprinkler systems and water stand pipes were purposely omitted in the Chemistry wing to avoid accidental contact of water with active metals or metal hydrides. Cylinders supplying specialty gases or compressed air to laboratories are stored in the central hall in locked chambers located between the utility chases and identical to them in outward appearance. 

In addition to fire extinguishers, a sprinkler system in the ceiling is almost always available. These are, of course, useful in extinguishing Class A fires. However, these sprinklers activate automatically, in response to the presence of smoke and/or debris in the laboratory air. The automatic addition of water to a class B, C or D fire would be counter-productive and should be avoided. Therefore, the fire-producing potential of material in each room should be evaluated, prior to installation of the sprinkler system. 

Are security personnel trained in sprinkler system operation and cutoff In fire extinguisher use Are computer operating and records rooms, laboratories, and other sensitive areas secured by modem personnel identification systems (card access, hand print, eye retina) ... 

Many laboratories have a B (business) classification with sprinkler systems and have a flammable and combustible liquid storage limitation, as shown in Table 4.2. 

TABLE 4.2 Storage Limits for Flammable and Combustible Liquids for Laboratories B Classification with Sprinkler System... 

TABLE 8.2.1.1 NFPA 45-2004 Code Allowable Container Sizes lor Flammable and Combustible Liquids/Maximum Quantity Allowed Outside Storage Cabinet per 100 fl Laboratory Space with Sprinkler System for Laboratory Unit Fire Hazard Class C... 

Certain aspects of fire prevention may be regulated by federal or state law, local codes, and institutional regulations. These factors include, but are not limited to, location of sprinkler systems, egress requirements, fire exit drills, placement and testing of fire extinguishers, etc. Some of these rules will have an effeet on the day-to-day laboratory operations, such as any regulations on the use of electrical extension cords, multiple receptacle boxes, or cube tap multiple outlet devices. 

Sprinkler systems are used in offices, laboratories, warehouses, and offshore living quarters. When used offshore, sprinkler systems are normally packed with freshwater to minimize corrosion problems. Saltwater replaces the freshwater during the course of the emergency. 

After the control valve is activated, water is distributed through one or more vertical risers to portions of the system. Smaller cross-mains are connected to the risers which then service several still smaller branch lines. The sprinkler heads are connected to these branch lines. For laboratories, both the piping and sprinkler heads should be especially selected to prevent corrosion. 

In areas where fire potential and the risk of injury or damage are high, automatic fire-extinguishing systems are often used. These may be of the water sprinkler, foam, carbon dioxide, halon, or dry chemical type. If an automatic fire-extinguishing system is in place, laboratory workers should be informed of its presence and advised of any safety precautions required in connection with its use (e.g., evacuation before a carbon dioxide total-flood system is activated, to avoid asphyxiation). 

NOTE Fire protection system shall be sprinkler, water spray, carbon dioxide or other system approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for this purpose. 

Many vendors now sell gas cabinets equipped with self-closing and latching doors and windows, sprinkler heads and various types of purge assemblies (see Fig. 5). Cabinets should be provided with a minimum flow of 100 feet per minute through the louver on the cabinet bottom. When the window is opened, the face velocity through the window should be maintained at 100 fpm. Purge assembhes may contain many different types of safety devices. An emergency shutoff valve should be located as close to the cylinder as is practicable. An air operated remotely activated cylinder valve is more preferable. System shutoff may be by manual activation of a remote switch in the laboratory or fabrication area or caused by other system defaults interlocked to gas flow. System defaults may include ... 

PE is used in low-pressure water systems, such as golf course sprinklers, for corrosive liquids and gases, in underground conduits, and as gas pipe re-liner. It is also used in industrial and chemical laboratory drainage systems, and for undergroimd gas piping. 

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