Fire Prevention and Life Safety

1. Extreme care must be taken when using flammable liquids around any heat source, flames, or electrical equipment. Laboratory equipment (stirrers, meters, etc.) are designed to be sparkproof, but limiting vapors is always a good safety precaution.

2. Flammable liquids should not be mixed with strong oxidizing agents. As the organic material is oxidized, heat is evolved and may ignite the material resulting in a fire.

3. Organic vapors are heavier than air and will quickly travel along a lab bench or floor to an ignition source. Never use flammable liquids around an ignition source. Try to minimize the amount of volatile liquids used and be aware that organic vapors can travel great distances.

4. Flammable liquids are very volatile. Dispense them in an operating fume hood. 

5. Use lab mats and/or plastic trays when dispensing organic solvents to contain spills and drips.

6. Students should dispense flammable liquids from smaller bottles to limit spills and fumes. Do not allow students to dispense flammable liquids from containers larger than 1 liter. Larger volume containers increase the possibility of contamination and also increase the amount of fuel that will be available in case of a fire.

7. During lab, dispense the flammable liquid from a central dispensing location in an operating fume hood, and have students bring a graduated cylinder or test tube to the dispensing area. This will help to minimize spills and accidents as well as limit the amount of flammable liquid being transported back to the lab bench.

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Life Safety Guidelines

Maintain clear paths to emergency equipment such as eyewash/shower stations, fire extinguishers, exit routes and exit doors.

Do not place items blocking access to fire extinguishers, or emergency eyewash/shower stations. See below examples.