Fire Safety

Jeff WeldonZettl Group Safety Talk

11/2/06

Outline

1. Define fire classes

2. Identify extinguishing agents

3. Zettl labs

4. Fight or flight

5. Contact Information

Class A Combustibles

Wood, cloth, paper, rubber, plastic … etc.

To Extinguish use:– Water– Multipurpose dry chemical (ABC)– Halon 1211

Class B CombustiblesFlammable and combustible liquids (eg. oils, greases, tars, oil-based paints, and lacquers), flammable gases, and flammable aerosols.

– Do not use water to extinguish class b fires caused by flammable liquids. Water can cause burning liquid to spread, worsening the fire.

– To extinguish a fire caused by flammable liquids, exclude the air around the burning liquid.

– Control fires involving flammable gases escaping from a tank by closing the valve to eliminate the source of the fuel.

To Extinguish use:– Carbon Dioxide– Multipurpose dry chemical (ABC)– Halon 1301– Halon 1211

Class C Combustibles

Class C combustibles are energized electrical equipment which, when de-energized, would be classified as Class A or B combustibles.

Best solution is to turn of source of electricity.

To Extinguish use:– Carbon Dioxide– Multipurpose dry chemical (ABC)– Halon 1301– Halon 1211

Class D Combustibles

Combustible metals including sodium, titanium, magnesium, potassium, uranium, lithium, plutonium, calcium … etc..

From LBL:

“Class D combustibles are combustible metals that present special fire safety and extinguishing problems. For guidance on safe handling of combustible metals and selection of the proper extinguishing agent, contact the Fire Department, ext. 6015.”

To Extinguish use:– Dry powder sodium chloride

– Copper powder for Lithium fire

Flammable Liquid Storage

In room with greater than 10 gallons – cabinets required

In room with less than 10 gallons – cabinets recommended

Fire Extinguisher Use

• Contact Campus fire marshal to schedule a class

• Minimum class size is 15

• Contact Physical plant to install fire extinguisher

• Request must be made by building coordinator, MSO, or department head

If a Fire Should Occur

• Close the doors to stop spread of fire

• Sound the alarm and alert others to danger

• Get out of the building

• Notify the fire department

• Do not go back into the building

Contact Information

• Campus Fire Marshall: 642-5995

• EHS Fire Prevention Division: 642-3073

– http: //www.ehs.berkeley.edu/fireprev.html

• Physical Plant: 642-1032

• http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH12.html

Heavy Object Safety

Jeff Weldon11/2/06

What to do with a heavy object?

Call Mike Rousseas: (415) 225 3647

Proper Technique

1. Test object to see if it is too heavy

2. Stand close to object

3. Bend at knees, not waist

4. Lift by straightening the legs

5. Reverse procedure to place object

Lifting Alternatives

Carts in 260 Birge

Hand truck in stockroom