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FIRE RISK

Resource Person

• The ACMO: his/her knowledge of both the laboratory and its activities enable him/her to identify potential sources of fire.
• The Cellule de Première Intervention (first intervention task force): the first intervention teams are in charge of setting up the fire-extinguishing and emergency equipment.
• The people in charge of evacuating the laboratory: they proceed to evacuating the site and make sure that nobody has stayed inside the laboratory.

Fire is a combustion

It is a process of oxidation between two elements: a fuel (that burns) and an oxidizing substance (that keeps the fuel burning). Combustion is often symbolised by the fire triangle. All three elements of the triangle are necessary to start a fire: hence, suppressing one element will put out the fire.

Main prevention measures

For the laboratory:

• Locate the cut-off devices (gas, power...) and emergency equipment
• Make sure corridors, stairs and above all the exits are clear
• Store in adapted premises and appropriate conditions all flammable products and high calorific potential materials (do not store anything in sheaths and pipe galleries),
• Do not use too many multiple plugs

For the staff:

• Take part in the compulsory evacuation exercises
• Read the safety instructions and comply with them
• Know the emergency phone numbers and display them
• Attend fire-fighting training sessions
• Do not park your car on emergency access roads

In case of fire

• Act fast but stay calm
• Sound the alarm and call or have someone call both the Cellule de Première Intervention (first intervention task force) and the fire brigade
• Use the appropriate emergency equipment of the laboratory
• Cut off power and gas, close doors and windows
• Evacuate the laboratory calmly, using the previously defined or usable itineraries
• If it is impossible to evacuate, keep close to the windows (possibly accessible from the fire brigade's ladder) and show that you are there
• If there is too much smoke or the temperature is very high, kneel: the air is cooler near the ground. Do not forget that smoke can be very toxic.
• Do not go back
• Never use the elevators

Fire-fighting equipment

Fire-extinguishers are the main emergency equipment present in the laboratories. The choice of which type to use depends on the type of fire.

In the case of fires linked to electricity, it is better to use CO² extinguishers.