The NFPA has spoken out about the risk of laboratories to fire safety, saying that the wide range of chemicals, materials and equipment used all pose a fire risk.
NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, addresses the rising issue of managing fire protection in laboratories. First published in 1974, the standard is currently available as a 2024 edition in print and digitally.
Incidents rising and gaps in safety knowledge and training
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in dental, testing and medical and diagnostic labs rose from 2020 to 2023.
Additionally, some studies have shown that awareness and training on laboratory risks is lacking. The following statistics come from an article published in 2020 in the journal Nature Chemistry:
- 25 percent of researchers had not been trained in the specific hazard with which they worked.
- 25–38 percent of lab personnel surveyed said they had been involved in an accident or injury in the lab that was not reported to a supervisor.
- 27 percent of researchers stated that they never conducted any kind of risk assessment before. performing laboratory work. Academic researchers were the least likely to assess risk, followed by industry and government.
How can NFPA 45 help?
NFPA 45 is a resource in protecting fire safety in laboratories. The standard is designed to provide comprehensive guidelines and requirements for ensuring fire safety in laboratories where chemical experiments, research and development and other potentially hazardous activities take place.
Some of the key elements of laboratory safety that are covered in NFPA 45 include:
- Lab classification: NFPA 45 classifies laboratories into different categories based on the types and quantities of chemicals used, as well as potential fire hazards.
- Design and construction: The standard provides guidance on designing and constructing laboratories to mitigate fire risks. This includes guidance on fire-resistant materials, proper ventilation and adequate space for storage, safety equipment and exits.
- Fire detection and suppression: NFPA 45 offers recommendations for installing fire detection and suppression systems. These include fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers and sprinklers to detect and control fires promptly.
- Chemical storage and handling: The proper storage and handling of chemicals is essential to preventing accidental chemical releases and fires. NFPA 45 outlines specific requirements for safe chemical storage, labeling and segregation to minimize the potential for accidents.
- Emergency planning: The standard underscores the importance of having a well-defined emergency plan in place. This includes escape routes, fire drills, chemical spill response protocols and communication strategies to ensure all personnel are aware of their roles in an emergency.
- Training and education: NFPA 45 highlights the key elements of safety training, which should cover topics such as chemical handling, fire prevention and emergency response.
- Inspections and maintenance: Regular inspections and maintenance of fire protection equipment and systems are necessary to ensure they function as intended. NFPA 45 provides recommendations for scheduling and conducting these critical tasks.
The fire risk of laboratories is rising, say the NFPA: Summary
The NFPA has spoken out about the risk of chemicals, materials and equipment used in laboratories.
Using their NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, the organization shared their tips to promote lab safety.
