If a fire has started in a fume hood and cannot be put out with a fire extinguisher, the first step is to alert everyone in the area and evacuate the building immediately. Follow these steps:
Activate the building fire alarm and call the emergency services. Give the address, location, and nature of the fire.
Close all doors behind you as you leave to contain the fire.
Do not use the elevator. Use the stairs to leave the building.
Follow the emergency procedures of the building and the laboratory. Report to the designated emergency assembly point.
Do not re-enter the building until you are told that it is safe to do so.
It is important to remember that fume hoods are designed to exhaust hazardous gases and vapors, but they do not provide complete protection from fires. Some fires can release hazardous chemicals or gases, and these can travel through the ventilation system and spread throughout the laboratory. Therefore, it is important to evacuate the building and call the emergency services as soon as possible.
In addition to following the emergency procedures, it is important to take steps to prevent fires in the laboratory. These may include:
Properly storing and handling flammable chemicals.
Not overloading electrical circuits or using damaged electrical equipment.
Regularly inspecting and maintaining laboratory equipment and ventilation systems.
Using appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, gloves, and lab coats.
Educating laboratory personnel about fire safety and emergency procedures.