Guidelines for care & Use of Dry Solvent Stills [Example]

“COMMON FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS
“Electrical
a. Flat extension cords are not allowed. Power strips with built-in circuit breakers are
acceptable. Don’t overload electrical circuits with too many appliances.
b. Power strips cannot be plugged into other power strips (piggybacking).
c. Faulty outlets (loose, broken, missing cover plates, ungrounded) must be repaired ASAP by
Physical Facilities.
d. Electrical panels must be fully accessible.
e. Cords on appliances should not be frayed, spliced or cracked. If they are, have them
repaired by Physical Facilities.
“Exits
a. Exits must be kept unlocked unless equipped with panic type hardware.
b. Exit passages (stairways, hallways) are to be kept clear. No storage is allowed.
c. Exits must be clearly indicated and equipped with functioning exit lights.
d. Exit doors must be operable with no greater than 15 pounds of pressure and must not bind.
“Housekeeping
a. Areas must be clean, free of debris and combustibles (paper, rags, boxes).
b. All containers must be clearly labeled to identify contents
c. Flammable liquids must be stored in flammable liquids cabinets” [ or carefully stored in
minimal amounts on laboratory shelves - MAT].
7. Fire alarms are located in the following hallways:
Ground Floor First Floor Second Floor
1. Stairwell North 1. Left front door 1. Next to North Stairs
2. Stairwell South 2. Right front door 2. Next to South Stairs
3. Next to Rm. 7 3. Next to North door
4. Next to Rm. 1 4. Next to South door
5. Next to Rm. 17 5. Next to North Stairs
6. Next to South Stairs
Activating a fire alarm is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly. Most people realize this,
perhaps even to such an extent as to render themselves reluctant to do so when it is clearly necessary. DO
NOT hesitate to pull an alarm when a laboratory fire has grown out of control. Break the glass on the alarm
with the attached breaking device and PULL! You should know the location of the nearest alarm to your
lab and examine it at least once when you begin working in that area.
Fire extinguisher inspections for Salem Hall are conducted periodically by Mr. Scott Frazier [WFU
Assistant Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Director]. Please call him at phone # 4329 to get
extinguishers recharged if they are emptied during a fire in your lab. All Fire Extinguisher Inspection
Records are kept with him, also.
References for General Safety Procedures:
Safety in Academic Laboratories, 6 th edition. American Chemical Society, Washington D.C.:
1995, pages 3-8, 32.
Chemical Safety Manual for Small Businesses, 2 nd edition. American Chemical Society,
Washington D.C.: 1992, pages 4-11, 25-31, 53-59.
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