CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

94
ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
DANGER
FLAMMABLE
LIQUIDS
FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
FIGURE 5-6 Common safety signs indicating classes of fire
extinguishers and flammable liquids.
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
explode and cause the flames to spread more rapidly.
Even adding water to some types of fires may
be dangerous or worsen the condition. Figures 5-6
and 5-7 are examples of signs that are seen widely
in various types of buildings. These color-coded
and explanatory signs should be present anywhere
electrical equipment and chemicals are in
use. Training in precautions for preventing fires
and for combating fires should be provided for
all employees.
The National Fire Protection Association
provides signs with easy-to-identify threats from
fires. Knowledge of the types of threats with
which they must contend is essential to firefighters
and other responders. These signs are useful
to a building’s occupants as well as to fire fighters
responding to an emergency.
Fire Extinguisher Availability and Location
Fire extinguishers are required to be located conveniently and are to be inspected
for proof that they have been regularly tested (Figure 5-8). There are three types
of fire extinguishers, labeled A, B, and C. Each type is designed for extinguishing
flames from various types of fuel.
HEALTH
4. Too dangerous
to enter vapor
or liquid
3. Extremely dangerous–
Use full protective
clothing
2. Hazardous–Use
breathing apparatus
1. Slightly hazardous
0. Like ordinary material
4. Extremely flammable
3. Ignites at normal
temperatures
FLAMMABLE
2. Ignites when moderately
heated
1. Must be preheated
to burn
0. Will not
burn
2
1 3
w
REACTIVE
4. May detonate
–Vacate area if
materials are
exposed to fire
3. Strong shock or heat
may detonate–Use
monitors from behind
explosion resistant
barriers
2. Violent chemical
change possible–Use
hose streams from
distance
1. Unstable if heated–
Use normal precautions
Avoid use of water
0. Normally stable
NFPA
NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
FIGURE 5-7 National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) color-coded signs warning of chemical
hazards, and a means for identifying them.
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
Copyright 2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.