About This Archive | DCHAS-L 2022 Index | DCHAS-L Yearly Index | DCHAS-L Home Page
From: Chance, Brandon <bchance**At_Symbol_Here**MAIL.SMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Fire extinguisher use
Date: Nov 3, 2022 14:53 UTC
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID: <0E702131-CD76-437E-B675-C2D02D41A0A7**At_Symbol_Here**smu.edu>
In-Reply-To:
At SMU we require all individuals working in hazardous labs to have fire extinguisher training. We also have a program for RAs to have it during orientation. For all others, a monthly class is offered, and people can take it if they want
to.
We do highlight that you are never required to fight a fire and to ensure exit pathways and personal safety are of top priority. The initial class is in person with a “BullEx” digital hands on portion. Annual refreshers are provided
online.
Regards,
Brandon S. Chance, MS, CCHO
Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety
Southern Methodist University
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> on behalf of Alex Hagen <fischera**At_Symbol_Here**UW.EDU>
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Date: Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 9:33 AM
To: "DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU" <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Fire extinguisher use
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Some of the departments on our campus have this policy. It is not a campus-wide policy and we (EHS) do offer fire extinguisher training for anyone who wants to take it. However, some departments have decided to make it their specific policy
to not allow students to handle fire extinguishers. Instead, the students are instructed to simply pull the fire alarm and evacuate. My understanding is that this is to reduce the chances of them being injured due to using the extinguisher incorrectly or ineffectively.
Regards,
Alex Hagen
University of Washington
ALEX HAGEN
Laboratory Safety Inspection Program Manager
Environmental Health & Safety Department
Research & Occupational Safety, Laboratory Safety Inspection Program
Hall Health / Box 354400 / Seattle, WA 98195-4400
206.221.2339 / mobile 206.713.5267 / fax 206.616.3360
fischera**At_Symbol_Here**uw.edu / www.ehs.washington.edu
This information is intended for the individual named above. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this information
is prohibited. Please notify the sender by reply email and then destroy all copies of the message and any attachments.
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> on behalf of David C. Finster <dfinster**At_Symbol_Here**WITTENBERG.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, November 3, 2022 6:24:21 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Fire extinguisher use
It has come to my attention (anecdotally) that some academic institutions, as a matter of local policy, forbid students to use fire extinguishers. I am thinking more of research, than teaching, labs in this regard. I think this is a
wrong-headed policy since some small fires can be easily extinguished using fire extinguishers (usually ABC) that are required to be in labs. Extinguishers are designed for use (using the PASS method) by untrained persons - although I would
always argue for hands-on training. I would not favor the policy that
requires extinguisher use (as this could lead someone attempting to inappropriately fight a “too large” fire) but forbidding use seems foolish.
I ask the list: 1) How common (do you think) is the policy of forbidding use? and 2) what are the arguments for this “no use” policy?
Dave
David C. Finster
Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry
Wittenberg University
--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at
membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter @acsdchas
--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at
membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter @acsdchas