LAB BENCH AND HOOD FIRES

Laboratory Incidents at the UA

Fire on the Bench I Routine procedure – sterilization of loop

spreader by dipping in ethanol and flaming Ethanol ignited Attempt at extinguishment (with more

ethanol) Flames spread to squirt bottle, then to bench

top paper covers

Fire in the Hood I Propane torch lit with match Match extinguished in base bath containing ethanol/KOH

solution

Base bath ignited Extiguished with dry chemical fire extinguisher Flames ignited a broken glass disposal box

Fire on the Bench II Bunsen burner moved to close proximity to alcohol-containing

carboys. Alcohol dispensed, ignited, spilled Extinguishment attempted, failed Fire melted one carboy, adding ethanol to fire Fire extinguished by trained lab worker as sprinkler system

activated

Fire in the Hood II Heating mantle left on after reaction experiment Oil bath ignited Heating mantle de-energized Fire extinguished with dry chemical extinguisher