From: Ernie Lippert <ernielippert**At_Symbol_Here**TOAST.NET>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] pull fire alarm for chemical spills? - sodium explosion
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 22:15:02 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: 016c01cf2869$c946ef20$5bd4cd60$**At_Symbol_Here**toast.net


Someone might want to look into the history of this. During 1955-1956 there was a fire in an (research?) organic laboratory on the top floor of the Chemistry Department at the University of Minnesota. The fire department arrived and used water, causing an explosion when the water reacted with sodium present. Considerable damage resulted and there may have been loss of life. I was teaching a freshman lab on probably the first floor. Power was lost but we told to stay in place that afternoon rather than evacuate.

Regards,

Ernest Lippert

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Mike Fisher
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2014 6:11 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] pull fire alarm for chemical spills?

 

Kyle,

 

Some thoughts:

 

 

 

Michael C. Fisher
President

The CECON Group
242 N. James Street, Suite 202
Wilmington, DE 19804-3168


302.994.8000
302.994.8837 fax
mfisher**At_Symbol_Here**cecon.com
www.cecon.com

Experts at Finding Technical Experts™

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Strode, Kyle
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2014 5:22 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] pull fire alarm for chemical spills?

 

The Risk Management Committee at my college is revamping our "Emergency Protocol Guide" for campus.  Regarding chemical spills, they have asked me what should be on the chart when there is a chemical spill.

 

One member suggested that when a large spill occurs, the person should pull the fire alarm. Even for a pretty nasty spill, I am uncomfortable with that recommendation.  I am worried that

As a relatively new CHO, it seems to me that for chemical spills, the protocol would be to have a person call the FD if a chemistry professor determines that it is necessary.

 

In my teaching career, we have only had one nasty spill (boiling nitric acid spilled out of the hood and everyone started choking), which we mitigated by evacuating the lab and waiting until the lab ventilation system cleaned most of it out. Then we went in and mopped it up with bicarbonate.

 

I am interested in your thoughts, advice or experiences.

 

Kyle

 

 

Kyle Strode

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Carroll College

1601 N. Benton Ave.

Helena, MT 59625-0002

(406) 447-5564

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.