From: Samuella Sigmann <sigmannsb**At_Symbol_Here**APPSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] lab occupancies and fire codes
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2014 22:58:36 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: 54812D6C.6000102**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu
In-Reply-To


Ours is the same in NC.� To further clarify, according to our fire person that 50 sq ft/person has to be unobstructed with permanent structures.� We can't count the lab bench area - only the open floor space.�

I have never measured our floor space - I might be afraid to...
S-

On 12/4/2014 7:29 PM, Debbie M. Decker wrote:

50 square feet per student �?? our teaching labs are about 1200 square feet and so we accommodate 24 students in lab.

It�??s in the fire code in California.� Your mileage may vary.

Best,

Debbie M. Decker, CCHO

Safety Manager

Department of Chemistry

University of California, Davis

122 Chemistry

1 Shields Ave.

Davis, CA� 95616

(530)754-7964

(530)304-6728

dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu

Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction

that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,

can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Melissa Charlton-Smith
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2014 6:11 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] lab occupancies and fire codes

HI everybody,

This has probably been hashed over before, but it is a situation that may be cropping up at my institution and I need some �??ammo�??.� Are there and NFPA codes that anyone is aware of that limits the occupancy of a lab?� I believe that 60-70 sq ft per person is recommended, but I am unable to find any code that specifically states that.� I don�??t want our local fire marshal to �??have a cow�?? if the school overloads a lab.� I already have all my safety arguments lined out, but I�??d like some solid regs and/or codes behind me as well.

You know how these things can crop up�?|you think you�??ve drilled it into their collective heads that they can or can�??t do something, but sometimes it seems to fall on deaf ears and then you are forced to be the bad guy and say LOOK at the regs!� You CAN�??T do this. Look at the liabilities (gotto throw up those $$$ signs).

Thanks all,

Mel

Mel Charlton-Smith

Chemistry Lab Coordinator, CHO-NRCC

Coordinator of BS-CHS program, Lecturer

WVWC �?? Chemistry Dept.

CHS-319

59 College Ave

Buckhannon, WV 26201

charltonsmith**At_Symbol_Here**wvwc.edu

304-473-8355


--

********************************************************************************************
We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. � We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do everything with nothing.
Teresa Arnold

Samuella B. Sigmann, NRCC-CHO
Lecturer/Safety Committee Chair
A. R. Smith Department of Chemistry
Appalachian State University
525 Rivers Street
Boone, NC� � 28608
Phone: 828 262 2755
Fax: 828 262 6558
Email:
sigmannsb**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu

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