Basic Documentation
Table Of Contents
- About this Application Guide
- Chapter 1–Introduction
- Chapter 2–Goals of the Laboratory Environment
- Chapter 3–Unique Ventilation Needs of a Laboratory Facility
- Chapter 4–Ventilation Systems Classification
- Chapter 5–Laboratory Facility Exhaust Systems
- Chapter 6–Laboratory Containment Units - Ventilation
- Chapter 7–Room Ventilation, Makeup Air, and Pressurization Control Systems
- Chapter 8–Laboratory Temperature and Humidity Control Systems
- Chapter 9–Laboratory Emergencies - Ventilation System Response
- Chapter 10–Laboratory Ventilation System - Validation
- Chapter 11–Laboratory Ventilation System - Commissioning
- Glossary
- Index
Chapter 9–Laboratory Emergencies -
Ventilation System Response
Chapter 9 discusses ventilation systems for laboratories designed to address
emergency situations. It includes the following topics:
• Ventilation systems for emergencies
• Fire
• Chemical or biological emergency
• Medical emergency
• Other emergencies
Ventilation Systems for Emergencies
Ventilation systems for laboratories must also be designed with appropriate control
scenarios to address emergency situations. Although the ventilation system must
protect laboratory occupants against exposure to harmful airborne substances under
normal circumstances, room ventilation can also become a vital part of an
emergency response plan. Emergencies in laboratories can result from a number of
situations; usually these involve chemical spills. Other potential emergencies include
ignition of flammable substances, accidental release of toxic gasses or airborne
pathogens, accidents involving the use of electrical equipment, glassware and so
forth. Many times one emergency can lead to others and can involve more than one
laboratory room occupant.
Laboratory emergencies can be grouped into three major categories; fire,
chemical/biological, and medical. A laboratory facility ventilation system should be
designed so it can be utilized whenever possible to assist in such emergency
situations according to a pre-established plan. Newer laboratory room designs
include emergency signaling provisions for the occupants to summon help. Such
signaling provisions can also be used to automatically initiate the appropriate
emergency operating mode of the room ventilation system.
A FIRE pull station should normally be provided at the entry to each laboratory room.
Often times additional pull stations or prominent wall mounted mushroom type
switches are also provided for other emergencies. Each separate station or switch
should be appropriately labeled as MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CHEMICAL
EMERGENCY, BIO-EMERGENCY, etc.
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All such switches should be located at
each room exit door so that the proper switch can be readily operated if the
occupants also need to quickly vacate the room.
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The CHEMICAL and MEDICAL emergency switches can also be obtained in a size and shape that matches the
familiar FIRE pull station. The only visible difference would be a label (CHEMICAL EMERGENCY, BIO EMERGENCY,
MEDICAL EMERGENCY, ETC.) and a distinguishing color. Red is normally used for fire pull stations, yellow is
typically used for chemical or biological emergencies and blue or green for a medical emergency pull station.
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