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
Chemical or Biological Emergency
Chemical or Biological Emergency
This type of emergency is typically associated with an accidental chemical spill or
release of toxic or flammable gas within the room. In the case of a biological
laboratory emergency, the likely event would be the possible release of a hazardous
airborne pathogen within the room.
Upon operation of a laboratory room CHEMICAL or BIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY pull
station by the room occupants should activate the appropriate ventilation system
response. In the case of a chemical or biological emergency the general response
would be to maximize the rate at which the laboratory room is ventilated. Both the
room supply and total room exhaust should be maximized and the static pressure of
the room (normally negative) may also be increased. The increased ventilation rate
will help remove contaminated room air, and the increased negative static pressure
will help prevent any of the contaminated room air from migrating to the adjacent
areas.
In addition to the ventilation system response, operation of this pull station should
also alert staff safety personnel of the emergency. In large facilities the specific
location (room number, etc.) should also be communicated along with identification
of the type of emergency.
Medical Emergency
The operation of the MEDICAL EMERGENCY pull station should summon
assistance from personnel who are specifically trained in emergency medical
procedures. This can be accomplished by automatically activating personnel paging
devices or by a facility-wide audio page that identifies the emergency and the
location via the public address system. (For example, “Attention please, a medical
emergency is indicated in room 307; all designated personnel please respond.”).
Consideration should also be given to simultaneously summoning local emergency
services (that is, ambulance, fire dept., etc.) to the facility upon a medical emergency.
A medical emergency within a chemical laboratory room might typically result from
the direct contact (face, eyes, etc.) with a hazardous chemical resulting from a
chemical spill, splash or other accident within the room. For this reason, the
activation of a medical emergency signaling device should also automatically initiate
the chemical emergency mode of the room’s ventilation system.
Medical emergency system activation should not only result from a wall type pull
station, but also by the use of any emergency equipment within the room such as a
shower, eyewash station, and so forth. For this reason, it is highly desirable to provide
emergency showers and eyewash station in each individual room that will utilize
chemicals.
Other Emergencies
Each laboratory facility may also have variations in the type and nature of potential
emergency situations (radioactive material release, noxious gas, etc.) If a specific
ventilation system operational configuration is desirable or beneficial in emergency
situations, then automatic activation of the appropriate emergency operational mode
should be a part of the ventilation and control system’s functionality.
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