Playing with Fire!

No... don't do it.

Today, I went to one of my required safety training classes, specifically, a fire safety training class, which wanted to prevent this from happening:

http://www.noob.us/humor/the-office-fire-drill/

Don't try this at your own office.

At first, I was skeptical about having to take the class, because I thought I did not need it. But it turns out, of course, that there was a lot I did not know. So I am going to share a little of what I learned with you today. 

As seen in the link, you can test the door handles to see if whatever portal is safe to open. This is necessary for a few reasons. One, there can be a fire on the other side. Two, if this is the case, opening the door will allow more air, especially oxygen, to flow in, and you know what oxygen does to fire... BOOM! But unlike the video, you should NOT use your palms to test the temperature on the door handles; instead, you should use the back of your hands to prevent your palms from being burned (so you could use the face of your hands to execute certain functions to help yourself and others escape).

Here is the Emergency Procedure the class gave me:

1.) Pull nearest alarm station.

2.) Immediately exit the building.

3.) Call 911 from a sage location.

Notice something missing from the list? I'll give you a second to think about it........

It does not tell us to use a fire extinguisher! It is not required for anyone to put out a fire... so, you can just stand there and watch the fire grow (don't).

Talking about fire extinguishers, let me tell you how to use one.

                       

After unlocking the discharge hose, you can follow the acronym PASS:

Pull the pin.
Aim low (at the base of the fire).
Squeeze the lever.
Sweep from side to side.

Another thing you should note is the extinguisher's data plate. Many have these little lables, which I had no idea existed:
                             

There is also a starred D label which is meant for flammable metals (Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, etc). So you may want to note what kind of fire extinguishers are present in your facilities.

Another fun fact about fire extinguishers: they only last about two seconds per pound (and most are about five pounds)! So all those movies and television shows you saw where the spray function was used as a substantial weapon were ALL LIES. Also, the little gauge is a liar. Even though it indicates that you are in the green (have a lot of extinguishing foam) while the extinguisher is in use,  the reality is most likely otherwise. Overtime, the gauge solidifies (if not shaken regularly).

Also, know the fire escape plan for your facility and for your own home (and if you don't have one, make one). Have a primary and secondary evacuation routes, know where the closest fire alarm and extinguishers are, have a location of refuge, and be calm. In short, be prepared. Don't be like the folks in The Office. I know you think that you won't panic if a serious fire ever started in your own home or workplace, but imagine this (for my skeptical BASIS peers): when you walk into a test, do you feel more confident and calm about what you are doing when you study? What about if you only "kind of" studied, only barely paying attention in class. Do you still know what you're doing? Being prepared gives you a calmer, and more sensible mind. So pay attention to those last minute fire drills, note where the alarms and extinguishers are, and know your route, because maybe the person you are following half-heartedy does not know what they are doing either.

Thank you for reading my brief safety procedure blog! I think this is important for all of us to know. I only have one more safety training class, and I will be able to work in the lab! I will keep you posted.