[Histonet] Fire in the lab
DKBoyd <@t> chs.net
DKBoyd <@t> chs.net
Fri Feb 26 08:50:08 CST 2010
Not exactly the same, but very similar. We had an automatic stainer by
the sink and one of the techs was washing glassware, the stainer was
running. The water apparently splashed on the wiring and a fire broke
out. We jumped into action. Just as we had been in-service. You are
correct what a mess to clean up! Fire extinquishers are wonderful but
extremely messy. We had totally taken care of the situation by the time
the fire department got here. We actually got accolades for preventing a
much larger fire. It was determined that there was some exposed wires on
the stainer.
A good lesson for all.
Debbie M. Boyd, HT(ASCP) l Chief Histologist l Southside Regional Medical
Center I
200 Medical Park Boulevard l Petersburg, Va. 23805 l T: 804-765-5050 l F:
804-765-5582 l dkboyd <@t> chs.net
CHRISTIE GOWAN <christiegowan <@t> msn.com>
Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
02/26/2010 09:21 AM
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[Histonet] Fire in the lab
Dear Histonet Friends,
I just wanted to share an incident we recently had with an old paraffin
pot. One of my techs came in on Sunday to embed some tissues, went into
the processor room and smelled something burning. He noticed our old
paraffin pot had charred looking labels on the outside so he went over,
opened the lid and poof!!! the pot went up in flames. The thermostat had
gone haywire and heated the paraffin to flash point. Opening the lid gave
it the oxygen it needed to ignite. He triggered the alarm, made the
appropriate call and then put it out with an extinguisher. Of course it
kept re-igniting because he could not get behind it to pull the plug. The
fire dept finally was able to get it pulled out and unplugged. Needless to
say the tech was shaken and the room was a mess. I applaud his courage and
am not sure I would have done the same. There was enough xylene and
alcohol on the 4 processors to cause quite an explosion but everything
else was in a flammable cabinet. I was wondering if this type of thing had
ever happened to anyone else?? Needless to say, we have de-comissioned all
old paraffin pots and will order only those with over temp safety
features. I guess I just wanted to remind everyone that fires can happen
in the lab and do probably more often than we hear about. This was the
first time for me and I have been in this business for over 20 years. Take
care and be safe.
Christie Gowan HT (ASCP)
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