[Histonet] Fire in the lab

[DKBoyd <@t> chs.net]

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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