First, I would assume that all your tissue processors are closed
systems. There are no codes as to separating tissue processors if they
are closed systems.
Second, is the flammable cabinet you have rated for 70 gallon? It
should have a self closing door on it.
Third, do you have an AFE system for this room?
I would agree that the bottom line is what the local fire code and
marshall have to say about the area.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of
Mitchell, Jeannette M.
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 5:36 AM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] histology regs
Help !!
Does anyone know what fire codes REALLY apply to histology labs and how
did one justify having a tissue processor in less than 500 square feet
without a fire barrier around it ?
The reason I ask is :
We have a 10x22' tissue processing workroom with 5 routine processors,
one recycling system,
and explosion cabinets containing xylene, toluene, and ethanol.
Overall we have approx. 70 gallons of etoh and solvents in this 220'
room.
We have been told by an independent industrial hygienist that we should
only have 4.4 gallons (or 2 gallons per 100 square feet) of combustibles
in this room and each tissue processor should be separated from the
other by "1 hour construction" (some type of barrier that would take an
hour to burn through) according to NFPA 99 Chapter 11.
I have visited many histology labs in the New England area and I have
never seen tissue processors separated by 1 hour burn barriers or
processors in separate 500 sq. foot rooms (10 gallons of combustibles
per processor would require this space).
I have asked for a second opinion as this is not practical, rational, or
feasible.
PLEASE share your experience with fire regs in your lab ~
Thanks !
Jude Carpenter, BS, HTL (ASCP)
Supervisor of Histology/Surgical Pathology/Autopsy
Fletcher Allen Healthcare
EP2-101/ACC
111 Colchester Ave.
Burlington, VT 05401
(802)847-5116
FAX (802)847-4155
jude.carpenter@vtmednet.org
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