Summer 2011 T he discovery of fire and how to use it is probably one of the most important discoveries ever. Fire has the power to keep us warm or cool. It can light our path or cook our meals. It pro- duces energy to drive our machines and can save our life. However, this simple word strikes fear in all of us. Some of the most tragic events ever involved fire; the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911 started the modern fire safety movement. The fire resulting from the collision of two Boeing 747 aircraft in Tenerife contributed to the worst aviation disaster ever. We all remember or have seen the pictures of the 1986 Challenger explosion and fire. The fires from the 9- 11 terrorist acts will forever remain in our memories. On a note closer to home, fires at OHIO have also been significant. The fire in Bromley Hall caused extensive damage, and there was also a fire in a Clippinger lab. On April 30 of this year, another fire occurred in a Clippinger Lab. A detailed investigation revealed some interesting facts. The fire was caused when a desiccator overheated. The over- heating occurred because the air circulation needed to cool the unit was restricted. The unit had been modified to reduce the noise, and this modification restricted the airflow around the desiccator. The resultant fire destroyed the inte- rior of the room. There is always some good in everything. Some very alert graduate students who were studying in the building, smelled smoke and call OUPD who notified AFD. The room, as it was designed to do, contained the fire and prevented its spread to adjacent rooms. The fire alarm system functioned as it was designed to, even though there are no room detectors and no sprinklers. We can learn some valuable lessons from this incident. Look at your work area. If you have a drop ceiling, are all the tiles in place? These will help prevent the spread of the fire. Do you know how to report a fire? It’s simple; just call OUPD at 3- 1911 or just 911. Do you know where the nearest pull station is? You should! Do you have equipment that has been altered over the years to meet a special need? If you do, call OU EHS Fire Section at 3-1665 and we will check it out for you. Do you know where the nearest fire extinguisher is located? Do you know how to use it? Find it and we can help you learn how to use it. Are the fire protection detectors and sprinklers covered or obstructed in any manner? Move the obstruction or call us for help. The Bottom Line Be aware of your sur- roundings Become familiar with the fire and life safety devices which can save your life Call us if you have any questions or concerns… Joe Adams AVP Risk Management & Safety http://www.ohio.edu/riskandsafety/ehs/general/ Clippinger fire teaches valuable fire safety lessons this issue Meet the Student Staff P.2 Picnics and Food Safety P.3 Fighting Ticks P.5 Preventing Heat Illness P.5 CAMPUS AMPUS CONNECTION ONNECTION is published quarterly by the Ohio University Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Joe Adams, [email protected]By Joe Adams, Associate Vice President
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Transcript
Summer
2011
T he discovery of fire and how to use it is probably one of the
most important discoveries ever. Fire has the power to keep us
warm or cool. It can light our path or cook our meals. It pro-
duces energy to drive our machines and can save our life.
However, this simple word strikes fear in all of us. Some of the
most tragic events ever involved fire; the Triangle Shirtwaist
Factory fire in 1911 started the modern fire safety movement.
The fire resulting from the collision of two Boeing 747 aircraft in Tenerife
contributed to the worst aviation disaster ever. We all remember or have seen
the pictures of the 1986 Challenger explosion and fire. The fires from the 9-
11 terrorist acts will forever remain in our memories.
On a note closer to home, fires at OHIO have also been significant. The
fire in Bromley Hall caused extensive damage, and there was also a fire in a
Clippinger lab. On April 30 of this year, another fire occurred in a Clippinger
Lab. A detailed investigation revealed some interesting facts. The fire was
caused when a desiccator overheated. The over-
heating occurred because the air circulation
needed to cool the unit was restricted. The unit
had been modified to reduce the noise, and this
modification restricted the airflow around the
desiccator. The resultant fire destroyed the inte-
rior of the room. There is always some good in
everything. Some very alert graduate students
who were studying in the building, smelled
smoke and call OUPD who notified AFD. The
room, as it was designed to do, contained the fire
and prevented its spread to adjacent rooms. The
fire alarm system functioned as it was designed
to, even though there are no room detectors and
no sprinklers. We can learn some valuable lessons from this incident.
Look at your work area. If you have a drop ceiling, are all the tiles in
place? These will help prevent the spread of the fire.
Do you know how to report a fire? It’s simple; just call OUPD at 3-
1911 or just 911.
Do you know where the nearest pull station is? You should!
Do you have equipment that has been altered over the years to meet a
special need? If you do, call OU EHS Fire Section at 3-1665 and we
will check it out for you.
Do you know where the nearest fire extinguisher is located? Do you
know how to use it? Find it and we can help you learn how to use it.
Are the fire protection detectors and sprinklers covered or obstructed in
any manner? Move the obstruction or call us for help. The Bottom Line
Be aware of your sur-
roundings
Become familiar with
the fire and life safety
devices which can save
your life
Call us if you have any
questions or concerns…
Joe Adams
AVP Risk
Management &
Safety
http://www.ohio.edu/riskandsafety/ehs/general/
Clippinger fire teaches valuable fire safety lessons
this issue
Meet the Student Staff P.2
Picnics and Food Safety P.3
Fighting Ticks P.5
Preventing Heat Illness P.5
CCAMPUSAMPUS CCONNECTIONONNECTION is published quarterly by the Ohio
University Department of Environmental Health and Safety.