[Histonet] Fire in the lab
Very sorry to hear about this incident and thank goodness the tech didn't get injured AND used quick-thinking to grab the extinguisher and put out the fire. This incident exemplifies the (hidden) dangers inherent in the operation of labs that, often are overlooked (we haven't had a fire in 20 years!). Oftentimes, lab personnel are unaware of the powerful impact of flammable liquids, because they are used every day with no apparent adverse effects - until it is too late! Peter Peter G. Baldwin Director of Sales, Marketing Business Development pbald...@micronenvironmental.com Micron Environmental Industries, Inc. Green Chemistry for LifeSM www.MicronEnvironmental.com 1221 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-548-2776 703-548-7988/Fax ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Fire in the lab
Amazing that your tech had the presence of mind to do ALL of those things! Used to work with a couple of old school techs back in the days when folks smoked in the lab. One tech would embed with a xylene soaked rag to wipe the plate and a cigarette hanging out of her mouth. She also used an open bunsen burner to keep her forceps hotcannot tell you how many times she set fire to that rag...used her coffee to put it out most times... As Louise says--in another time and dimension. Cheryl --- On Sun, 2/28/10, histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu wrote: From: histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: Histonet Digest, Vol 75, Issue 39 To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Date: Sunday, February 28, 2010, 10:01 AM Send Histonet mailing list submissions to histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to histonet-requ...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu You can reach the person managing the list at histonet-ow...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than Re: Contents of Histonet digest... Today's Topics: 1. Re: Fire in the lab (louise renton) 2. RE: SPAM-LOW: [Histonet] ruo antibodies (Patsy Ruegg) 3. Fire in the lab (Jeffrey Silverman) 4. RELIA Histology Careers Bulletin 2/28/10 Are you into Facebook? MySpace? Twitter? or Linkedin? (Pam Barker) -- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:51:00 +0200 From: louise renton louise.ren...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [Histonet] Fire in the lab To: Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Message-ID: e483362e1002271051l711a19e9y45fc3bbf47142...@mail.gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 hey, I once set my hair on fire in the lab...singed off my eyebrows and burnt my nostril hair. It took several days for the burnt hair smell to get out of my nose!!. This too was in a time long long ago in another time dimension On Sat, Feb 27, 2010 at 12:51 AM, Joe Nocito jnoc...@satx.rr.com wrote: Once upon a time in a far away land, we used to boil our embedding molds in boiling soapy water, over an open Bunsen burner, followed by an alcohol rinse then air dry. One time the fire alarm was activated and we had to evacuate the hospital. We were out there quit awhile. When we received the all clear to go back into the hospital, I was the first one back in the lab and the fire department was there, looking into our pot that had boiled out and was smoking up the lab. This wasn't the cause of the first alarm, but it did set off the second. Joe - Original Message - From: CHRISTIE GOWAN christiego...@msn.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 8:20 AM Subject: [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) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -- Louise Renton Bone Research Unit University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa There are nights when the wolves
Re: [Histonet] Fire in the lab
hey, I once set my hair on fire in the lab...singed off my eyebrows and burnt my nostril hair. It took several days for the burnt hair smell to get out of my nose!!. This too was in a time long long ago in another time dimension On Sat, Feb 27, 2010 at 12:51 AM, Joe Nocito jnoc...@satx.rr.com wrote: Once upon a time in a far away land, we used to boil our embedding molds in boiling soapy water, over an open Bunsen burner, followed by an alcohol rinse then air dry. One time the fire alarm was activated and we had to evacuate the hospital. We were out there quit awhile. When we received the all clear to go back into the hospital, I was the first one back in the lab and the fire department was there, looking into our pot that had boiled out and was smoking up the lab. This wasn't the cause of the first alarm, but it did set off the second. Joe - Original Message - From: CHRISTIE GOWAN christiego...@msn.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 8:20 AM Subject: [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) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -- Louise Renton Bone Research Unit University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg South Africa There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls. George Carlin No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, many electrons were terribly inconvenienced. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[Histonet] Fire in the lab
Here's mine. Had a per diem tech who didn't like the electric forceps warmer. She worked over Saturdays alone and brought in an alcohol lamp to heat her forceps and then knocked it over spilling flaming alcohol all over the thermal and dispensing consoles. Then, even worse, she poured water all over both plugged- in electic appliances. We got away with just melted facade face plates on both instruments. Jeff Silverman ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
[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) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Fire in the lab
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 dkb...@chs.net CHRISTIE GOWAN christiego...@msn.com Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 02/26/2010 09:21 AM To histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject [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) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -- Disclaimer: This electronic message may contain information that is Proprietary, Confidential, or legally privileged or protected. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information it contains. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Fire in the lab
A few years back, I also had a fire break out while cleaning off the weighing instrument. There was left over powders of other chemicals on there and my gauze started on fire. So needless to say, please clean up after yourselves! It was Scary, very scary! I tried to yell for help but nothing would come out of my mouth, so I called 911. It was a lesson learned the hard way, for sure. Steph HT(ASCP) To: christiego...@msn.com From: dkb...@chs.net Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:50:08 -0500 Subject: Re: [Histonet] Fire in the lab CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 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 dkb...@chs.net CHRISTIE GOWAN christiego...@msn.com Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 02/26/2010 09:21 AM To histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject [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) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -- Disclaimer: This electronic message may contain information that is Proprietary, Confidential, or legally privileged or protected. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information it contains. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Fire in the lab
I did the same thing several years ago - caught my uniform on fire but ran to the sink and all was well in a minute - techs ran to my rescue. But then one of the gang said... Grab the marshmallows, the supervisor's on fire!... Gotta love em... Happy Friday!! J Joyce Weems Pathology Manager Saint Joseph's Hospital 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30342 678-843-7376 - Phone 678-843-7831 - Fax -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Stephanie Rosenwinkel Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 12:58 To: dkb...@chs.net; christiego...@msn.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Fire in the lab A few years back, I also had a fire break out while cleaning off the weighing instrument. There was left over powders of other chemicals on there and my gauze started on fire. So needless to say, please clean up after yourselves! It was Scary, very scary! I tried to yell for help but nothing would come out of my mouth, so I called 911. It was a lesson learned the hard way, for sure. Steph HT(ASCP) To: christiego...@msn.com From: dkb...@chs.net Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:50:08 -0500 Subject: Re: [Histonet] Fire in the lab CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 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 dkb...@chs.net CHRISTIE GOWAN christiego...@msn.com Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 02/26/2010 09:21 AM To histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject [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) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -- Disclaimer: This electronic message may contain information that is Proprietary, Confidential, or legally privileged or protected. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information it contains. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _ Hotmail
RE: [Histonet] Fire in the lab
One of those chemicals could have been chromic acid which will ignite when alcohol is introduced. One of my techs cleaned up the counter with alcohol after measuring chromic acid and we all ran for the extinguisher. She just stood there and shook her hands and stared at the flames. This was right next to all the alcohols, xylenes and stains for the HE, we did not have automation back then. Shirley -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Stephanie Rosenwinkel Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 12:58 PM To: dkb...@chs.net; christiego...@msn.com Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Fire in the lab A few years back, I also had a fire break out while cleaning off the weighing instrument. There was left over powders of other chemicals on there and my gauze started on fire. So needless to say, please clean up after yourselves! It was Scary, very scary! I tried to yell for help but nothing would come out of my mouth, so I called 911. It was a lesson learned the hard way, for sure. Steph HT(ASCP) To: christiego...@msn.com From: dkb...@chs.net Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:50:08 -0500 Subject: Re: [Histonet] Fire in the lab CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 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 dkb...@chs.net CHRISTIE GOWAN christiego...@msn.com Sent by: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu 02/26/2010 09:21 AM To histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu cc Subject [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) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet -- Disclaimer: This electronic message may contain information that is Proprietary, Confidential, or legally privileged or protected. It is intended only for the use of the individual(s) and entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately and delete the material from your computer. Do not deliver, distribute or copy this message and do not disclose its contents or take any action in reliance on the information it contains. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _ Hotmail
Re: [Histonet] Fire in the lab
Once upon a time in a far away land, we used to boil our embedding molds in boiling soapy water, over an open Bunsen burner, followed by an alcohol rinse then air dry. One time the fire alarm was activated and we had to evacuate the hospital. We were out there quit awhile. When we received the all clear to go back into the hospital, I was the first one back in the lab and the fire department was there, looking into our pot that had boiled out and was smoking up the lab. This wasn't the cause of the first alarm, but it did set off the second. Joe - Original Message - From: CHRISTIE GOWAN christiego...@msn.com To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 8:20 AM Subject: [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) ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
