[EHSResearchers] 12 Months of Research Safety - Lab Fire Prevention

[Patrick Monnig]

Hello EH&S Researchers,

In the last two months there have been multiple fires on campus. Two fires
were in research spaces, and one was in a building that stored research
equipment. Due to the severity of the first fire, UCR received an
inspection of the impacted building by the Office of the State Fire
Marshal, which identified items that need to be corrected. We expect to
have state fire safety inspections in other buildings on campus in the near
future, looking for the same types of fire risks.

The worst outcome from a fire would be loss of life or injury.  Luckily in
all of the recent fires, no injuries were suffered by anyone from UCR.
Beyond injury, there can be financial impacts from loss of equipment or
research material, and professional impacts from delays in research due to
work stoppage and rebuilding and replacing lost materials.

In the attached flier is a summary of focus areas that impact research
spaces, based on findings from the state fire marshal. Review these in your
spaces on campus, including in offices and shared spaces. Keep up with
training <https://ehs.ucr.edu/document/12monthsofresearchsafetyjanuary2025>,
and be aware of emergency procedures
<https://emergency.ucr.edu/emergency-flip-chart> for your space. Download
the new UCR Safe app <https://emergency.ucr.edu/ucrsafe> to your phone for
invaluable resources for safety on campus.

These items and more are covered by our lab safety evaluations
<https://ehs.ucr.edu/laboratory/laboratory-evaluation> which happen
annually in research spaces.  If you would like to have EH&S review your
research space for preparedness, please contact ehslaboratory at ucr.edu.

All our previous 12 Months of Research Safety flyers are available on our
website at https://ehs.ucr.edu/laboratory/12monthsofresearchsafety.
 Subscription to this listserv is based on membership in an active LHAT and
is updated monthly.

Thanks,
Patrick
-- 

*Patrick Monnig*
Chemical Hygiene Officer/Lab Safety Program Manager



UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
Environmental Health & Safety
900 University Avenue | Riverside, CA 92521
(951) 827-4254 | patrick.monnig at ucr.edu
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