New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
He - Department of Health and Human Services
Subtitle He-P - Former Division of Public Health Services
Chapter He-P 800 - RESIDENTIAL CARE AND HEALTH FACILITY RULES
Part He-P 808 - LABORATORIES AND LABORATORY SERVICES RULES
Section He-P 808.22 - Emergency and Fire Safety

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules He-P 808.22

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) Laboratories shall meet the requirement in the applicable chapters and sections of the state fire code and state building code.

(b) An emergency and fire safety program shall be developed and implemented based upon the hazards present in the lab.

(d) At least one fire extinguisher shall be located on every level of the facility or every 75 feet of corridor, type based on the hazards present in the lab, and be:

(1) Manually inspected when initially placed in service; and

(2) Inspected either manually or by means of an electronic monitoring device or system at intervals not exceeding 31 days.

(e) A carbon monoxide monitor shall be located on every level.

(f) Immediately following any fire or emergency situation, excluding a false alarm, licensees shall notify the department by phone and follow up with written notification within 72 hours.

(g) The written notification under (f) above shall include:

(1) The date and time of the incident;

(2) A description of the location and extent of the incident, including any damage;

(3) A description of events preceding and following the incident;

(4) The name of any personnel or patients who required medical treatment as a result of the incident, if applicable; and

(5) The name of the individual the licensee authorizes the department to contact if additional information is required.

(h) Storage of flammable gases or liquids shall be within an enclosed interior space constructed of noncombustible or limited-combustible construction. If stored outdoors, storage shall be in an enclosure with doors or gates, that can be secured against unauthorized entry.

(i) Oxidizing gases, such as oxygen and nitrous oxide, shall:

(1) Not be stored with any flammable gas, liquid, or vapor;

(2) Be separated from combustibles or incompatible materials by:

a. A minimum distance of 20 ft or 6.1 meters;

b. A minimum distance of 5 ft or 1.5 meters if the entire storage location is protected by an automatic sprinkler system designed in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems; or

c. An approved, enclosed flammable liquid storage cabinet of noncombustible construction having a minimum fire protection rating of one-half hour for cylinder storage; and

(3) Be secured in an upright position, such as with racks or chains.

(j) All freestanding tanks of compressed gases shall be firmly secured to the adjacent wall, or secured in a stand or rack, except for in mobile laboratory vans, where they shall be secured during transport as required by the state fire code.

(k) Flammable gases and liquids shall be stored in metal fire retardant cabinets, except when located in a mobile laboratory van, where they shall be secured during transport as required by the state fire code.

(l) Quantities of flammable gases and liquids under 500 milliliters may be retained at the bench work area when directly in use.

(m) A precautionary sign, readable from a distance of 5 ft or 1.5 meters, shall be conspicuously displayed on each door or gate of the storage room or enclosure, and shall include, at a minimum, the following: "CAUTION, OXIDIZING GAS(ES) STORED WITHIN - NO SMOKING".

(n) Precautionary signs, readable from a distance of 5 ft or 1.5 meters, and with language such as "OXYGEN IN USE, NO SMOKING", shall be conspicuously displayed wherever supplemental oxygen is in use and in aisles and walkways leading to the area of use, and shall be attached to adjacent doorways or to building walls or be supported by other appropriate means.

(o) The laboratory shall develop a fire safety plan, which includes the following:

(1) Use of alarms;

(2) Transmission of alarms to fire department;

(3) Emergency phone call to fire department;

(4) Response to alarms;

(5) Isolation of fire;

(6) Evacuation of immediate area;

(7) Evacuation of smoke compartment;

(8) Preparation of floors and building(s) for evacuation;

(9) Extinguishment of fire; and

(10) List of written emergency telephone numbers for key personnel, fire and police departments, poison control center, 911, and ambulance service(s).

(p) Fire drills shall be conducted quarterly on each shift to familiarize facility personnel including, but not limited to, medical personnel, maintenance engineers, and administrative personnel, with the signals and emergency action required under varied conditions.

(q) Fire drills shall include the transmission of a fire alarm signal and simulation of emergency fire conditions.

(r) Facilities shall complete written records of fire drills and include the following:

(1) The date and time, including AM or PM, the fire drill was conducted and if the actual fire alarm system was used;

(2) The location of exits used;

(3) The number of people participating at the time of the fire drill;

(4) The amount of time taken to completely evacuate the facility or to an approved area of refuge or through a horizontal exit;

(5) The name and title of the person conducting the fire drill;

(6) A list of all problems and issues encountered during the fire drill;

(7) A list of improvements and resolutions to the issues encountered during the fire drill; and

(8) The names of all personnel participating in the fire drill.

(s) Written records of the fire drills shall be maintained on site and available to the department during an inspection or investigation conducted in accordance with RSA 151:6 and RSA 151:6-a.

(t) At no time shall a personnel member who has not participated in a fire drill be the only personnel member on duty within the facility.

(u) The facility shall conduct a fire drill in the presence of a representative of the department, state fire marshal's office, or the local fire department upon request.

(v) A written plan for fire safety, evacuation, and emergencies shall be adopted and posted in multiple locations throughout the laboratory.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Hampshire may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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