Al
Another reference is paragraph 5.5 of BS IEC 60825-8 (Guidelines for the
safe use of medical laser equipment)
"Where laser procedures are likely to cause fires, consideration may be
given to providing CO2 fire extinguishers in a readily accessible
position near or inside the operating theatre"
Obviously this depends on the outcome of a risk assessment as to whether
the particular "laser procedures are likely to cause fires". It's
interesting that this paragraph doesn't consider the possibility of an
electrical fire in the laser power supply.
Ian
Dr Ian Gillan
Medical Physics
Forster Green Hospital
110 Saintfield Road
Belfast BT8 4HD
-----Original Message-----
From: Al Crawford [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 27 October 2005 09:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Lasers and fire extinguishers[Scanned]
Hi,
We're having a bit of trouble with a new fire officer here, and could do
with some help!
Basically I was wondering if there's any recommendation anywhere about
the need to have a fire extinguisher in a room or theatre when there's a
Class 4 laser in use. The only bits of advice I can find in writing on
this are from a 2003 document by the National Care Standards Commission
(as was) saying that "there should be an appropriate fire extinguisher
in the near vicinity of a laser" plus of course the 1995 MDA Guidance
document which says that "there should be easy access to an appropriate
fire extinguisher".
For many years we've insisted that there be a CO2 extinguisher mounted
inside a laser room or theatre, and in our rules we say that laser users
should know where the extinguisher is and how to use it in the event of
any incident.
This new fire officer is saying that he doesn't see the need to have an
extinguisher in the room, since there is one nearby (actually down the
corridor and round the corner - I have visions of people rushing
frantically in all directions trying to find the wretched thing!). He
would, however, concede the use of a fire blanket within the room or
theatre.
Does anyone know of any concrete advice or recommendation that we could
throw at him on this one, or indeed any consensus view among LPAs (if
such a thing is possible!) on this topic? Or should we just go along
with what he's saying?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
Al.
--
Dr Al Crawford
Medical Physics Department
Queen's Medical Centre
Nottingham NG7 2UH
UK
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