The six major types of fire extinguishers and the Classes of fires they are suitable for Elements of a fire There are four necessary elements of a fire: oxidizer, heat, fuel, and an uninhibited chemical chain reaction, all represented in the “fire tetrahedron”. Heat promotes the ignition temperature of the...

The one-stop guide to working with oxidizers: from hazard classification and extinguishing oxidizer fires to mitigating risks What are oxidizers? Oxidizers (or oxidizing agents) are substances that contribute to or cause the combustion of other materials by (generally) providing oxygen. Oxidizing gases are said to contribute more than air, while...

Hazardous chemical waste disposal guide: avoid violation fines and enhance lab safety What are gases and chemicals under pressure? The first step to avoiding any penalties is determining if the waste produced in your laboratory is hazardous chemical waste according to the jurisdiction that you are in. In the United...

The one-stop guide to working with irritants: from hazard classification to mitigating risks What are irritants? Chemical irritants are substances/mixtures that may cause: (i) reversible irritation upon contact with the skin or eyes, (ii) allergic reactions (e.g. allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis), (iii) acute toxicity leading to serious adverse...

The one-stop guide to working with corrosive material: from hazard classification to tips for handling hydrofluoric acid What are corrosive substances? Corrosive materials cause irreversible damage to body surfaces or metals after exposure by means of a chemical reaction. Examples include many strong acids and bases (pH ≤ 2 or...

A guide for preventing and extinguishing electrical fires How to put out electrical fires & 6 other fires that are not compatible with water？ It is vital to stay calm, act swiftly, and use the correct extinguisher when confronted with a laboratory fire that is small enough to be contained. Take...