scope:

This standard shall apply to laboratory buildings, laboratory units, and laboratory work areas whether located above or below grade in which chemicals, as defined, are handled or stored.

This standard shall not apply to the following:

(1)*If conditions (a) and (b) exist, this standard shall not apply:

(a) Laboratory units that contain less than or equal to 4 L (1 gal) of flammable or combustible liquid

(b) Laboratory units that contain less than 2.2 standard m³ (75 scf) of flammable gas, not including piped-in low-pressure utility gas installed in accordance with NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code

(2)*Laboratories that are pilot plants

(3) Laboratories that handle only chemicals with a hazard rating of zero or one, as defined by NFPA704, Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response, for all of the following: health, flammability, and instability

(4) Laboratories that are primarily manufacturing plants

(5) Incidental testing facilities

(6) Physical, electronic, instrument, laser, or similar laboratories that use chemicals only for incidental purposes, such as cleaning

7)*Hazards associated with radioactive materials, as covered by NFPA 801, Standard for Fire Protection for Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials

(8) Laboratories that work only with explosive material, as covered by NFPA 495, Explosive Materials Code

This standard contains requirements, but not all-inclusive requirements, for handling and storage of chemicals where laboratory-scale operations are conducted and shall not cover the following:

(1) The special fire protection required when handling explosive materials (See NFPA 495, Explosive Materials Code.)

(2) The special fire protection required when handling radioactive materials

Purpose.

The purpose of this standard shall be to provide basic requirements for the protection of life and property through prevention and control of fires and explosions involving the use of chemicals in laboratory-scale operations.

This standard is designed to control hazards and protect personnel from the toxic, corrosive, or other harmful effects of chemicals to which personnel might be exposed as a result of fire or explosion.

The goal of this standard shall be to achieve a comprehensive laboratory fire prevention and protection program to prevent injury or death to occupants and emergency response personnel.

The objectives of this standard shall be as follows:

(1) Limit injury to the occupants at the point of fire origin

(2) Limit injury to emergency response personnel

(3) Limit property loss to a maximum of a single laboratory unit

It is not the objective of this standard to address financial losses such as business interruption or property loss when the loss of a laboratory unit is unacceptable.