Fire is the most common serious hazard in typical laboratories. While large-scale laboratory fires are rare, the risk of severe injury or death is high due to dense fuel loads, hazardous chemicals, and the potential for rapid flame spread. Even small benchtop fires can escalate quickly, especially when flammable solvents or reactive substances are involved.
For lab managers, fire safety in the lab isn’t just about compliance—it’s about prevention, preparedness, and leadership under pressure. To create a safer lab environment, managers must take a proactive approach to both prevention and response. The following guidance outlines key strategies for reducing fire risks, responding effectively when a fire occurs, and fostering a culture of preparedness that protects people, equipment, and research.
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Understand lab fire safety risks and how to reduce hazards
To reduce fire hazards, lab managers must implement and reinforce practices that minimize ignition sources, limit fuel, and promote safe workflows. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends the following key prevention strategies:
- Plan the work: Maintain a written emergency plan specific to each lab’s risks and layout.
- Limit quantities: Keep only the minimum necessary amounts of flammable materials at workstations.
- Practice good housekeeping: Clear clutter, clean spills immediately, and return materials to storage after use.
- Use proper equipment: Store flammable liquids in explosion-proof refrigerators and approved flammable storage cabinets.
- Maintain barriers: Always keep hood sashes, shields, and lab doors closed during operations.
- Wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE): Ensure all staff are outfitted with flame-resistant lab coats, gloves, and goggles as appropriate.
- Avoid working alone: This is especially important when handling flammable or high-risk materials.
- Limit open flame use: Use flames only under fume hoods and never leave them unattended.
- Be aware: Never heat solvents on hot plates.
How to respond to laboratory fires: R.A.C.E. and P.A.S.S. protocols
In the event of a fire, lab staff must act quickly and decisively. OSHA recommends the R.A.C.E. protocol:
- Rescue anyone in immediate danger, if it is safe to do so.
- Alarm by activating the fire alarm and notifying emergency responders.
- Confine the fire by closing doors behind you.
- Evacuate the area promptly and safely.
Know your types of fire extinguishers—and how to use them
Lab managers must ensure the right extinguishers are available according to OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.157. For most labs, this includes pressurized dry chemical (ABC) or carbon dioxide units. Specialized Class D extinguishers should be on hand for flammable metal fires. According to OSHA, water-filled extinguishers are unacceptable in laboratories due to chemical and electrical hazards.
OSHA standards also specify that fire extinguishers must be placed:
- Within 75 feet for Class A risks (combustible solids)
- Within 50 feet for Class B risks (flammable liquids and gases)
Only trained individuals should attempt to extinguish small fires, and only if a clear exit path is available. Fire extinguisher training should follow OSHA’s P.A.S.S. method:
- Pull the pin.
- Aim at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the handle.
- Sweep side to side to cover the flames.
Train for laboratory fire safety: Why preparation saves lives
When fire breaks out in a lab, seconds matter. Panic, confusion, or lack of training can turn a controllable incident into a severe one. Fire safety training prepares staff to respond quickly, confidently, and correctly—saving lives and minimizing damage.
Fire safety training should include:
- Recognizing alarm sounds
- Knowing exit routes and assembly points
- Locating fire extinguishers, safety showers, and first aid kits
- Knowing when not to fight a fire
- Evacuation of individuals with disabilities
- Response to clothing fires (stop, drop, and roll or use of a fire blanket or safety shower)
Clothing fires in labs are a critical concern. If a lab coat ignites, workers should stop, drop, and roll—unless hazardous chemicals or electrical sources are present, in which case a safety shower or blanket should be used. If a coworker panics and runs, OSHA advises others to stop them and smother the flames as quickly as possible.
Know your infrastructure—and use it
Lab managers should make sure every employee knows where to find and how to use:
- Emergency exits and evacuation routes
- Fire alarm pull stations
- Fire extinguishers
- Safety showers and eyewash stations
- First aid kits and emergency phones
Additionally, OSHA cautions that any infectious materials should be placed in autoclaves, incubators, refrigerators, or freezers to contain potential biohazard spread during fire incidents.
Make fire safety in the lab part of your daily culture
Fire emergencies in laboratories rarely occur in isolation. A single incident can quickly cascade into overlapping hazards—chemical exposures, medical injuries, or equipment failures. That’s why a culture of readiness must go beyond compliance checklists and become a daily practice.
Inclusive planning is essential. Lab managers should ensure that personnel with disabilities have designated evacuation assistance and that all exit routes remain accessible at all times. Emergency preparedness must also extend to the full building: coordinate regularly with facilities teams to conduct joint drills and test system-wide response protocols.
Building a fire-ready lab culture means treating fire safety as an everyday priority—not just a once-a-year training.
Final thoughts on fire safety in the lab
Lab managers set the tone for safety culture. Fire safety isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about preparation, practice, and people. Empower your team with the tools and training they need to respond calmly and effectively when every second counts.
