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FDNY NOV Preventive
Measures For a consultation before the FDNY inspector gets around to your lab, or for any question, concern, or help, please contact your Laboratory Safety Officer.
As an aid to laboratories in avoiding FDNY Notices of Violation (NOV), EH&S distributes monthly FDNY inspection findings which resulted in an NOV citation to an actual CU laboratory on either the Morningside or Medical Center campus. These real life scenarios are meant to assist you in ensuring that such conditions do not exist in your laboratory. June, 2008 #14 - During a routine weekly lab inspection the FDNY inspector found a compressed gas cylinder that was improperly secured. On further inspection, the compressed gas cylinder was found to be secured by a cylinder clamp to electrical conduit running along the wall. The lab manager was reminded that compressed gas cylinders must be secured to substantial objects such as counter tops, or properly mounted wall hooks. FDNY Rules prohibit the securing of compressed gas cylinders to electrical or plumbing conduits. The Fire inspector issued a NOV for improperly securing a compressed gas cylinder. May, 2008 #13 - During his weekly lab inspection, the FDNY inspector revisited a laboratory inspected several months earlier. During the previous inspection, he issued a Violation Order (VO) for expired chemicals, specifically 2-Propanol, which had been opened in December 2006. Upon re-inspection he found the lab had the same (or a similar) bottle of 2-Propanol stored in the flammable storage cabinet. He reminded the lab that secondary alcohols that can form peroxides have a shelf life of one-year from date of opening, and then issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the lab. The lab is now responsible for properly disposing of the 2-Propanol and having EH&S certify the correction and return the paperwork to the Fire Department. Failure to correct and return the NOV to the Fire Department in the allotted time frame (35 days) could result in a mandatory Environmental Control Board (ECB) appearance and a fine. April, 2008 #12 - During a regular inspection of labs at Columbia, the FDNY inspector found that a lab was in excess of its flammable liquid storage limits and subsequently issued a Notice of Violation (NOV). Each laboratory at Columbia is issued a fire rating based on the composition of the walls and doors as well as the presence or absence of sprinklers. This fire rating is accompanied by a maximum limit for the storage of flammables materials. To find out the fire rating of your lab and its flammable material storage limits, contact EH&S. March, 2008 #11 - As part of his weekly rounds, the FDNY inspector visited a lab and inspected its chemical storage areas. FDNY regulations mandate that all acids must be stored with chemical-resistant liners or spill trays, and never on bare metal. February, 2008 #10 - The FDNY Inspector made a random visit to a lab. Upon entering the lab, he saw a researcher having his breakfast, with a cup of coffee and a bagel on the bench. The researcher continued to drink his coffee and eat his bagel as the FDNY Inspector approached. The inspector asked the researcher if they are aware of the sign on the lab door which prohibits eating, drinking and smoking in the lab. As a result, the researcher was asked to remove his food from the lab and the FDNY inspector issued a NOV. January, 2008 #9 - As part of his regular rounds, the FDNY Laboratory Inspector visited a small laboratory crowded with research materials. The Inspector noted that cardboard boxes were piled high on laboratory bench shelves, reaching to the ceiling. The Inspector issued a warning to the laboratory that combustible material may NOT be stored closer than 18" to the ceiling in which sprinklers are mounted. When the Inspector returned to follow-up several months later, it was apparent that the lab had not corrected the situation, and a NOV was issued. As a result, the lab was given 30 days to correct the situation, or a summons to the NYC Environmental Control Board (ECB) would be issued. December, 2007 #8 - While escorting the FDNY Inspector on his regular rounds, EH&S was called to respond to a small fire in a laboratory. Upon reaching the scene, EH&S staff were relieved to discover that the fire was smothered using the fire extinguisher in the lab, that no one was injured, and that there was only cosmetic damage to the facility. Interviews with laboratory personnel indicated that the fire began when a small, lighted alcohol torch tipped over and spilled its contents, which ignited along with papers on the work surface. Digging deeper into the source of the fire, it was learned that the alcohol torch was being operated without its protective cap in place, which had been lost. Laboratory equipment, if not used properly, has the potential to create hazardous conditions. Always verify the integrity of equipment before beginning work and report any suspected problems to supervisors or EH&S. November, 2007 #7 - While escorting the FDNY Inspector on his regular rounds, EH&S staff noticed an odd burning odor on a lab floor. Upon investigation, it was determined that a Western Blot, conducted in a cold room, had overheated and melted the plastic buffer tank. The cause of the heat build-up was found to be a stir-plate short circuit, resultant from contact with liquid. The FDNY inspector noted that the immediate danger had passed and continued on his rounds, leaving EH&S to determine the cause of the incident and future prevention measures, and the lab to clean the mess. Interviews with laboratory personnel indicated that crushed ice was placed beneath the stir-plate in an attempt to cool the procedure. Electrical equipment must be protected from contact with conductive liquids (such as water) at all times! Not all hazards encountered in the research environment come from chemicals; physical hazards from electrical equipment, compressed gases, cryogenic materials, and blunt forces must also be considered. For assistance in recognizing and controlling physical and chemical hazards in your lab, please contact your Laboratory Safety Officer. October, 2007 #6 - While inspecting a laboratory, the FDNY inspector found a bottle of 2-Propanol with an expired shelf life. This chemical is good for only one year from the opening date. The inspector reminded the lab not to store chemicals that are out of date because there is a potential for these to form peroxides which at times might be explosive, and then a Notice of Violation (NOV) was issued to the lab. September, 2007 #5 - During a weekly random laboratory inspection, the FDNY inspector found a small test tube labeled "70% ethanol in water solution" stored in a regular refrigerator. Alcohol, regardless of the quantity, can only be placed in a chemical storage refrigerator or explosion-proof refrigerator. When questioned, the laboratory researcher explained that the vial was being chilled for use in an experiment that day. The Inspector reminded the laboratory that flammables cannot be stored in an ordinary refrigerator and issued a NOV. August, 2007 #4 - During a weekly random laboratory inspection, the FDNY inspector noticed a Nitrogen compressed gas tank that was not secured. The strap was hanging loose, and the lab manager stated that the supplier's representative had delivered the cylinder that morning. The Inspector reminded the laboratory that it is their responsibility to make sure all tanks are secured, and issued a NOV. see attached cylinder photo.  July, 2007 #3 – During a weekly random laboratory inspection, the FDNY inspector asked “who is the Certificate of Fitness (COF) holder for this lab or for the floor”? Turns out a COF holder for the laboratory was not present at the time of the inspection. The Inspector reminded the PI that it is their responsibility to ensure that a COF holder is present on the floor or in the lab when the laboratory is in operation (including weekends, nights and holidays), and then issued an NOV. To obtain a Certificate of Fitness, visit our website at http://www.ehrs.columbia.edu/COFreq.html. FDNY allows EH&S to administer the test onsite to applicants who meet the FDNY educational requirements. EH&S pays the test fee and its renewal every three years. We strongly recommend each lab have at least one Certificate of Fitness holder. June, 2007 #2 – During weekly laboratory inspection rounds, the FDNY inspector found a chemical bottle wrapped in aluminum foil that he determined to be in violation of FDNY regulations. When the foil was removed, the bottle was clearly labeled as a bottle of glycerol-a relatively benign substance, but still subject to FDNY regulation. FDNY regulations require chemical containers to be clearly and visibly labeled to indicate their contents at all times. While the manufacturer’s label was on the bottle itself, the foil wrapper prevented the label from being seen. The Inspector reminded the laboratory staff that it is their responsibility to make sure all chemical containers are clearly labeled and then issued a Notice of Violation (NOV). May, 2007
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