Emergencies

The University has established an emergency response protocol to address and handle emergencies occurring on, or adjacent to University property. All emergency conditions should be promptly reported by calling 911. This chapter reviews the Emergency Response Plan for the MRC and provides details relevant to the clean room facilities.

NCSU Emergency Information
Evacuation

Evacuate the facility when:

  • Building Power failure occurs
  • Hazardous Gas Alert in Gas Cabinet or in Tool (yellow light)
  • Hazardous Gas Danger in Room (red light & horn)
  • Exhaust failure (yellow light)
  • Fire alarm sounds (piercing)
  • Major Chemical spill occurs

Evacuation Procedures:

  • Leave the facility as quickly as possible through nearest exit. All exits out of the lab can be Emergency Exits.
  • As you exit, visually survey your work area to see if anyone has been left in the facility.  If so, immediately report your findings to NNF staff or Emergency Response personnel.
  • Leave your clean room attire on. DO NOT TAKE TIME TO UNDRESS OR LOGOUT!
  • Personnel working in the NNF should meet at the South end of the brickyard plaza.

NOTE: Most process tools are equipped with alarms that do not warrant facility evacuation. However, always investigate tool alarms, even if you are not working on the tool. When possible, isolate a system in a “safe” condition.

Fire Safety

The MRC is a fully sprinkled, fire resistive building. The fire alarm system for the building consists of pull stations, smoke detectors, heat detectors, and sprinklers. The cleanroom gas monitoring system is connected to the building fire alarm system. All these devices are connected to annunciation alarm panels (alpha-numeric display), which can give an exact location and device in alarm to emergency response personnel. The panel is located in the MRC Lobby. The system is served by a non-interruptible power supply. The system documents all alarm and trouble events. In event of an alarm, alert tones are issued through combination horn/strobes. Simultaneously, the alarm is transmitted to Public Safety. The Public Safety Communications Officer has written procedures in place for notification and response to alarms. NC State Public Safety responds to all fire alarms. Any activation of the fire alarm horns and strobes requires immediate building evacuation. Do not re-enter the building unless authorized by appropriate personnel.

The wet benches are protected by RP-1002 an Agent Release Control System and Notifier. This system controls both smoke and flame detectors throughout the hoods. These detectors are wired to the Notifier control panel located near the hood. When smoke or fire is detected by one of these devices, the system will discharge one CO2 cylinder per hood. It will also activate the building fire alarm. This system also has a manual release at each wet bench, which is for emergency use only. If you see a fire prior to automatic release of the CO2, activate the manual release. Activation of the manual release will activate the building fire alarm.

In the event of a building fire alarm, Air Handler Units (AHU) 3, 4a, and 4b, which bring fresh outside air, will shut down. Once the fire panel has been reset, AHU 3, 4a, and 4b will come back on line automatically. Re-circulation fans do not shut off during a fire alarm.

If you identify a fire in progress, pull the manual fire alarm. Only trained individuals should use a fire extinguisher.

Other Safety Features:

  • 500 KW emergency generators, which supplies power to all life safety systems including cleanroom and gas storage area, exhaust systems.
  • ABC type fire extinguishers are in the hallways of each floor. The distance between fire extinguishers does not exceed 75 feet. Every laboratory has a fire extinguisher. Public Safety Fire Protection Division checks fire extinguishers monthly. Only use fire extinguishers if you have received training.
  • Emergency eye washes and safety showers are located in the hallway approximately every 75 feet and in cleanroom areas.
  • The southeast side atrium stairwell is isolated by “fire shutters” which close when two smoke detectors in that area activate.
  • All laboratory and corridor doors are fire rated. The design requires that doors be closed at all times, unless they are controlled by the fire alarm system.
  • The fire alarm system is connected to Public Safety and monitored 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The Public Safety Communications Officer has standard operating procedures, specific computer alarm text information, and a direct line to the Raleigh Police and Fire Dispatcher. The standard operating procedures followed by the Communications Officer is to notify other responsible parties including the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) of an alarm condition.
Accidents and Injuries

 

In case of a serious accident that requires immediate medical attention:

  1. Call Public Safety (911).When you call 911, be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include:
    • The location of the emergency, including the street address
      • The cleanroom is in MRC 240; 2410 Campus Shore Dr. Raleigh
    • The phone number you are calling from
    • The nature of the emergency
    • Details about the emergency, such as a physical description of a person who may have committed a crime, a description of any fire that may be burning, or a description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency

    Remember, the call-taker’s questions are important to get the right kind of help to you quickly.

    Be prepared to follow any instructions the call-taker gives you. Many 911 centers can tell you exactly what to do to help in an emergency until help arrives, such as providing step-by-step instructions to aid someone who is choking or needs first aid or CPR.

    Finally, do not hang up until the call-taker instructs you to.

     

  2. Administer the following first aid procedures whenever possible:
    1. NEVER MOVE OR LIFT AN ACCIDENT VICTIM UNLESS THEY ARE IN DANGER OF FURTHER INJURY.
    2. If victim must be pulled to safety, move his body lengthwise and headfirst, with his head and neck carefully supported.
    3. If the victim’s injuries will permit, summon and wait for trained medical help to arrive.
    4. While waiting for help, stay with victim and monitor them while providing comfort.

When injury requires immediate action due to chemical exposure, one of the following may be done while awaiting medical assistance:

Chemical Contact With Skin:

  1. Flush with water for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Remove contaminated clothing while water rinsing,
  3. Get medical attention.

Hydrofluoric acid and mixtures containing HF may not cause an immediate burn sensation; however, it can result in severe burns. Calcium Gluconate gel can be applied after thorough water rinse, prior to seeking medical attention.  Gel is not located in first aid kit, but in the Wafer Cleaning Hood for quicker access.

Chemical Contact With Eyes:

  1. Flush with water for at least 15 minutes for acids/solvents. Alkalis should be flushed 30-60 minutes. While flushing, lift upper and lower eyelids.
  2. Get medical attention as quick as possible, regardless of how eyes feel.

Chemical Spills Inside Fume Hood:

Solvents:

  1. Eliminate source of ignition or sparks.
  2. Use spill pillows or towels to clean up spill.
  3. Transfer absorbed solvent to Ziploc™ bag provided and send out has hazardous waste.

Acids and bases:

  1. Use appropriate neutralizer to neutralize spill. This is indicated by color change.
  2. Use spill pillows until all liquid is absorbed.
  3. Transfer to trash and throw material away.

Hydrofluoric Acid (HF):
Any spill with HF requires notification of Environmental Health & Safety using 5-3000 (Public Safety). Tell them it is not an emergency and does not require Raleigh Haz. Mat. Response team.

CAUTION: If any acids or bases contact your skin or clothes, use emergency showers or eyewashes. Remove clothing, when necessary, while under the shower.

Chemical Spills Outside Wet Benches (over one liter):

  1. Evacuate facility immediately.
  2. Call Campus Public Safety Office (ext. 5-3000) and tell them that you require emergency assistance from Environmental Health & Safety; unless you require outside assistance such as medical services, call 911.
  3. Do not re-enter facility until cleared by authorized staff personnel and/Emergency Response Commander.


Electrical Shock:
Remove source of energy as soon as possible. Use a long wooden handle or dry towel when moving “live” wires or equipment. Check the victim for pulse and breathing. If necessary, administer artificial respiration and/or CPR. Call 911.

Swallowed Poisons:
Call Poison Control Center at 7 – 1 – (800) – 848-6946. Call 911.

Bleeding:
While wearing clean gloves hold a clean cloth pad directly on the wound and apply direct pressure to the wound. Do not apply a tourniquet. Call 911.

Not Breathing:
Start artificial respiration as soon as possible. Call 911.

Fractures:
Do not move victim unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. Call 911.

Thermal Burns:
Do not attempt to remove clothing. Call 911. 

Emergency Response

 

All emergencies must be immediately reported by calling 911. The caller must provide specific information about the type and location of the emergency.

  • Dial 911
  • Identify yourself
  • State location of incident MRC, Room #
  • In stating the incident, describe clearly so that the dispatcher knows exactly what services you need, i.e., Environmental Health & Safety, medical only or fire and medical.
  • Do not hang up until after the dispatcher has hung up.

If cleanroom or building evacuation is required, pull the fire alarm.

Public Safety is responsible for responding to alarms and reported incidents. Public Safety notifies other emergency services as needed. Gas and chemical incidents are handled with the guidance of the Principal Investigator, and other trained cleanroom personnel if necessary. In the event none of trained personnel is available, the caller(s) in the emergency should identify themselves to emergency response personnel.

After Hours

 

Call 911 if a life-threatening emergency occurs. Public Safety follows a written emergency response plan. The plan calls for contacting the appropriate emergency resources and on-call EHS representatives. Fire Public Safety immediately notifies the Raleigh Fire Department of any reported fire. Following the notification of the Fire Department and dispatching of University Public Safety to the scene, Public Safety notifies EHS representatives.

Toxic Gas Alarms: Public Safety receives notification of toxic gas alarms under certain conditions. When gas concentration exceeds specific limits in MRC spaces, the building fire alarm sounds. When the alarm sounds, Public Safety also receives notification. Upon receipt of an alarm, either Raleigh Hazmat or Fire Department is contacted as well as Public Safety Fire Protection and the EHS. The specific response is outlined in a response matrix which corresponds to the particular alarm.