Chapter 2
End-of –Section questions
2.1.1
1.
In introductory chemistry labs, most emergencies involving fires or spills are not likely to be major events since
a)
b)
c)
d)
2.
Responding to Lab Emergencies
most of the chemicals are not flammable.
most of the chemicals are relatively safe to use.
only small quantities of chemicals are used.
lab instructors can be relied upon to quickly respond to any emergencies.
If you hear a fire alarm, you should
a) finish the particular procedure that you are involved with before leaving the lab.
b) ask your instructor if it is safe to leave the lab.
c) leave the lab immediately, taking a moment to shut off electrical equipment and gas burners, if it is safe to
do so.
d) make sure that you see something on fire before over-reacting to the situation.
3.
If a fire starts near you in the lab, you should
a)
b)
c)
d)
4.
When leaving a lab during an emergency, you should
a)
b)
c)
d)
5.
you can safely assume that this also notifies the fire department.
you should also call 911 after exiting the building.
you should stay near the pull station so that you can turn off the alarm when the fire is out.
you can safely assume that this will notify Campus Security.
You can re-enter a building after an emergency when
a)
b)
c)
d)
7.
always leave through the same door that you entered.
leave through the nearest exit.
follow the crowd.
leave the lab only after given permission to do so by your instructor.
When pulling a fire alarm
a)
b)
c)
d)
6.
extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher if you are trained to do so and can do this safely.
immediately leave the lab and building.
tell your instructor only if the fire seems like it may become larger.
ask another student what to do.
you no longer believe that any emergency exists.
the fire alarm is silenced.
you see other people re-entering the building.
emergency personnel allow you to do so.
If during an emergency, you cannot find your lab partner outside, you should
a) re-enter the building to search for your lab partner.
b) tell an emergency responder that you believe someone may still be in the building.
c) call 911.
d) re-enter the building to search for your lab partner if you think that there really isn’t an emergency.
8.
In the event of a terrorist attack in a science building, you should
a)
b)
c)
d)
9.
leave the building immediately, but not pull the fire alarm.
leave the building immediately, and pull the fire alarm.
hide in a safe location or follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
make sure all lab experiments are shut down before taking any other action.
Fire alarms should be pulled
a)
b)
c)
d)
only if you are absolutely sure that there is a fire.
only if you think that there is a fire.
any time that it is prudent to evacuate a building, whether there is a fire or not.
only if your instructor tells you to do so.
10. During an emergency you should help an injured person only if
a)
b)
c)
d)
2.1.2
1.
fires involving energized electricity.
flammable liquids.
ordinary flammables.
fires involving reactive metals.
Class B fires are
a)
b)
c)
d)
4.
use one during a real fire emergency.
read the label on the extinguisher.
practice using a fire extinguisher during a training course.
practice using a fire extinguisher anytime you are now busy during a lab experiment.
Class A fires are
a)
b)
c)
d)
3.
Fire Emergencies in Introductory Courses
The best way to learn how to use a fire extinguisher is to
a)
b)
c)
d)
2.
their injuries are serious.
you can do so without putting yourself at risk.
you have specific training to help the person.
you are certain that you know how they were injured.
ordinary flammables.
fires involving reactive metals.
fires involving energized electricity.
flammable liquids.
Class C fires are
a)
b)
c)
d)
ordinary flammables.
fires involving energized electricity.
flammable liquids.
fires involving reactive metals.
5.
Class D fires are
a)
b)
c)
d)
6.
A burning computer that is being used is what Class of fire?
a)
b)
c)
d)
7.
A
B
C
D
If some organic solvent has spilled onto an operating hotplate and caught fire, what Class Fire is this?
a)
b)
c)
d)
9.
A
B
C
D
A burning lab notebook is what Class of fire?
a)
b)
c)
d)
8.
ordinary flammables.
flammable liquids.
fires involving energized electricity.
fires involving reactive metals.
B only
C only
B and C
A and C
A fire involving sodium hydride is what Class of fire?
a)
b)
c)
d)
A
B
C
D
10. What part of the Fire Tetrahedron was not originally included in the Fire Triangle?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Fuel
Oxidizing agent
Ignition source
Chain reaction
11. Most fire prevention methods involve the elimination of what part of the Fire Tetrahedron?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Fuel
Oxidizing agent
Ignition source
Chain reaction
12. What phase(s) of matter do not burn?
I. Solid
II. Liquid
III. Gas
a)
b)
c)
d)
I and II
I and III
Only I
II and III
13. Water is a useful extinguishing agent on what Class(es) of fire?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Only A
A and B
A and C
Only D
14. Why are pressurized water extinguishers not found in chemistry laboratories?
a)
b)
c)
d)
They are too expensive.
They are too heavy for some people to operate.
Most lab fires are Class B or C fires
Most lab fires are Class D fires.
15. Why is a carbon dioxide extinguisher not always effective against a Class A fire?
a)
b)
c)
d)
The CO2 will further “feed” the Class A fire.
The fire might be momentarily extinguisher but the hot fuel can reignite when air hits the fire.
Carbon dioxide cannot cool the flames enough.
They typically last only 10-15 seconds which is not long enough to extinguish the fire.
16. BC fire extinguishers work by
a)
b)
c)
d)
cooling the fire
stopping the chain reaction
preventing vaporization of a flammable liquid
“deactivating” the fuel
17. ABC fire extinguishers work by
a)
b)
c)
d)
cooling the fire
chemically neutralizing the fuel
preventing vaporization of a flammable liquid
forming a sticky layer that prevent oxygen (from air) reacting with the fuel
18. Why is the most handy fire extinguisher in a chemistry lab almost always the appropriate fire extinguisher?
a)
b)
c)
d)
It is the cheapest to use, and therefore easily replaced.
It is probably an ABCD extinguisher that works on all Classes of fires.
Fire code requires that available fire extinguishers be the appropriate type for the most likely type of fire.
It is the type of extinguisher that most folks know how to use.
19. What is the correct sequence of actions in order to use any fire extinguisher properly?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Aim, Pull, Sweep and Squeeze
Aim, Pull, Squeeze and Sweep
Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep
Pull, Aim, Sweep and Squeeze
20. Portable fire extinguishers typically discharge for about
a)
b)
c)
d)
5-10 seconds
10-30 seconds
30 seconds – a few minutes
5 -10 minutes
21. When using a fire extinguisher it is best to
a)
b)
c)
d)
use it only in “short bursts” until the fire is out.
use it continuously until the fire is out.
discharge the entire extinguisher to optimize the use of extinguishing agent.
discharge it until it start to make too much of a mess in the lab.
22. The best extinguishing agent for a person on fire is
a)
b)
c)
d)
type BC
type ABC
water
type ABCD
23. A student should attempt to use a fire extinguisher
a)
b)
c)
d)
2.1.3
1.
Chemical Spills: On You and in the Lab
Most spills in academic lab settings are fairly small
a)
b)
c)
d)
2.
only if an instructor says it is OK.
always, before sounding an alarm or alerting anyone else.
only if the fire is small enough and the student can confidently use the available extinguisher.
on all fires, no matter how small or large because the fire will certainly get larger and cause considerable
damage.
but still need to be dealt with immediately and properly.
and don’t need immediately attention since they present little risk of exposure.
but often the chemicals are so toxic that evacuation by everyone is recommended.
but almost always flammable, which requires immediate evacuation.
Chemicals spills in academic labs should be
I.
II.
III.
IV.
a)
b)
c)
d)
3.
cleaned up by the person who caused the spill.
cleaned up only by certified HazMat technicians.
cleaned up by appropriately trained persons.
cleaned up by the student under the appropriate supervision.
I
II.
III or IV
I or IV
Liquid spills tend to be the most dangerous since
a)
solids are rarely flammable or toxic.
b) liquids spread more easily than solids.
c) almost all liquids are flammable.
d) solids can be present in a lab for days or weeks without any significant exposure hazard.
4.
Spill kits
a) can be easily used by students.
b) should be returned after use immediately to their storage area so that their use can be tracked by monthly
inspections.
c) should be used by instructors only.
d) can be used by students or instructors so long as they are used properly and not returned to storage without
notifying someone in charge.
5.
Good procedures related to using eyewashes includes
a)
b)
c)
d)
6.
It is almost always safe to wash off a chemical on the skin with lots of water unless
a)
b)
c)
d)
7.
2.1.4
First Aid in Chemistry Labs
Call for extra help before entering the room.
Determine the nature of the injury.
Determine if there are any hazardous conditions in the room.
Identify who the person is.
It is generally a good idea to rinse any solid or liquid chemical from the skin unless
a)
b)
c)
d)
3.
almost always remove clothing.
assess the nature of the harm after sufficient washing.
have a lab coat or other extra clothing available.
all of the above.
If you see an apparently unconscious person on the floor in a lab what is the first thing to do?
a)
b)
c)
d)
2.
it is a strong acid or a strong base.
it is a solid that reacts with water.
using a shower causes public embarrassment.
using the shower creates a mess in the lab.
When using an emergency shower it is important to
a)
b)
c)
d)
1.
knowing where they are located
having had them flushed for several minutes on a regular basis
flushing the eyes for at least 15 minutes
all of the above
the chemical is a strong oxidizing agent.
the chemical is a strong acid or base.
it is a chemical that reacts with water.
the victim indicates that the chemical isn’t causing any pain.
Which category of burns generally requires medical attention?
a)
b)
c)
d)
4.
Which substance can be safely applied to a burn?
a)
b)
c)
d)
5.
start CPR immediately.
check for burn marks.
make absolutely sure that the patient is not still in contact with live electricity before rendering aid.
shut off all electrical breakers to the room before entering the room.
If you encounter a person with a large piece of glass impaled into the body from an apparent explosion, you
should
a)
b)
c)
d)
7.
Ice.
Burn cream.
Tap water, if there are no open blisters.
Zinc oxide cream.
If you encounter an unconscious person who you believe may have been electrocuted, you should
a)
b)
c)
d)
6.
First degree only
Third degree only
First and second degree
Second and third degree
immediately remove the object since it is probably contaminated with chemicals.
immediately remove the object and then apply pressure to the wound.
remove the object only if the patient complains of severe pain.
leave the impaled object intact and stabilize it with a dressing.
If you encounter a person that has fallen from a 5’ platform and is unconscious, you should
a) start CPR immediately.
b) not move the person unless the environment is hazardous.
c) rearrange the person’s position so that they are lying flat on the back and all arms and legs are in a
“neutral,” straight position.
d) search for identification .
8.
It is important to tell an ambulance crew that a patient might have been exposed to a pathogen since
a)
b)
c)
d)
9.
the crew and receiving hospital will need to prepare to handle a patient who might be “contaminated.”
the crew will need to wear special protective equipment.
the crew will need to notify the Department of Homeland Security.
all of the above.
When dealing with any medical emergency in a lab, you should always
a)
b)
c)
d)
notify others about the situation.
wear gloves.
try to determine if any condition in the lab is related to the medical emergency.
All of the above.
Section 2.2.1
1.
Fires in Organic and Other Advanced Labs
Most of the fires that one would expect to encounter in an organic synthesis lab would be
a)
Class A
b) Class B
c) Class C
d) Class D
2.
The portable fire extinguisher of most use in an organic lab will be
a)
b)
c)
d)
3.
Although rarely encountered in academic environments, some industrial labs may have whole-room, automated
suppressions systems. These systems use CO2 or some inert gas and are designed to mostly for
a)
b)
c)
d)
4.
2.2.2
Communicate, isolate, mitigate, evacuate.
Isolate, evacuate, mitigate, communicate.
Evacuate, communicate, isolate, mitigate.
Evacuate, isolate, mitigate, communicate.
generally “neutralize” the hazardous nature of most spills.
can be used with all chemicals.
absorb many times their own weight in liquid.
all of the above.
Which chemical is not a good neutralizing agent for an acid spill?
a)
b)
c)
d)
4.
Chemical Spills: Containment and Clean-up
Commercially-available “pillows” or “socks” are designed to contain the spread of liquid spills and
a)
b)
c)
d)
3.
should not be extinguished using water.
are usually associated with strong reducing agents.
should be extinguished only with a Class D extinguishing agent.
All of the above.
In general, in what order should the following steps be taken when responding to a chemical spill?
a)
b)
c)
d)
2.
Class A fires.
Class B fires.
Class C fires.
Class D fires.
Active metal fires
a)
b)
c)
d)
1.
A
BC
ABC
BC or ABC
Na2CO3
NaHCO3
NaOH
CaCO3
Which substance is not a good agent for absorbing an organic solvent spill?
a) kitty litter
b) vermiculite
c) activated charcoal
d) sand
5.
A spill kit may include personal protective equipment, buckets, scoops, absorbing agents, plastic bags, and
paper towels. Which of these materials should be included as part of the material to be disposed of by trained
personnel?
a) Only the absorbing agent and contaminated paper towels.
b) The absorbing agent, contaminated paper towels, and plastic bags.
c) The absorbing agent, contaminated paper towels, plastic bags, and the buckets and scoops.
d) Everything that was potentially contaminated in the clean-up process.
6.
Leaks from high-pressure gas cylinders involving toxic gases
a) require immediate evacuation of the lab.
b) require immediate evacuation of the lab unless they can be quickly detected and corrected by tightening a
coupling or connection.
c) should only be fixed if the leak is large and the ventilation is poor.
d) needn’t be fixed if the leak is very small and lab ventilation is good.
7.
The best response to a chemical spill
a)
b)
c)
d)
involves a quick recognition of the size and nature of the spill.
involves people who know how to properly clean up a spill
usually requires a hazmat team from the local fire department
A and B.