NFPA 45 (2004) requirements that apply now

5.4

Means of Access to an Exit

5.4.1*

A second means of access to an exit shall be provided from a laboratory work area if any of the
following situations exist:

(5)

A compressed gas cylinder larger than lecture bottle size, located such that it could prevent safe
egress in the event of accidental release of cylinder contents.
A cryogenic container located such that it could prevent safe egress in the event of accidental
release of container contents.

(6)

Annex A Explanatory Material

A.5.4.1
A door to an adjoining laboratory work area or laboratory unit is considered to be a second
means of access to an exit, provided that the laboratory unit is not of a higher fire hazard classification.

8.2

Basic Requirements

8.2.2*

Laboratory units and laboratory hoods in which chemicals are present shall be continuously
ventilated under normal operating conditions.
Annex A Explanatory Material

A.8.2.2
A minimum ventilation rate for unoccupied laboratories (e.g., nights and weekends) is four
room air changes per hour. Occupied laboratories typically operate at rates of greater than eight room air
changes per hour, consistent with the conditions of use for the laboratory. It is not the intent of the
standard to require emergency or standby power for laboratory ventilation systems.

8.4

Exhaust Air Discharge

8.4.6

Chemical fume hood face velocities and exhaust volumes shall be sufficient to contain
contaminants generated within the hood and exhaust them outside of the laboratory unit.

8.4.7*

The fume hood shall provide containment of the possible hazards and protection for personnel
at all times when chemicals are present in the hood.
Annex A

Explanatory Material

A.8.4.7
Laboratory fume hood containment can be evaluated using the procedures contained in
ASHRAE 110, Method of Testing Performance of Laboratory Fume Hoods. Face velocities of 0.4 m/sec to 0.6
m/sec (80 ft/min to 120 ft/ min) generally provide containment if the hood location requirements and
laboratory ventilation criteria of this standard are met.

8.5.10 Manifolding of Chemical Fume Hood and Ducts.

8.5.10.1

Exhaust ducts from each laboratory unit shall be separately ducted to a point outside the
building, to a mechanical room, or to a shaft.

8.5.10.2

Connection to a common chemical fume hood exhaust duct system shall be permitted to occur
within a building only in any of the following locations:

(1)
(2)
(3)

Mechanical room
Shaft protected in accordance with the chapter for protection of vertical openings of NFPA 101
A point outside the building

8.5.10.3

Exhaust ducts from chemical fume hoods and other exhaust systems within the same laboratory
unit shall be permitted to be combined within that laboratory unit.

8.81

Chemical Fume Hood Interiors

8.8.1.3*

Chemical fume hoods shall be provided with a means of preventing overflow of a spill of 2 L
(0.5 gallon) of liquid.
Annex A

Explanatory Material

A.8.8.1.3
The means of containing minor spills might consist of a 6.4 mm ( in.) recess in the work
surface, use of pans or trays, or creation of a recess by installing a curb across the front of the hood and
sealing the joints between the work surface and the sides, back, and curb of the hood.

8.8.5

Other Hood Services

8.8.5.2

In existing installations where service controls are within the hood, additional shutoffs shall be
located within 15 meters (50 feet) of the hood and shall be accessible and clearly marked.

8.12

Identification of Chemical Fume Hood Systems

8.12.2

A sign shall be affixed to each hood containing the following information from the last
inspection, or a properly maintained log of all hoods providing the following information shall
be maintained:

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Inspection interval
Last inspection date
Average face velocity
Location of fan that serves hood
Inspectors name

9.2.3

Storage

9.2.3.4

Containers of materials that might become hazardous during prolonged storage shall be dated
when first opened.
At the end of 6 months, the material shall be evaluated or tested for continued safe use.
Material that is found to be safe or that can be treated to be made safe shall be permitted to be
redated and retained for an additional 6-month period.

9.2.3.4.1
9.2.3.4.2

11.1.4

Special Ventilation Requirements for Gas Cylinders.

11.1.4.1

Lecture bottle-sized cylinders of the following gases located in laboratory units shall be kept in
a continuously mechanically ventilated hood or other continuously mechanically ventilated
enclosure:
All gases that have health hazard ratings of 3 or 4
All gases that have a health hazard rating of 2 without physiological warning properties
Pyrophoric gases

(1)
(2)
(3)
11.1.4.2

Cylinders of all gases that are greater than lecture bottle size and have health hazard ratings of 3
or 4 and cylinders of gases that have a health hazard rating of 2 without physiological warning
properties that are located in laboratory units shall meet both the following conditions:

(1)

Storage in approved continuously mechanically ventilated gas cabinets

(2)

Compliance with NFPA 55, Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases and
Cryogenic Fluids in Portable and Stationary Containers, Cylinders, and Tanks

11.1.4.3

Cylinders of pyrophoric gases that are greater than lecture bottle size that are located in
laboratory units shall be kept in approved continuously mechanically ventilated, sprinklered
gas cabinets.

11.1.5

Cylinder Safety.

11.1.5.2.2

Where the source cylinder is outside of the laboratory, a station regulator and gauge shall be
installed at the point of use to show outlet pressure.

11.1.6

Cylinders in Use.

11.1.6.5*

The maximum internal volume (water volume) of all cylinders in each of the listed
classifications, in use in the laboratory work area, shall comply with the following:

(2)*
(a)
(b)

Maximum quantity of oxidizing gases is as follows:

For a laboratory work area of 500 ft2 or less, the internal cylinder volume in scf equals 6.0.
For a laboratory work area greater than 500 ft2, the internal cylinder volume is 0.012 ft3 per ft2
lab work area.
Annex A
Explanatory Material

A.11.1.6.5
(4)
(a)
(b)

Maximum quantities in 11.1.6.5(2) are doubled for sprinklered space.

Maximum quantity of health hazard 3 or 4 gases is as follows:
For a laboratory work area of 500 ft2 or less, the internal cylinder volume in scf equals 0.3.
For a laboratory work area greater than 500 ft2, the internal cylinder volume is 0.0006 ft3 per ft2
lab work area.

13.1*

Identification of Entrances.

13.1.1

Entrances to laboratory units, laboratory work areas, storage areas, and associated facilities
shall be identified by signs to warn emergency response personnel of unusual or severe hazards
that are not directly related to the fire hazard of contents.
Annex A

Explanatory Material

A.13.1 Examples of severe or unusual hazards that might require posting of signs include the following:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)

Unstable chemicals
Radioactive chemicals
Carcinogens, mutagens, and teratogens
Pathogens
High-pressure reactions
High-powered lasers
Water-reactive materials
Cryogens

Use of the system presented in NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the
Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response, which might be suitable for flammable liquid storage
cabinets or those laboratories containing a nearly constant chemical inventory, is not recommended for
multichemical laboratories where the chemicals can change frequently.
Even where storage within a laboratory involves unusually high amounts of flammable or
toxic or reactive materials (and hence calls for hazard identification), a lettered sign is generally more easily
understood than a numerical designation. Hence, the NFPA 704 system is not recommended for
laboratories in general.

13.3

Labeling of Containers.

13.3.1

Content identification, including precautionary information, shall be provided directly on all

original and subsequent containers of hazardous chemicals, except those being used in ongoing
experiments.

APPLIES TO NEW LABS, NEW EQUIPMENT, ALTERED LABS OR

EXISTING LABS THAT CHOOSE TO OPT IN TO THE NEW CODE
5.4.1

Means of Access to an Exit

5.4.1*

A second means of access to an exit shall be provided from a laboratory work area if any of the
following situations exist:

(3)
(4)

A laboratory work area within a Class B, Class C, or Class D laboratory unit exceeds 1000 ft2.
A hood in a laboratory work area is located adjacent to the primary means of exit access.

5.4.4

Emergency lighting facilities shall be provided for any laboratory work area requiring a second
means of access to an exit.
Annex A

Explanatory Material

A.5.4.1
A door to an adjoining laboratory work area or laboratory unit is considered to be a second
means of access to an exit, provided that the laboratory unit is not of a higher fire hazard classification.

6.2.1

Automatic Sprinkler Systems

6.2.2.1

Automatic sprinkler system protection shall be required for all new laboratories in accordance
with the following:

(2)

Automatic sprinkler protection for Class C and Class D laboratories shall be in accordance with
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, for ordinary hazard (Group 1)
occupancies.

6.3

Standpipe and Hose Systems

6.3.1

In all laboratory buildings that are two or more stories above or below grade level (level of exit
discharge), standpipes shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation
of Standpipe and Hose Systems.

8.4

Exhaust Air Discharge

8.4.6

Chemical fume hood face velocities and exhaust volumes shall be sufficient to contain
contaminants generated within the hood and exhaust them outside of the laboratory unit.

8.4.7*

The fume hood shall provide containment of the possible hazards and protection for personnel
at all times when chemicals are present in the hood.
Annex A

Explanatory Material

A.8.4.7
The chemical fume hood exhaust airflow should not be reduced to less than 25 ft3/min/ft2 of
internal hood work surface even when the sash is fully closed

8.8.4*

Electrical Devices

8.8.4.1

In installations where services and controls are within the hood, additional electrical
disconnects shall be located within 50 ft of the hood and shall be accessible and clearly marked.
Annex A

Explanatory Material

A.8.8.4
Locating services, controls, and electrical fixtures external to the hood minimizes the
potential hazards of corrosion and arcing.

8.8.5

Other Hood Services

8.8.5.1.1.1

For new installations or modifications of existing installations, controls for chemical fume hood
services (gas, air, water, etc.) shall be located external to the hood and within easy reach.

8.8.7

Measuring Device for Hood Airflow

8.8.7.1

A measuring device for hood airflow shall be provided on each chemical fume hood.

10.1

Quantity Limitations

10.1.2

Quantities of flammable and combustible liquids, including liquids in laboratory units located
in health care occupancies, shall not exceed those specified for a Class D laboratory unit.

3.3.31

Instructional Laboratory Unit. A laboratory unit used for education past the 12th grade and
before post-college graduate level instruction for the purposes of instruction of six or more
persons for four or more hours per day or more than 12 hours per week. Laboratory units used
for graduate or post-graduate research are not to be considered instructional laboratory units.

Table 10.1.1
Maximum Quantities of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Liquefied Flammable Gases in
Sprinklered Laboratory Units Outside of Inside Liquid Storage Areas

Lab Unit
Fire Hazard
Class
D
D
B
B

Flammable and
Combustible
Liquid Class
I
I, II and IIIA
I
I, II and IIIA

Excluding Quantities
in Storage Cabinets
Max Qty/100 ft2
Max Qty
of Lab Unit
per Lab Unit

Including Quantities
in Storage Cabinets
Max Qty/100 ft2
Max Qty
of Lab Unit
per Lab Unit

1 gal

75 gals 100 gals

2 gals

150 gals 100/200 gals*

1 gal

75 gals 100 gals

2 gals

150 gals 100/200 gals*

5 gals

300 gals 25 gals

10 gals

600 gals 25/30 gals*

10 gals

400 gals 25 gals

20 gals

800 gals 25/30 gals*

* higher limit allowed when laboratory is of 2 hour fire rated construction

Annex B

Supplementary Definitions

Class I
Class II
Class IIIA

Flashpoint below 100 degrees F

Flashpoint at or above 100 degrees F and below 140 degrees F
Flashpoint at or above 140 degrees F and below 200 degrees F

11.1.6

11.1.6 Cylinders in Use.

11.1.6.3

A compressed gas cylinder shall be considered to be in use if it is in compliance with one of

the following:

(1)
(2)
(3)

Connected through a regulator to deliver gas to a laboratory operation

Connected to a manifold being used to deliver gas to a laboratory operation
A single cylinder secured alongside the cylinder described in item (1) as the reserve cylinder for
the cylinder described in item (1)

11.1.6.4

Cylinders not in use shall not be stored in the laboratory unit.

11.1.6.5*

The maximum internal volume (water volume) of all cylinders in each of the listed
classifications, in use in the laboratory work area, shall comply with the following:

(1)*

Maximum quantity of flammable gases is as follows:

(a)
(b)

For a laboratory work area of 500 ft2 or less, the internal cylinder volume in scf equals 6.0.
For a laboratory work area greater than 500 ft2, the internal cylinder volume is 0.012 ft3 per ft2
lab work area.

(3)*

Maximum quantity of liquefied flammable gases is as follows:

(a)
(b)

For a laboratory work area of 500 ft2 or less, the internal cylinder volume in scf equals 1.2.
For a laboratory work area greater than 500 ft2, the internal cylinder volume is 0.0018 ft3 per ft2
lab work area.
Annex A

A.11.1.6.5

Explanatory Material

Maximum quantities in 11.1.6.5(1) and 11.1.6.5(3) are doubled for sprinklered space.