Alcohol Based Hand Wash

[SteveR]

Hi
just wondering what other Fire Safety Advisors are doing regarding Risk Assessments on Alcohol Based Hand Wash.  I know its been around for some time but not in the quantities now in use.
I have done some physical burning tests with the chosen product for my hospital, was wondering if anyone else has information to share.
Look forward to some response.
Cheers
SteveR

[Guest]

What are your concerns?  Is it that people might drink the alcohol wash?

[Brian Catton]

there are all sorts of concerns regarding this product. If you were joking about persons drinking it, please don't, It could happen in mental health Trusts. We have tried to ignite it without success. It can be used as a weapon when put into someones eyes.
However our old friend risk assessment will show whether or not the risk of infection will outweigh the other hazards.

[SteveR]

Brian
Thanks for the comments.  As I am sure you are aware there are several products on the market, and I would be interested in the one you were unable to ignite.  I am currently seeking an alternative to suggest to the Trust as the one in use here is very easy to ignite and one 500ml container continued to burn for up to 2 hours.

[RobertB]

SteveR
Hi
Following the issue of Patient safety alert 04 regardinng alcohol based hand rub, the following guidelines have been issued to our estates, and key staff.ie Hotel services at all our sites.
Alcohol based hand rub product containers located in corridors should not exceed 1.2 litres in capacity.
Containers placed in single patient rooms should not exceed 2 litres.
Do not install hand rub dispesers over electrical outlets, light switches, carpeting or other sources of ignition.
Dispensers should not project more than3.5 inches into corridor.
Dispensers should be placed far enough apart that heat generated from one dispener will not cause the ignition of other dispensers.
Be aware of the proper handling, storage and disposition of the gel. Supplies should be stored in cabinets or approved flammable materials storage areas away from acids.
Ensure hands are completely dry after using gel to eliminate the potential for ignition, especially beware of static electricity causing sparks.
Store away from high temperatures or flames.
Install dispencers at least 3 feet from sources of heat ie radiators/heaters

It also appears COSSH assessments will need to be carried out.
I hope the above info is of help.
Robert

[Alasdair Munro]

I understand that when introduced in Merseyside, it was dissapearing, and yes they were apparently drinking it, despite the propan-1-ol in it!

[Brian Downes]

I am re-opening the thread on Hand-wash gel as an NHS trust I work with have installed 1.2 Litre battery operated non touch dispensers in some areas.

These units do not seem to comply with DoH  guidance.

My main concerns are:

1. Guidance on container size is exceeded, 1.2L not 1L, although I don't think this is a crucial issue as it seems 1.2L equates with USA imperial measurements. The gel is produced in the USA. It also seems that the research involving test fires was done in the USA, and they permit 1.2L capacity containers.

2. Guidance on location advises avoiding close proximity to mains sockets and switches as potential ignition sources. What risk is posed therefore by the three 1.5v C cells and the electrics powering the unit?

3. The new units discharge a measured quantity of gel when a photo cell under the dispenser operates. This mode of operation seems more prone to accidental or malicious discharge onto the floor than traditional pump action. The units that are already installed have stains down the wall; a problem not encountered with pump action units.

We have carried out some very informal test burns using 350ml pump action gel containers. Our findings have focussed our thoughts on the dangers of the gel as an accelerant that may be used by 'disturbed' patients. A few pumps of gel onto a sheet or floor- tile are easily ignited with a 'lighter' and the gel burns with an almost invisible flame.

The containers of gel when actually involved in fire do not seen to have a huge impact on fire escalation. My colleague has likened the effect to 'a gel candle'

Our feelings at present are that we are reasonably happy with dispensers located in corridors above tiled floors. We feel less comfortable with the small pump action units on every bedside locker. We are thinking that these continers may need to be relocated if patients are identified as 'vulnerable'

Has anyone come across these 1.2L automatic dispensers?

[nearlythere]

I am re-opening the thread on Hand-wash gel as an NHS trust I work with have installed 1.2 Litre battery operated non touch dispensers in some areas.

These units do not seem to comply with DoH  guidance.

My main concerns are:

1. Guidance on container size is exceeded, 1.2L not 1L, although I don't think this is a crucial issue as it seems 1.2L equates with USA imperial measurements. The gel is produced in the USA. It also seems that the research involving test fires was done in the USA, and they permit 1.2L capacity containers.

2. Guidance on location advises avoiding close proximity to mains sockets and switches as potential ignition sources. What risk is posed therefore by the three 1.5v C cells and the electrics powering the unit?

3. The new units discharge a measured quantity of gel when a photo cell under the dispenser operates. This mode of operation seems more prone to accidental or malicious discharge onto the floor than traditional pump action. The units that are already installed have stains down the wall; a problem not encountered with pump action units.

We have carried out some very informal test burns using 350ml pump action gel containers. Our findings have focussed our thoughts on the dangers of the gel as an accelerant that may be used by 'disturbed' patients. A few pumps of gel onto a sheet or floor- tile are easily ignited with a 'lighter' and the gel burns with an almost invisible flame.

The containers of gel when actually involved in fire do not seen to have a huge impact on fire escalation. My colleague has likened the effect to 'a gel candle'

Our feelings at present are that we are reasonably happy with dispensers located in corridors above tiled floors. We feel less comfortable with the small pump action units on every bedside locker. We are thinking that these continers may need to be relocated if patients are identified as 'vulnerable'

Has anyone come across these 1.2L automatic dispensers?

Gee. And I thought that fire alarm systems, and animal hotels, were complicated.

[nim]

I posted this in another thread a while back and would still be interested at what quantity an Alcohol Resistant Foam extinguisher should be installed?

If you had a stores with 50 or 100 litres of Alcohol Based Hand Wash Gel how would the risk be assessed and how many Alcohol Resistant Foam Extinguishers would be required?

http://www.fire.org.uk/punbb/upload/viewtopic.php?id=314

[AnthonyB]

I seem to remember back in the days when Angus Fire Armour were independent their 9 litre Alcoseal AR-FFFP extinguishers were rated 233B on normal liquids, but only 34B on polar solvents (Alcohol) and this was with a foam blanket through a LX branchpipe, as oppose to the non aspirated spray nozzles used on the majority of foam extinguishers.

Any significant amount of polar solvent would require an 'AR' foam compound in sufficient supply to cope with the increased application rates required to cope with polar solvent fires, only getting 34B out of a 9 litre branchpipe extinguisher. CO2 & powder are not affected, but have their own issues.

Current manufacture AR-FFFP extinguishers (of which only 3 manufacturers offer as standard) appear not to be submitted for fire rating tests on polar solvents unlike what Angus used to do, with a resultant misleading standard B rating alone - one would assume the market is too specialist & small to justify the cost.

The specialist industries using bulk polar solvents normally back portables up with trolley units, etc.

[jaxter]

This is nice concept, as I have never heard about it. But it is not so much popular or significant in such situations. Regarding health I don't know how it can be beneficial. Before using it you must consult a doctor regarding the use and hazards.

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