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Laboratory fire and chemical incident

A London university laboratory. Client name withheld.

A fire and explosion in a university laboratory left four floors, a basement and the building’s ventilation contaminated, with incomplete hazard data on the chemicals involved. We were instructed to find out how far it had travelled and to plan the way back.

Cross-section of the affected building Schematic showing a plant level with ten air-handling units, all soot-positive, four floors and a basement, with ventilation risers carrying contamination through every level. Plant level10 AHUs, all soot-positive Floor 4Floor 3Floor 2Floor 1Basement Ground Ventilation risers Affected areas and stairwell Soot-positive AHU

Schematic of the affected building. Not to scale; affected areas are indicative.

4 + 1Floors plus basement, stairwells and communal areas
10 of 10Air-handling units positive for soot
15Specialists across two shifts, 5am to 9pm
60 daysRemediation plan

The situation

Fire and explosion damage across laboratories, offices, stairwells and communal areas over four floors and a basement. COSHH and safety data sheet information was incomplete.

What testing found

Soot in all ten air-handling units. Chemical residues including sulphur, acetone, iron and aluminium, with lithium possibly present, plus potential pathogens.

What we did

Investigation and sampling, contamination mapping, a full remediation strategy and scope, then specialist cleaning and decontamination with ventilation testing.

What it meant

An evidence-based scope for the whole building, ventilation included, and a single team accountable for a 60-day remediation plan.

Photographs from the project

Taken on site during investigation and remediation.

Laboratory equipment coated in soot and chemical residue
Soot and chemical residue on laboratory equipment
Soot contamination across a laboratory workstation
Soot contamination at a workstation
Chemical stock affected by the incident
Chemical stock affected by the incident
Storage shelving contaminated with soot
Contamination across storage areas
A specialist in protective equipment cleaning a laboratory
Specialist cleaning in full protective equipment
A specialist in a hazmat suit with a powered respirator
Powered respiratory protection on site

Our role on the project

  • Initial investigation and sampling
  • Risk assessment and contamination mapping
  • Remediation strategy and scope of works
  • Specialist cleaning and decontamination
  • Ventilation system testing
  • Ongoing project support

Related

Chemical and laboratoryHazard review and testing before any cleaning starts. Fire and smokeSoot mapped wherever it travelled, ventilation included. For insurersScopes, evidence and closing files for claims teams.

Talk to us about an incident

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