25-TV-02

Note to editors: Copy of report available at: www.today.uci.edu/releases/025tv02.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF UCI'S REINES HALL HELPED CONTAIN LAB FIRE, INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION FINDS

Over-Pressurized Equipment Cause of Solvent Explosion, Report Notes

Irvine, Calif., Feb. 1, 2002 -- A chemical mist leaking from over-pressurized equipment during a routine purification process led to an explosion and fire last July that damaged two laboratories in UC Irvine's Frederick Reines Hall, according to an independent accident investigation released today.

The investigation, led by K. L. Groves, president of Sevorg Services, an accident investigation firm in Rutheron, N. M., also determined that the design and construction of the five-story research building helped contain the fire and that the university's practice of safety training for all laboratory workers and periodic inspections enhanced the general safety of laboratory activities. In addition, the report noted that the use of newer, safer purification equipment could lessen the possibility of further similar accidents, equipment many laboratories on UCI's campus already use.

The accident occurred Monday, July 23, 2001, in the second floor laboratory of William Evans, professor of chemistry, when graduate student Cy Fujimoto was purifying benzene by heating the solvent in a distillation device under a protective fume hood. According to the report, a pressure buildup within the system forced hot benzene vapor from the flask holding the solvent. The cause of this pressure buildup could not be determined. When Fujimoto noticed this leak, he attempted manually to stop it, at which time an undetermined source ignited the chemical vapor, causing an explosion.

Fujimoto received first- and second-degree burns on his face, neck, leg and right arm. He was wearing protective goggles and suffered no eye damage. He was taken to UCI Medical Center for treatment and has made a full recovery.

The Evans laboratory, an instrument room and one adjacent laboratory received significant fire and water damage. Other rooms and laboratories in Reines Hall had some water and smoke damage. Except for the affected laboratories, the entire building was reoccupied by Saturday, July 28. Damages, cleanup and rebuilding costs related to the fire will total as much as $3.5 million, according to UCI officials. The damaged laboratories are scheduled to reopen in late spring.

The report also outlined a number of noteworthy items that prevented and minimized the probability or severity of a similar occurrence. Among them are:

•Design and construction of Reines Hall was instrumental in containing the fire. Fire walls and mechanical ventilation systems installed in the laboratories contained and prevented the fire from spreading and damaging adjacent areas.

•UCI provides adequate safety training for all laboratory workers with periodic refresher briefings led by faculty researchers and advanced graduate students.

•Resident environmental, health and safety coordinators conduct periodic laboratory safety inspections and distribute periodic safety bulletins, which enhance the general safety of chemistry laboratories.
Based on findings and recommendations in the report, UCI will take a number of actions designed to maintain a safe laboratory environment. Among them:

•To review existing laboratory safety procedures, including chemical storage practices and supervision of hazardous activities. In addition, the standard operating procedure for use of distillation devices will be revised to include more frequent monitoring and a detailed checklist to determine proper function of the apparatus.

•To evaluate environmental health and safety staffing issues in order to address laboratory safety inspections.

•To install new solvent purification systems that do not require the heating of volatile chemicals. Currently, a number of these new systems are in use at UCI. In fact, Evans had already switched his four most heavily used solvents to the new systems before the fire. Thirty of the old distillation systems remain in use, and the university is exploring funding opportunities to replace most of them. A new solvent purification system costs approximately $5,500.

In addition, UCI is undertaking a fire safety survey of all university buildings. This survey is scheduled to be completed by the end of February.

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Contact:
Tom Vasich
(949) 824-7687
lstieler@uci.edu

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