Health Technical Memorandum 05-03 Part G: Laboratories on healthcare premises – Fire safety guidance
Health Technical Memorandum 05-03 Part G (HTM 05-03: Part G) is a best practice guidance document issued by the Department of Health Estates & Facilities Division in the United Kingdom. This publication, titled Laboratories on healthcare premises, is part of the Firecode suite of documents governing fire safety within the National Health Service (NHS). Released in December 2006, this memorandum re-brands and replaces the previous Fire Practice Note 10 with minor revisions. It sits within a wider legal and regulatory framework alongside Approved Document B – Fire Safety and other HTM 05 series documents focused on operational provisions.
The scope of HTM 05-03: Part G encompasses fire safety management for laboratory facilities that are newly planned or currently established on hospital premises. It addresses the unique risks associated with clinical laboratories, such as the presence of infectious substances, flammable solvents, radioactive materials, and reactive chemicals. The document is structured into four primary chapters: Introduction and scope, Glossary of terms, Organisation and management of fire safety, and Technical recommendations. It defines specific parameters for structural fire precautions, emergency planning, and the handling of hazardous substances to ensure laboratory operations do not compromise patient care areas.
The following sections detail the organisational responsibilities, technical requirements for fire-resistant construction, and specific protocols for managing flammable liquids, gases, and electrical equipment within the laboratory environment.
Organisation and management of fire safety
Accountability for fire safety begins with the chief executive or general manager of the trust or authority. Management must identify a specific individual responsible for fire safety within the laboratory facilities and maintain a separate written fire safety policy.
- Fire safety policy: Must define duties of management, staff with specific responsibilities, and procedures for hot work, lone working, and out-of-hours operations.
- Emergency plans: Written plans must include methods for raising the alarm, evacuation procedures, and location of first-aid fire-fighting equipment.
- Staff training: All laboratory personnel must attend fire safety training at least once every 12 months, covering hazards such as oxygen-enriched atmospheres and the handling of compressed gas cylinders.
- Record keeping: Management is required to maintain records of training dates, duration, the nature of the instruction, and results of fire drills.
Technical recommendations for construction and lighting
Physical fire precautions for laboratories must supplement general hospital fire safety measures. The document specifies structural standards to prevent fire spread and ensure safe egress for staff.
- Enclosure: Laboratory rooms and areas should be enclosed in 30-minute fire-resistant construction and fitted with self-closing fire doors.
- Location: Laboratories should not be used as means of escape for other departments and should be located away from public-access areas.
- Emergency lighting: Must be provided in accordance with BS 5266: Part 1 and HTM 06-01 in areas where lighting interruption presents an unacceptable risk.
- Access: Facilities must provide suitable access for fire brigade vehicles and ensure ventilation exhausts discharge safely to avoid ingestion by other systems.
Storage and use of flammable substances
The management of flammable liquids and gases is governed by specific volume thresholds and containment standards to mitigate ignition risks.
- Bulk storage: Combustible substances must be kept in a central lockable store with 60-minute fire-resistant construction.
- Bench quantities: The maximum size of any container for highly flammable liquids on a laboratory bench is restricted to 500 ml.
- Flammable gases: Quantities should be kept to the minimum needed for effective operation, with cylinders ideally kept outdoors and piped via narrow-bore tubing.
- Waste disposal: Waste flammable liquids must be deposited in closed containers and not disposed of via normal drainage systems.
Equipment and data safety
Technical provisions cover the safe operation of electrical devices, fume cupboards, and the protection of patient data against fire loss.
- Safety cabinets and fume cupboards: Fire dampers are considered inappropriate for safety cabinet extract ducts; however, ducts passing through compartment walls must maintain the fire protection standard of that wall.
- Electrical fittings: Sockets and switches must be located away from areas where accidental spillage of flammable liquids is likely.
- Master switches: Laboratories should have a master switch near the door to cut off electricity to experiments at the end of the working day, unless experiments are required to run unattended.
- Data storage: Procedures must be established to ensure the safety of key patient data by storing copies in remote premises or fire-safe containers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must laboratory staff receive fire safety training?
All staff working in laboratory facilities must attend fire safety training at least once in every 12-month period as per paragraph 3.13.
What is the required fire resistance for laboratory room enclosures?
Laboratory rooms and areas must be enclosed in 30-minute fire-resistant construction and provided with fire-resistant self-closing doors.
What is the maximum container size allowed for flammable liquids on a bench?
The maximum size of any container on a bench containing a highly flammable liquid must not exceed 500 ml.
Are fire dampers required in safety cabinet extract ducts?
No, the document states that fire dampers are inappropriate in safety cabinet extract ducts due to the risk of contamination.
Who holds overall responsibility for fire safety in NHS premises?
The chief executive or general manager has overall responsibility for fire safety in all premises occupied or used by the trust or authority.
How should bulk combustible substances be stored?
Bulk storage should be in a central lockable laboratory store protected by 60-minute fire-resistant construction.
What standard governs emergency lighting in these laboratories?
Emergency lighting should be provided to BS 5266: Part 1: 1988 or designed according to the recommendations in HTM 05-03 Part A.
Where should flammable gas cylinders be located?
Cylinders of compressed gas should, as far as possible, be kept out of doors with the supply piped through narrow-bore piping to the usage point.
