Fire Prevention and Safety Home ::

Instructions ::

Prevention and Safety During Surgical Procedures ::

Program Content ::

JCAHO Sentinel Event Alert ::

JCAHO Recommends ::

AORN Fire Position
Statement ::

NFPA 99 – Standard for Health Care Facilities ::

Fires Reported to ECRI ::

Root Causes of Fires ::

The Fire Triangle ::

Fuel Combustion ::

Ignition Sources ::

Fuel Sources ::

In or On the Patient

Prepping Agents

Operating Room Attire/
Barrier Materials

Supplies

Combustible Agents

Red Rubber Catheters / Other Non Recommended Insulating Material

Anesthesia Components

Oxidizers ::

Preparing for Fires ::

Preventing Fires ::

Control of Ignition Sources ::

Manage Fuels ::

Minimize Oxidizers ::

Endotracheal Tubes ::

Managing Fires ::

Conclusions ::

Program Summary ::

Take Test Now ::

Glossary ::

Bibliography ::

Suggested Readings ::

Covidien Energy-Based Professional Education ::

Many anesthesia products, such as breathing circuits, mask and airways, Laryngeal Mask Airway and endotracheal tubes are made of synthetic materials such as plastics. ECRI reports that these materials produce the most toxic combustion byproducts. Plastics are basically hydrocarbons with various other elements added to create special properties. These elements cause burning plastic to produce toxic chemicals such as hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, cyanide, mustard gas, phenol, aldehydes and other complex hydrocarbons. These chemicals can cause a fire that would asphyxiate victims before the fire burned them to death.

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