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Laboratory safety

Working in a laboratory environment at Stockholm University must be safe for both people and the environment. Here you will find information on rules, procedures and support for safe work in laboratories.

In an emergency

Call 112.
Inform your immediate supervisor.

Policy and responsibilities

The policy applies to everyone working in a laboratory environment and describes responsibilities and requirements for preventing risks.

Laboratory safety policy

Rules for laboratory safety

Handling flammable and explosive goods

There are specific requirements for how flammable and explosive goods must be handled and stored in laboratory environments.

Flammable liquids

Permitted quantity per fire compartment

Note that a fire compartment may include several rooms.

A maximum of 50 litres may be stored in ventilated cabinets with spill containment.
Of these, a maximum of 10 litres may be stored openly in the laboratory.

Storage in a fire-separated area

Applies to cabinets or rooms where only flammable liquids are stored and which are connected to mechanical ventilation.

Minimum fire rating EI30: up to 1 000 litres.
Minimum fire rating EI60: over 1 000 litres.

Flammable gas

Permitted quantity per fire compartment

Note that a fire compartment can cover several rooms.

A maximum of 5 litres openly in the laboratory.

Storage in a fire-separated space

Applies to cabinets or rooms where only flammable gas is stored and connected to mechanical ventilation.

Minimum fire rating EI30: up to 250 litres.
Minimum fire rating EI60: up to 1 200 litres.

Not permitted

Flammable goods must not be stored

near substances that can form toxic gases in case of fire (e.g. halogenated hydrocarbons)
together with toxins or acids or bases
in the vicinity of flammable material
in fume cupboards
where there is a risk of spillage, leakage or falling containers.

Co-storage and handling

Flammable liquids, gases or solids must not be stored together.
Small quantities may in some cases be permitted after assessment.
Full and empty gas containers must always be kept separate.

Checklists and documents – flammable goods

Storage requirements for flammable goods pdf, 167.6 kB.

Checklist for control of flammable goods pdf, 468.8 kB.

Checklist for control of flammable goods. docx, 232.1 kB.docx, 232.4 kB

Fire prevention and evacuation

General information on fire protection and evacuation can be found on the Fire prevention page.

Fire prevention

Signs and labelling

Signs in premises

Use the sign generator to display risks in the premises.

The SU sign generator

Instructions for signage

Instructions for labelling laboratory and hazardous areas pdf, 215.1 kB.

Report and get support

Report incidents and accidents

Report incidents and accidents in the IA system.

IA system

Support and training

Skyddsventilerade arbetsplatser (Protective ventilation) (film, University of Gothenburg, approx. 14 minutes)

Fire safety training

Checklists, templates and procedures

Laboratory safety compliance declaration pdf, 72.3 kB.

Routine for handling liquid chemical residues and aqueous solutions pdf, 235.2 kB.

Routine for peroxide forming chemicals pdf, 588.1 kB.

Export control and research security

Export control applies to products, technology and knowledge that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. This may affect research, collaborations and international contacts.

If your activities involve such products or information, you must comply with specific regulations.

Export control and dual-use items