Would your Darkroom area be considered a fire-hazard?

[DREW WILEY]

I wouldn't take anything for granted. I have several fire extinguisher in the building. Since a couple of my big vertical enlargers are fairly high wattage in terms of halogen illumination, I have sheets of FRP (fire-resistant) fiberglass panel on the ceiling area immediately above them, in addition to cooling fans ducted outside, of course. Strong reagents which might be capable of interaction are kept well apart, and where they can't
fall due to our frequent earthquakes. All the machinery is well bolted down for the same reason. But it is a cramped set of rooms due to all this
gear, often used in total darkness. All the electrical equipment is kept well maintained, and holding a business license, I am susceptible to annual
inspections by the city Fire Dept, though they tend to just want the inspection fee check in their pocket, and never do actually show up. Anyone
who has watched national news is well aware of what can potentially happen in any number of our local artiste colonies. I've seen several of them burn down just a block or two from my office here in past years, which are now replaced with big expensive condo highrises. But the one further down in a bad neighborhood of Oakland is up to almost forty bodies so far. It was inevitable.

 

[AgX]

I am susceptible to annual
inspections by the city Fire Dept, though they tend to just want the inspection fee check in their pocket, and never do actually show up.

Quite surprising in a country that is foregoing with health and safety regulations.

 

[cramej]

my darkroom is a big bathroom. I've got running water close to hand. On the other hand if the one door was blocked I really think I could make an emergency exit out the exterior wall if properly motivated, drywall some insulation and a couple layers of siding.

But there is more to the exterior wall than this. You likely have a layer of 5/8" OSB or 1xSomething boards - depending on the age of the house - moisture barrier and then a layer of siding. All of this nailed down to the structure. It would be next to impossible for 1 person to bust through OSB and siding.

I've yet to have my darkroom wired but it will be done by an electician. For the most part, don't be stupid with electrical stuff in the darkroom and it won't be a fire hazard. If your outlets look like Clark Griswold's in Christmas Vacation, you may have some problems...

 

[locutus]

My darkroom is my bathroom, i'm sure thats somehow a health and safety hazard :-D

 

[faberryman]

I am wondering if I should line my darkroom with tinfoil. Who knows whose listening in to me muttering f4, f5.6, f8...

 

[Larry the sailor]

But there is more to the exterior wall than this. You likely have a layer of 5/8" OSB or 1xSomething boards - depending on the age of the house - moisture barrier and then a layer of siding. All of this nailed down to the structure. It would be next to impossible for 1 person to bust through OSB and siding.

I've yet to have my darkroom wired but it will be done by an electician. For the most part, don't be stupid with electrical stuff in the darkroom and it won't be a fire hazard. If your outlets look like Clark Griswold's in Christmas Vacation, you may have some problems...

Having done quite a bit of repairs and upgrades to my 80+ year old refurbished farm house over the years, I am very knowledgeable about the baseline structure. I stand by my position on my ability to make a "field expedient" exit if properly motivated.

 

[MattKing]

electician

Is that someone who is an expert on elections?
I second the recommendation to employ an electrician.

 

[cramej]

Is that someone who is an expert on elections?
I second the recommendation to employ an electrician.

I'd better hire and electrician instead. Otherwise my wiring will be completely jacked up...

 

[Agulliver]

Paper is not easy to ignite, especially if the sheets are are packed fairly tightly. I don't think the chemicals used to coat photo paper are especially flammable either (I miss the correct word "inflammable"). Just try throwing a pack of paper on a bonfire or a lit fireplace....

I know American houses generally have plasterboard walls whereas European houses are often all brick. Still, there's nothing in the average dark room that i actually highly flammable. Unless you're using some jungle juice chemicals, your B&W and colour chemistry isn't going to catch fire even if it gets hot.

One thing worth looking at is ensuring any electrical sockets and equipment and their distance from your sink. You're still not likely to cause an electrical fire by splashing your enlarger but it's dangerous.

 

[Harry Stevens]

The piont being missed is a any room can be classed a fire hazzard even if it as nothing in it, it's all to do a with a exit.Smoke and fumes will kill you in a empty room.

 

[AgX]

But that is not the common meaning, which refers to easily flamable materials.

 

[Harry Stevens]

Well tell that to the fire service that pull dead bodies regulary out of buildings without even a burn mark on them.............

 

[MattKing]

As it is our bathroom, I hope not.

Specially since it has a fire sprinkler in it.

 

[AgX]

Well tell that to the fire service that pull dead bodies regulary out of buildings without even a burn mark on them.............

But your argument is not related to the original question of this thread.
Any naked room in any building could be a trap to be poisoned.

 

[Harry Stevens]

But your argument is not related to the original question of this thread.
Any naked room in any building could be a trap to be poisoned.

Well thats my point, some if not most people seem to be deciding wether their dark room is a fire hazzard or not purely on what it contains,a empty room that as no contents can be classed as a fire hazzard if there is no escape route.The first thing on the UK fire risk assesement chart is

• emergency routes and exits

 

[AgX]

Here many privat darkrooms are located in basements. And in more modern houses the respective windows lead to blocked light bays.
However the life time one spends at home in rooms with no second exit is limited.
And often the 2nd exit is no much help either as it ends at great hight, as here the privat home is less common than in other countries.
I am related to the fire service.

 

[Harry Stevens]

I can't add anymore if you don't get it then you don't get it.

 

[AgX]

• emergency routes and exits

The reality here in Germany is that the vast majority of appartments do not have a second exit that can be used by the tennant on its own (unless he invests himself in emergency escape aids).
And I am speaking of appartments.
Single rooms within a appartment having a second exit are already rare, this exit leading to another escape way even more.

We have to distinguish between dreams of a fire protection officer and the reality.

 

[Harry Stevens]

The reality here in Germany is that the vast majority of appartments do not have a second exit that can be used by the tennant on its own (unless he invests himself in emergency escape aids).
And I am speaking of appartments.
Single rooms within a appartment having a second exit are already rare, this exit leading to another escape way even more.

We have to distinguish between dreams of a fire protection officer and the reality.

Same in Britian and I agree !00% with your post, I was looking at it through the eyes of the fire service which of course can't be applied to peoples dwellings. I consider my own home a fire hazzard due to the materials used and the exits but not because it as a darkroom..