Introduction to STET (for students)

1. Who we are

Warwick Sustainable Thermal Energy Technologies (STET) is a large research group specialising in the research and development of heating and cooling technologies. The group occupies specialist laboratory spaces including:

Five project laboratories for the building and testing of heating and cooling technologies and materials.

Thermal Properties Laboratories, containing over £1m of state-of-the-art thermal analysis (TGA, DSC, STA, etc.) and materials testing equipment.

ThermXS Laboratory, a custom-built facility for the testing of large-scale heating and cooling prototypes (e.g. heat pumps, thermal stores), that provides 60 kW of heating and cooling power via steam, water and oil.

Two large environmental chambers used for testing heating and cooling technologies over a range of humidities and temperatures (-20°C to 50°C).

A large Class A solar simulator that simulates the sun via 1330 lamps, for evaluating PV and solar thermal panels.

2. First Aid

In the event of an accident or medical emergency there may be a need to summon first aid or other assistance:

Inside normal working hours - The School of Engineering First Aid Poster provides the contact details and usual office location of first aiders in the school. The posters can be found at various locations in the school including on notice boards and at the entrance to laboratories and workshops.
Outside of normal working hours - contact the security office for first aid assistance 22222 (or 02476 522222 from a mobile).
Ambulance required - call 999 and then the security office on 22222 (or 02476 522222 from a mobile).

All First Aiders are provided with a first aid kits. In addition, first aid kits are available in communal areas should they be required outside of normal working hours.. The nearest First Aid Box to STET is located outside D009B, opposite the STET main entrance.

Hazard-specific first aid

The practical nature of research projects means there may be several hazards present in our laboratories, in particular chemical hazards from several gases. These chemical hazards are detailed in the relevant COSHH assessments. If your work involves any chemicals or gases, you should read these before commencing any practical work. A summary of first aid actions is given below:

Ammonia (gas)

Inhalation: Remove victim to uncontaminated area. Keep victim warm and rested. Call a doctor. Apply artificial respiration if breathing stopped.

Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Drench affected area with water for at least 15 minutes.

Eye contact: Immediately flush eyes thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes.

Ingestion: Ingestion is not considered a potential route of exposure.

Ammonia hydroxide

Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water, also under the eyelids, for at least 15 minutes. Immediate medical attention is required. Keep eye wide open while rinsing.

Skin Contact: Wash off immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove and wash contaminated clothing and gloves, including the inside, before re-use. Call a doctor immediately.

Ingestion: Do NOT induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Clean mouth with water. Call a doctor immediately.

Inhalation: If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Remove from exposure, lie down. Call a doctor immediately.

Nitrogen (liquid)

Inhalation: In high concentrations may cause asphyxiation. Symptoms may include loss of mobility/consciousness. Victim may not be aware of asphyxiation. Remove victim to uncontaminated area. Keep victim warm and rested. Call a doctor. Apply artificial respiration if breathing stopped.

Eye contact: Rinse the eye with water immediately. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Flush thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes. Get immediate medical assistance. If medical assistance is not immediately available, flush an additional 15 minutes.

Skin Contact: Contact with evaporating liquid may cause frostbite or freezing of skin. If clothing is saturated with the liquid and adhering to the skin then the area should be thawed with lukewarm water prior to removing the clothing.

Nitrogen (compressed gas)

3. Fire arrangements

The School of Engineering fire alarm is tested every Thursday morning. Fire drills may be notified beforehand by notices on building entrances, but otherwise will be scheduled each term.

Action in the event of a fire alarm

Leave the building as quickly and orderly as possible, do not collect belongings and do not run, proceed to the assembly area. The Fire Assembly area is directly opposite the school, by the entrance to the Humanities Building

Action to take in discovering a fire

Raise the alarm, shout ‘Fire!’ and activate the nearest fire alarm call point. If safe to do so, shut down any machinery/equipment that you are using, close windows and any doors. Evacuate the building via the nearest exit following the directional fire exit signage to your nearest designated assembly point. Call Security on x22222 from a landline or (024765 22222 from a mobile phone) and state:

The place of the fire
Any casualties
Your name

Do not return to fight the fire unless you have received fire extinguisher training and the fire is small enough for you to tackle. Do not take any risks. If a Fire Warden has to ask you to leave, please do so immediately.

STET fire exit routes

There are three fire exit doors located in or near STET:

First Floor: D100 Kitchenette
First Floor: Between D107 and D105
Ground Floor: D014
Ground Floor: Adjacent to D004C

4. Emergency Arrangements

The following guidance summarises local actions in the event of an unplanned chemical release. See the ‘Emergency Plan ’ for more details on hazard and detection locations.

In the event of any major chemical release, leak or spill you must:
Raise the alarm and activate the nearest fire alarm call point.
If safe to do so, shut down any machinery/equipment that you are using, close windows and any doors.
Evacuate the building via the nearest exit following the directional fire exit signage to your nearest designated assembly point.
Call Security on x22222 from a landline or (024765 22222 from a mobile phone) and state: the place and type of incident (e.g. ammonia leak), any casualties, your name.

Hazard-specific containment information is summarised below.

Ammonia (gas)

Try to stop release if safe to do so. Evacuate immediate area immediately. Monitor concentration of released product using gas detection panels that adjoin D105, D107, D014 and D004C. Only enter spaces once levels have dropped below STEL limit (25 ppm).In case of minor leak (<25 ppm), ensure adequate ventilation if possible, in addition to forced extraction. If a leak occurs outside, stay upwind. Keep area evacuated and free from ignition sources until any spilled liquid has evaporated (ground free from frost). Wash contaminated equipment or sites of leaks with copious quantities of water. Hose down area with water if necessary.

Ammonia hydroxide

See above for ammonia. In addition, soak up with inert absorbent material. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal. Spare 20 litre PET containers are kept behind D004C.

Nitrogen (liquid)

Evacuate area and provide adequate ventilation. Monitor oxygen levels via D105/D107 detection panels. Beware that liquid nitrogen spillages can cause embrittlement of structural materials.

Nitrogen (compressed gas)

Evacuate area and provide adequate ventilation. Monitor oxygen levels via D105/D107 detection panels.