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5/22/06
S.O.P. # 51 1
5/22/06
SOP # 51
SCOPE
51.1 The number of clandestine drug laboratories has increased dramatically in recent
years. Toxic chemicals, explosions, fires, booby traps, and even armed criminals can be
encountered when coming across these labs. This document is intended to give
members an overview and guide for recognizing and operating at these types of
incidents.
Industrial buildings
Motel rooms
Private homes
Motor homes
Motor vehicles
In short, a small lab may be set up anywhere out of sight of the general public, and it
does not take a college educated chemist to accomplish the manufacturing of this drug.
HAZARD/IDENTIFICATION
51.3 There are various general hazards associated with clandestine drug labs;
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S.O.P. # 51 2
METHOD #1:
Chemicals encountered
Methylamine
Mercuric Chloride
Alcohol
Phenyl-2-Propanone
Chemical Hazards
Severe eye and skin irritation from methylamine(may cause
blindness.)
Use of highly toxic mercuric chloride
Occasional use of methylamine compressed gas cylinders
METHOD # 2:
1) Ammonia Lab
Chemicals encountered
Anhydrous ammonia
Lithium
Sodium
Chemical Hazards
Reaction of water with sodium/lithium
Flammability and irritant toxicity hazard from concentrated
ammonia vapors.
Electroplating sodium metal from molten sodium hydroxide.
METHOD #3:
1) Red Phosphorous Lab
Chemicals Encountered
Red phosphorous
Hydriotic acid
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S.O.P. # 51 3
Chemical Hazards
Phosphine gas production
Conversion of red phosphorous to white phosphorous
Use of acid gas generators
Exothermic/incompatible reaction of red phosphorous
51.5 There are a number of indicators that firefighters should watch for when
responding to a potential drug lab or other unknown condition;
POLICY
51.6 Clandestine drug laboratory investigations, seizures, and arrests of suspects are
all Police department and law enforcement agency matters. The Boston Fire
Department will provide support for the Boston Police Department, or other law
enforcement agencies, at these lab sites. Support may consist of, but is not limited to;
Chemical research
PPE information
Exterior air monitoring
Entry corridor/ Decontamination corridor set up
Back-up/Rescue entry team
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S.O.P. # 51 4
The Engine company on scene will then stretch a 1 ¾ inch hoseline to the edge of the
cold zone as an emergency Decon line.
51.8 Upon his/her arrival, the District Chief will assess the situation, and if necessary,
shall call for the balance of the drug lab response;
51.9 First responders exposed to the potential unstable materials shall establish a
waiting area at the edge of the isolation/hot zone. Responding Decon companies shall
set up an entry corridor/Decon corridor from their location out into the cold zone. In the
case of a lab reported to the BFD by the BPD, H-5 and H-7 will set up this corridor in a
location approved by the BPD Incident Commander.
IDENTIFICATIONOF LAB-FIRE
51.10 Once a lab is identified, members shall implement the following procedures to
ensure the safety of responders and the public.
No interior firefighting
All personnel evacuate affected area in orderly fashion
Personnel accountability shall be maintained
DO NOT interrupt utilities to the building
DO NOT touch /move anything in or around incident area
DO NOT apply water to lab area (possibility of reactive materials)
DO NOT overhaul
51.11 When indicators of a clandestine lab are found, treat the call as a hazardous
materials incident. Create an exclusion zone- withdraw immediately to a safe location
upwind/uphill: follow response procedures as per SOP 53 for Hazardous Materials.
51.12 The District Chief and the HazMat Chief, after conferring with the law
enforcement I.C., will call for any additional HazMat response that is necessary to
assist the entry team. This may include B.F.D. HazMat entry teams as back up rescue
for initial entry teams.
DECONTAMINATION
51.13 The initial entry corridor/exclusion zone line shall be used for setting up the
Decon corridor, unless conditions require that a different site be used. Refer to S.O.P
53B on placement and set up of Decon.
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S.O.P. # 51 5
51.14 Request may be made From the law enforcement personnel having jurisdiction
to set up an evidence corridor in the Decon line, as this event will be considered a crime
scene. The law enforcement agency entry team will be following their own
teams must use the designated corridor to enter/exit the hot zone. Decon will remain in
place until completion of HazMat operations.
51.15 The Boston Fire Department will not remove or dispose of any hazardous
materials associated with a clandestine drug laboratory. Proper disposal is the
responsibility of the law enforcement agency that is making the seizure.
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