SAFETY GUIDELINES
Fire Safety
The Host Committee will ensure that fire extinguishers of proper size and rating are available in the exhibit area and will establish an exhibit hall layout that minimizes long rows to reduce the possibility of flame spread.
Operation of an open flame, candle, torch or any other heating device is not permitted. Smoking is not permitted in the exhibit area.
Packing material shall not be stored under tables.
Electrical Safety
All AC electrical equipment used in your display must have a functional three-wire plug with ground or be CSA approved. Extension cords, power bars and lighting must be CSA approved.
Electrical cords shall have a three-wire conductor with ground and must be CSA approved and in good repair.
Any modification to an electrical device negates the CSA approval, and that device must not be used. Dry cells (Alkaline, NiCad, NiMH, LiIon, etc.) and sealed lead-acid batteries (gel cells) may be used. Wet cell batteries are not permitted.
Electrical devices constructed by finalists must comply with the following requirements to be approved for display. As they cannot be CSA approved, these devices may only be connected and operated during judging.
Structural and Mechanical Safety
Exhibits must be sturdy, self-supporting and sufficiently stable to prevent accidental tipping.
Sharp edges or corners of prisms, mirrors, enclosures and glass or metal plates that may be contacted by the public must be removed or protected to prevent injury.
Dangerous moving parts such as belts, gears, pulleys and blades must be provided with a guard to prevent access to the moving parts.
An in-running nip hazard of any part of a motor, device or thing that may be a danger shall be guarded to prevent contact with the pinch point.
A certificate of safety inspection must be displayed if a project involves the construction or use of a boiler or pressure vessel with a capacity greater than 42.5 litres or operated at a pressure greater than 103 kilopascals. Evidence of inspection by an engineer with certification in boilers and pressure vessels should be displayed when the project involves any finalist- constructed pressure vessel, regardless of size or pressure. Such vessels may be displayed but must not be pressurized at any time.
Compressed gas cylinders shall not be displayed.
Moving exhibits (e.g., radio-controlled vehicles, robots) shall be restricted to the regulation display space. The Host Committee may, at its discretion, provide an area to safely demonstrate projects that require more than the regulation display space.
Chemical Safety
The following materials shall not be displayed:
The display of chemicals is discouraged; however, other substances can be used to simulate chemicals for display purposes:
Biohazards
The following materials shall not be displayed:
The Host Committee will ensure that fire extinguishers of proper size and rating are available in the exhibit area and will establish an exhibit hall layout that minimizes long rows to reduce the possibility of flame spread.
Operation of an open flame, candle, torch or any other heating device is not permitted. Smoking is not permitted in the exhibit area.
Packing material shall not be stored under tables.
Electrical Safety
All AC electrical equipment used in your display must have a functional three-wire plug with ground or be CSA approved. Extension cords, power bars and lighting must be CSA approved.
Electrical cords shall have a three-wire conductor with ground and must be CSA approved and in good repair.
Any modification to an electrical device negates the CSA approval, and that device must not be used. Dry cells (Alkaline, NiCad, NiMH, LiIon, etc.) and sealed lead-acid batteries (gel cells) may be used. Wet cell batteries are not permitted.
Electrical devices constructed by finalists must comply with the following requirements to be approved for display. As they cannot be CSA approved, these devices may only be connected and operated during judging.
- Electrical devices must be protected by a non-combustible enclosure.
- An insulating grommet is required at the point where electrical service enters an enclosure.
- Electrical devices shall use as low a voltage as possible.
- The electric current must be limited so as not to cause any danger or discomfort if the terminals are touched.
- A pilot light must be used to indicate when power is on.
Structural and Mechanical Safety
Exhibits must be sturdy, self-supporting and sufficiently stable to prevent accidental tipping.
Sharp edges or corners of prisms, mirrors, enclosures and glass or metal plates that may be contacted by the public must be removed or protected to prevent injury.
Dangerous moving parts such as belts, gears, pulleys and blades must be provided with a guard to prevent access to the moving parts.
An in-running nip hazard of any part of a motor, device or thing that may be a danger shall be guarded to prevent contact with the pinch point.
A certificate of safety inspection must be displayed if a project involves the construction or use of a boiler or pressure vessel with a capacity greater than 42.5 litres or operated at a pressure greater than 103 kilopascals. Evidence of inspection by an engineer with certification in boilers and pressure vessels should be displayed when the project involves any finalist- constructed pressure vessel, regardless of size or pressure. Such vessels may be displayed but must not be pressurized at any time.
Compressed gas cylinders shall not be displayed.
Moving exhibits (e.g., radio-controlled vehicles, robots) shall be restricted to the regulation display space. The Host Committee may, at its discretion, provide an area to safely demonstrate projects that require more than the regulation display space.
Chemical Safety
The following materials shall not be displayed:
- Flammable, toxic or dangerous chemicals
- Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications
The display of chemicals is discouraged; however, other substances can be used to simulate chemicals for display purposes:
- Table salt can be used to simulate many chemicals, such as ammonium nitrate.
- Water can represent alcohol, ether and many other liquids. Molasses can be used to simulate petroleum products.
- When chemicals are simulated, they should be identified with the name of the substance they represent, preceded by the word “simulated.” Any WHMIS labels (supplier or workplace) should be attached to show understanding of safe work practices.
Biohazards
The following materials shall not be displayed:
- Biological toxins
- Cell or tissue samples including blood and blood products, except on sealed microscope slides, which may be displayed
- Plants or plant tissue
- Soil containing organic material
- Cultures – Photographs or simulated cultures may be used.