Spatial Risk Assessment in a Graduate School: A Comparative Analysis of Fire and Health Hazards from Chemical Warehouse and Laboratories

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide This study presents a semiquantitative dual-hazard framework to characterize the spatial distribution of chemical risks in an academic research institution. A physically verified inventory of 1408 substances stored across a central warehouse and eight laboratories was evaluated using GHS-based hazard banding integrated with quantity, volatility, ignition potential, occupancy, and containment conditions. Two risk scores were generated for each substance -Toxicological Risk (R) and Fire Risk (Rf)-, derived from multiplicative banding that combines GHS hazard categories with stored quantity, volatility/dispersion, occupancy/proximity, and containment/mitigation conditions, and the highest score per storage group was selected following a worst-case principle. The analysis revealed distinct functional patterns: although some laboratories exhibited the highest single-substance R values, the central warehouse displayed the most significant overall toxicological risk profile due to the accumulation of bulk quantities of multiple GHS06 and GHS08 substances, while operational laboratories demonstrated elevated fire risk driven by routine handling of flammable solvents in proximity to potential ignition sources. A dual-axis prioritization matrix ( x -axis: fire risk; y -axis: toxicological risk) classified storage groups into defined risk quadrants, enabling targeted mitigation strategies. No storage groups fell into the quadrant that represents simultaneous high toxicity and high flammability, indicating effective segregation of incompatible hazards. The framework provides a practical and adaptable tool for resource-constrained academic environments seeking to transform static chemical inventories into actionable, location-specific safety strategies.