A lot has been written about alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) and their effectiveness in dealing with infection control, particularly in health care facilities. 

What many don’t realize is that these products contain alcohol, a flammable liquid. In fact, in order to meet the definition of a waterless hand sanitizer for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the product must be at least 60 percent alcohol by volume. Flammable liquids give off vapors that can be easily ignited. Once ignited, they burn very intensely (alcohols normally burn with a clean blue flame and produce very little smoke). They can contribute to the rapid spread of fires that originate elsewhere in the building (e.g. linen or cleaning cart fire). 

Where they are used          

ABHRs were first used in health care occupancies (hospitals, nursing home, and ambulatory surgery centers). They are now also being used schools, grocery stores and other occupancies.

Code requirements

The 2020 Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC) controls the use and storage of flammable liquids. 

The use of wall‑mounted dispensers containing ABHRs classified as Class I or Class II liquids shall be in accordance with the fire code. Corridor installations must also comply with the fire code. The following are some of the requirements:

• Maximum capacity of each dispenser is 68 ounces.
• The dispensers must separated from each other by at least 48 inches horizontally. 
• Dispensers shouldn't be installed directly adjacent to, directly above or below an electrical receptacle, switch, appliance, device or other ignition source. The wall space between the dispenser and the floor needs to be clear and unobstructed.
• Dispensers must be mounted with the bottom 42 to 48 inches above the floor.
• Dispensers must release their contents by manual activation. Automatic “touch free” release is allowed when complying with the fire code.
• Storage and use of ABHR’s must comply with the fire code.
• Dispensers installed directly over carpeted floors are OK only in smoke compartments or fire areas protected with automatic sprinklers installed to National Fire Protection Association standards. 
• In corridors, Level 2 and 3 aerosols are not allowed. Maximum capacity of each Class I and II liquid dispenser shall be 41 ounces and maximum capacity of each Level 1 aerosol dispenser shall be 18 ounces. The MAQ in a control area corridor shall comply with the fire code. 
• Where dispensers are in a corridor, the corridor must have a minimum width of 6 feet. 
• The dispenser in corridors can't project horizontally over any walking surface by more than four inches between the heights of 27 inches and 80 inches.