Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety This document should be used by project managers and design professionals on campus to help identify specific Environmental Health and Safety topics related to laboratory design during new construction or renovation projects. This checklist is a list of general requirements of some of the basic health and safety considerations that shall be included in the design features for any laboratory project. Variations from these guidelines need approval from Environmental Health and Safety. Please complete the checklist and review with the Environmental Health and Safety Department. Environmental Health and Safety should be involved in all phases of project-planning, starting with the initial design meeting, and should be included on the project’s design team. Building: Project Name: Projected Start Date: Brief Description of Project:
Date: Project Number: Projected Completion Date:
New Construction
Renovation
Building Design Considerations for Laboratory Facilities Fire Protection YES NO N/A • Have the proper fireproof construction materials for the building been selected?
All City of Chicago Building Codes for fire protection and fire resistive rating must be followed. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to identify which NFPA 45 requirements need to be followed.
•
Have the requirements of NFPA 45 – Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals been followed? Laboratory Separation • Have provisions been made for the separation of laboratory space from non-laboratory space?
•
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to identify proper fireproof construction materials.
YES
NO
N/A
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help ensure proper separation of laboratory space with non-laboratory space. It is recommended to keep offices and employee support areas outside of laboratory spaces. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help ensure proper separation of public spaces from laboratory spaces.
Have provisions been made to keep public access corridors separate from laboratory corridors?
It is highly recommended to maintain public access along the perimeter of the building.
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Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety Corridors • Are corridor configurations arranged to keep laboratory activities separate from nonlaboratory activities and allow proper means of egress? • Are service corridors kept completely separate from public access corridors?
YES
NO
N/A
All corridors shall meet the City of Chicago Building Codes pertaining to means of egress. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help ensure proper separation of service and public access corridors. All corridors shall meet the City of Chicago Building Codes pertaining to means of egress. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help ensure secured access to service corridors.
•
Have provisions been made for secured access to service corridors? • Is access to shut-off valves, electrical equipment, gas cylinders supply, etc. maintained in designated closets or mechanical spaces? Building Security • Is the building designed to withstand local conditions such as tornados?
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help ensure proper corridor configurations.
YES
NO
N/A
•
Are provisions made for locking control key systems, alarm devices, lighting systems, building hardening, vehicle movement and surveillance? General Laboratory Unit Considerations Laboratory Shell YES • Will the laboratory unit, laboratory support areas and chemical storage areas consist of walls on all sides, a floor, and a ceiling?
Walls YES • Will walls be painted with washable, hard, non-porous, cleanable, epoxy material? • Will walls consist of cove bases along the floor and backsplashes along lab benches?
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help ensure proper closure of shut-off valves, electrical equipment, gas cylinder supply, etc. inside designated closets or mechanical spaces. Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to and design professional to ensure resistance to natural disasters. If no or unsure, work with EH&S and design professional to ensure building security elements are in place.
NO
NO
N/A
N/A
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Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper laboratory unit configuration. All laboratory units shall consist of walls on all sides, a floor and ceiling. All City of Chicago Building Codes pertaining to fire protection shall be followed. Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for wall paint and other coverings. If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for bases, wall, and floor protection to spills and splashes.
Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety Windows • Will insect screens be installed for windows that open? Floors • Will floors be constructed of nonpervious, cleanable, seamless, sheet vinyl, epoxy or similar material? • Will floors consist of gently rounded cove base to the walls? Lighting • Are provisions in place for adequate illumination for sufficient visibility? • Will interior lighting consist of highoutput fluorescent fixtures that can provide 70 foot-candles evenly distributed when measured at one meter from the floor? Sinks • Are provisions in place for a sink designated for hand washing?
•
YES
NO
N/A
YES
NO
N/A
YES
NO
N/A
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for floor bases. Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for lighting. If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for lighting.
YES
NO
N/A
All lighting ballasts should be mounted externally. Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for hand washing sinks. Hand washing sinks should be located in close proximity to the laboratory door. Additional hand washing sinks should be considered for larger laboratories and open research spaces. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper laboratory sink design.
Does the sink have lips that protect drains from chemical spills?
•
Does the sink have a cleanable and removable strainer in the drain basin? • Will the sink be constructed of stainless steel or epoxy resins that are chemical resistant? • Will the sink basin be of sufficient height and the sink consists of a low profile faucet to reduce splashing? Laboratory Furniture • Are provision made to construct all working surfaces such as bench tops and counters with sturdy and chemical resistant materials?
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for insect screens. Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for flooring.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper laboratory sink design. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper laboratory sink design. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper laboratory sink design.
YES
NO
N/A
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for laboratory furniture. All furniture should be capable of supporting the anticipated loading.
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Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety •
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for recommendations for laboratory ergonomic design.
Is the furniture designed with basic ergonomic specifications?
Laboratory Access and Security YES • Will the laboratory, laboratory support areas and chemical storage areas have means to secure regulated items such as radioactive materials?
NO
N/A
All regulated items shall have means for secured access and control from unauthorized personnel and the public. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure secured access to laboratories, laboratory support areas and chemical storage areas.
•
Are provisions made for locking control key systems or equivalent to prevent unauthorized personnel entrance into laboratory spaces? Chemical Storage and Shelving Chemical Storage YES • Is the laboratory designed to only allow temporary storage of chemicals (as needed use)?
•
•
•
Fabric materials on furniture such as chairs shall not be used in laboratories. Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all regulated items are secured properly.
NO If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure only temporary storage of chemicals on an as needed basis. Long term storage of chemicals should be designated to chemical storage areas. City of Chicago Municipal Code 15-28 – Hazardous Materials and Combustible Solids shall be followed. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper chemical separation in storage cabinets.
Will storage cabinets be designed with partitions to separate incompatible chemicals?
Refer to the University’s Hazardous Materials Management Plan for a guideline on chemical storage separation. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper storage of flammable liquids.
Will flammable liquid storage cabinets be provided for storage of flammable liquids?
Flammable liquid storage cabinets must be UL listed and shall be provided for flammable liquids greater than ten gallons. If no or unsure, work with EH&S on recommended shelving height.
Is laboratory shelving design as to not require the laboratory personnel to reach greater than twelve inches to the highest shelf?
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Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety Laboratory Fume Hoods Laboratory Fume Hoods • Has an evaluation been completed to assess the appropriate type and number of fume hoods needed?
•
• • • •
•
YES
NO
N/A
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure end user needs are met for laboratory fume hoods. The design professional should incorporate all ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003 – Laboratory Ventilation requirements into the design process. Please refer to the University’s Chemical Fume Hood Policy for more information. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper location of the laboratory fume hoods.
Has consideration been given to the location of the fume hood with respect to open windows, doorways, traffic, and other items that influence the containment ability of the hood? Are there any provisions for incorporating perchloric acid fume hoods? Will fume hood exhaust systems be connected to emergency power system? Is the fume hood designed to contain spills inside the hood? Are provisions in place for adequate supply of make-up air in the laboratory for the fume hood exhausts?
Fume hoods should not be located adjacent to a single means of egress exit or directly next to personnel workstations. If yes, work with EH&S to ensure proper design, location, and use of perchloric acid fume hood. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper emergency back-up power for laboratory fume hoods. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper spill containment inside fume hoods. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure proper make-up air requirements for a laboratory with fume hoods. The combined air supply and exhaust should still maintain a negative pressure for most laboratories and provide approximately six air exchanges per hour. If yes, work with EH&S to ensure proper location for drying ovens or drying cabinets.
Are there provisions to install drying ovens or drying cabinets in the laboratory?
Drying ovens or drying cabinets shall not be installed underneath laboratory fume hoods. Emergency Eyewashes and Safety Showers Emergency Eyewashes YES • Are provisions in place to install an emergency eyewash station in areas where contamination of the eye by corrosive materials, severely irritating materials and materials that are toxic by skin absorption is likely?
NO
N/A
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency eyewash requirements are met. Design professionals shall follow all 29 CFR 1910.151(c) and ANSI Z358.1-2009 – Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment Standard requirements. Please refer to the University’s Emergency Eyewashes and Showers Policy for more information.
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Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety •
•
•
•
•
•
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency eyewash requirements are met.
Will the emergency eyewash station be located as to allow the user to reach it in ten seconds or less on the same level of the building?
The emergency eyewash station shall be identified with a highly visible sign. The areas around the eyewash shall be well lit and highly visible. If yes, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency eyewash station requirements are met.
Are provisions in place to locate electrical apparatuses, telephones, thermostat, power outlets, etc. near the eyewash station?
All electrical items and appliances should be at least 18 inches away from the eyewash station on both sides. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency eyewash requirements are met.
Will the emergency eyewash station be designed to deliver water to both eyes simultaneously at a volume of at least 1.5 liters/minute?
The velocity shall not be too high as to cause injury to the eyes. Emergency eyewash stations shall not be monocular. If yes, work with EH&S to ensure that emergency eyewash stations are not substituted for drench hoses.
Are there provisions to install drench hoses in the laboratory, laboratory support area, or chemical storage area?
Drench hoses may be used as a means to remove chemical contamination from various parts of the body, but they shall not substitute emergency eyewash stations. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency eyewash requirements are met.
Will the water that is plumbed in the emergency eyewash station be “tepid?”
Water temperature shall be in the range of 27°C to 35°C (80°F to 95°F). If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency eyewash requirements are met.
Will floor drains be provided on all fixed eyewash stations?
Emergency Safety Showers • Are provisions in place to install an emergency safety shower in areas where gross chemical contamination of the body is likely?
YES
NO
N/A
P or U traps to floor drains should be considered. Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency safety shower requirements are met. Design professionals shall follow all 29 CFR 1910.151(c) and ANSI Z358.1-2009 – Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment Standard requirements. Please refer to the University’s Emergency Eyewashes and Showers Policy for more information.
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Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety •
•
• • •
•
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency safety shower requirements are met.
Will the emergency safety shower be located as to allow the user to reach it in ten seconds or less on the same level of the building?
The emergency safety shower shall be identified with a highly visible sign. The areas around the eyewash shall be well lit and highly visible. If yes, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency safety shower requirements are met.
Are provisions in place to locate electrical apparatuses, telephones, thermostat, power outlets, etc. near the safety shower?
All electrical items and appliances should be at least 18 inches away from the emergency safety shower on both sides. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency safety shower requirements are met. If no or unsure, work with EHS to ensure all emergency safety shower requirements are met. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency safety shower requirements are met.
Will the emergency safety shower have a minimum volume of 75.7 liters/minute (20 gallons/minute)? Will the emergency safety shower be designed to be activated in less than one second, when needed? Will the water that is plumbed in the emergency safety shower be “tepid?”
Water temperature shall be in the range of 27°C to 35°C (80°F to 95°F). If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency safety shower requirements are met.
Will floor drains be provided for all emergency safety showers?
Combination Eyewashes and Showers • Will a combination eyewash and safety shower be installed?
YES
NO
N/A
P or U traps to floor drains should be considered. Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all emergency safety shower requirements are met. The preferred solution to emergency eyewashes and safety showers is a combination eyewash and safety shower.
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Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety Fire Safety and Means of Egress Fire Safety • Are provisions being made for City of Chicago Building Codes pertaining to fire safety and means of egress?
•
Will the main aisle ways used for means of egress have a clearance of at least thirty-six inches?
•
Will the minimum aisle clearance of at least twenty-six inches be maintained in all laboratories and laboratory support areas?
YES
NO
N/A
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all fire safety and means of egress requirements are met. All City of Chicago Building Codes for fire safety and means of egress shall be followed. Refer to the University’s Fire Safety Policy for more information. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all fire safety and means of egress requirements are met. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all fire safety and means of egress requirements are met.
Will the pathway clearance of thirtysix inches be maintained at the face of the exit?
More than twenty-six inches is ideal to make room for necessary equipment. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all fire safety and means of egress requirements are met.
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Will the laboratory doors be selfclosing and allow access and egress for laboratory personnel?
There shall be no obstruction in the exit way that may hamper travel and evacuation. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all fire safety and means of egress requirements are met.
•
Are all exit doors designed to swing in the direction of exit travel?
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all fire safety and means of egress requirements are met.
•
Are provisions made for the proper selection, location, and number of portable fire extinguishers?
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all fire safety and means of egress requirements are met.
Are sprinklers installed inside a laboratory without any obstructions?
Fire extinguishers shall be clearly marked and shall not be blocked by other objects. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all fire safety and means of egress requirements are met.
•
•
Sprinkler heads must have a clearance of at least 18 inches from the sprinkler head to the nearest object. Page 8 of 9
Laboratory Planning and Design Review Checklist Environmental Health and Safety Electricity and Utilities Electrical Safety • Will NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code be incorporated into the design of the laboratory, laboratory support area, and chemical storage areas? •
•
Will laboratory benches be equipped with a continuous outlet molding with outlets spacing about every six to twelve inches?
•
Are provisions in place to fit the laboratory and laboratory support area with electrical outlets that can accommodate current requirements with an additional twenty to forty percent capacities of its intended use? Will circuit breakers be located outside of the laboratory, but not in rated corridors?
•
NO
N/A
Required Actions If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all electrical installation requirements are met. The City of Chicago requires that the National Electrical Code be followed for all electrical installations. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all electrical safety requirements are met.
Will NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace be incorporated into the design of the laboratory, laboratory support area and chemical storage areas? Will outlets be located on every open wall such that there are no more than six feet of wall space to any given outlet?
•
•
YES
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all electrical installations and safety requirements are met. Quad outlet boxes are recommended over duplex boxes. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all electrical installation and safety requirements are met. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all electrical installations and safety requirements are met.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all electrical installation and safety requirements are met. Circuit breaker panels and similar equipment shall be labeled with a notification of an electrical rating. If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all electrical installations and safety requirements are met.
Will electrical receptacles above countertops, on bench tops, and within six feet of any wet areas such as a sink contain GFCI circuit protection?
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