DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
From: Janet Baum <baum.janet**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Repurposing a chemical laboratory to a food safe laboratory
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:21:16 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: CAAgNRJjJZNB7g32npNXDktZ1fzdYK4g9hovyj-POeDfRU3zWHQ**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com
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Dear Katherine, I am one of the contributing authors to the NAP book on laboratory design that Laurence Doemeny referred to in his message to you. May I offer some guidance to you?
Bruce Tobias suggested following the ANSI-ASSE Std 9.11, 2016 for decommissioning. I would add that because it is an old, unused chemistry lab under consideration to renovate, that you may also have some decontamination evaluation and process to execute first. Mercury, perchlorics, and asbestos are only a few of many hazardous substances that may currently contaminate the space.
There is a good chapter 4, "Renovations: Laboratory Considerations" in another book I co-authored, Guidelines for Laboratory Design: Health, Safety, and Environmental Considerations, 4th ed., DeBerardinis, Baum, First, Gatwood, and Seth, 2013. This chapter thoroughly discusses decontamination and decommissioning prior to renovation.
Secondly, even if this "kitchen" lab renovation is not funded by Food and Drug Administration, you will need to contact the local Department of Health to learn of their requirements for the laboratory sanitation and set-up for their approval. To make that contact with DOH, you may want to engage your university/college EHS Department.
Perhaps you currently don't have or don't require DOH certification because you use a classroom and bring everything in on carts. Regulations for this activity are likely to change when you relocate a food preparation, testing, and tasting lab to an old chemistry lab, unless that lab is properly decontaminated, decommissioned, and constructed in a manner in which sanitation and safety are assured.
Janet Baum, AIA, DCHAS
Harvard U. School of Public Health
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