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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] New Science Building- Things to Look Out For Date: Friday, November 17, 2017 at 1:16:13 PM Author: Patrick A Ceas <ceas**At_Symbol_Here**STOLAF.EDU>

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New lab building considerations:

- As noted by others, it is critical to accurately identify chemical inventories and into which spaces they will go so you can assess the building code/fire code implications and design and/or adjust in the initial phases, not after moving in.

- Install water flow detection devices on emergency showers (same technology as used for fire sprinklers), have the flow detection trigger an alarm at a dispatch ... this way if someone working after hours needs to use the shower then help can be summoned promptly.

- Plumb emergency showers to tepid water per the ANSI standard

- Plumb emergency showers to a drain (does raise wastewater discharge considerations in some jurisdictions) But ..... as I have seen, water damage can be very costly from a shower that is flowing for an extended period.

- Include emergency generator (sized to support critical equipment, e.g., -80 deg freezers) and emergency circuit for critical equipment

- If in a seismically active zone, then shelf restraints and restrain systems to keep very expensive, research critical equipment from falling to the floor

- "If money is no object" (right .... ), the installation of RFID proximity detectors a key doorways coupled with RFID tagging of chemical bottles.

- Storage closet(s) for centralized spill response materials

Hope this helps,
Best,

Kevin

Kevin Creed

Program Manager - ChemTracker
Environmental Health & Safety
Stanford University

Office phone: (650) 723-4767

-----Original Message-----
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Stuart, Ralph
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2017 5:23 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] New Science Building- Things to Look Out For

>Does anyone have any lessons learned or other recommendations as we start working with the architects when it comes to planning out our chemistry labs?

My experience in these discussions is that the more specific the plans for what will happen in the labs, the better, but that flexibility in terms of use over time is the key driver in how lab plans develop. This consideration particularly drives the design of the ventilation system. In my opinion, the simpler the ventilation system, the better. In this respect, if you can include estimates of the maintenance costs for the ventilation system, as opposed to best case energy operating costs, the institution will be better off over the life of the building.

It's also important to remind the architects that there are safety aspects to lab design that go beyond the placement of the eyewashes and safety showers...

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

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