LABORATORY SAFETY DESIGN GUIDE

Transcription

1 LABORATORY SAFETY DESIGN GUIDE 2014

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1 General Requirements for Laboratories Section 2 Environmental Requirements Section 3 Laboratory Ventilation Section 4 Emergency Eyewash and Safety Shower Equipment Section 5 Compressed Gas and Cryogenic Components and Systems Section 6 Hazardous Materials Storage Cabinets Section 7 Biosafety Laboratories Section 8 Fire Safety Section 9 Additional Requirements for Radioactive Materials Laboratories Section 10 Additional Requirements for Laboratories with Irradiators and/or Radiation Producing Machines Section 11 Additional Requirements for Laboratories Using Non-Ionizing Radiation Sources Appendix A Additional Fume Hood Exhaust Criteria for Facilities Not Owned by the University of Washington Appendix B General Hazardous Materials Provisions Appendix C Laboratory Decommissioning EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 2 of 74

3 INTRODUCTION The construction of laboratory facilities requires oversight. Regulatory requirements must be addressed and good practice must be considered. Laboratory facilities have architectural, space planning, HVAC, environmental control, and fire/life safety requirements not generally found in most types of construction. UW Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) has prepared and will maintain this guide to aid the campus community and project design teams with planning and design issues. The intent of this guide is to improve design efficiency and minimize changes in conjunction with EH&S plan review and consultation services. The guide is a resource document to be used by design professionals during the planning, design and commissioning phases of a project. It is applicable to all facilities occupied by UW employees with an emphasis on those facilities that will be used as laboratory buildings, laboratory units, and laboratory work areas in which hazardous materials are used, handled and stored. The criterion in this guide represents the minimum requirement; more stringent requirements may be necessary depending on the specific laboratory and the type of research being completed. This guide applies to both leased and owned buildings. Supplemental requirements for UW owned and operated buildings are also noted herein and in the UW Facilities Services Design Information Guide maintained by Campus Engineering and Operations. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 3 of 74

4 SECTION 1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES Contents A. Scope B. Building Design Issues C. Laboratory Design Considerations D. Building Requirements E. Hazardous Materials Design Issues F. Entries, Exits, and Aisle Width G. Electrical and Utility Issues EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 4 of 74

5 A. Scope The primary objective in laboratory design should be to provide a safe, accessible environment for laboratory personnel to conduct their work. A secondary objective is to allow for maximum flexibility for safe research and teaching use. Therefore, health and safety hazards shall be anticipated and carefully evaluated so that protective measures can be incorporated into the design wherever possible. The requirements listed below illustrate some of the basic health and safety design features required for new and remodeled laboratories. Variations from these guidelines require approval from the Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S). B. Building Design Issues Because the handling and storage of hazardous materials inherently carries a high risk of exposure and injury, segregate laboratory and non-laboratory activities to the extent possible. 1. Noncombustible construction is preferred. 2. Offices should be separated from laboratories. 3. An automatically triggered main gas shutoff valve for the building should be provided to cut of the natural gas service in a seismic event. C. Laboratory Design Considerations 1. The laboratory shall be bound by four walls and a roof or ceiling. 2. Design for adjacent spaces for storage and consumption of food and drink as needed. 3. Design laboratory workstations to accommodate the range of body dimensions that may be using the workstations. For example, computer and microscopes workstations may require height-adjustable work surfaces and chairs. 4. Each laboratory using hazardous materials, whether chemical, biological, or radioactive, should contain a sink for hand washing. 5. All work surfaces (e.g., bench tops, counters, etc.) should be impervious to the chemicals and materials used in the laboratory. 6. The laboratory shall be designed so that it can be easily cleaned. Bench tops should be of a seamless one-piece design to prevent contamination. Penetrations for EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 5 of 74

6 electrical, plumbing, and other considerations should be completely and permanently sealed. If the bench top abuts a wall, it should be covered or have a backsplash against the wall. 7. The walls shall be non-porous and painted with a durable, impervious finish to facilitate decontamination and cleaning. High gloss paint is recommended. 8. Provide shelf lips for seismic restraint. Lips should be ¾ inch above the shelf surface for bookshelves and 1 ½ inches above the shelf surface for shelves used to store breakable containers, chemicals, or other hazardous materials. 9. Refer to Chapter 11 of the Guide for design considerations for spaces containing Class 3B or 4 Lasers. Design consideration for spaces containing other sources of non-ionizing radiation (radio-frequency, microwave, ultraviolet, etc.) and large magnetic fields can also be found in Chapter 11 of the Guide. D. Building Requirements 1. Building Occupancy Classification and Control Areas Occupancy classification and control areas should be based upon an assessment of the projected chemical inventory of the building. Most teaching and research buildings should not require an H occupancy classification; however, individual H occupancy rooms may be necessary. 2. Facilities using radioactive materials may need to be approved by the State of Washington Department of Health and a Notice of Construction (NOC) may need to be filed with the DOH, depending on what air emission calculations reveal. Please contact the UW Radiation Safety Office to determine if this will be required. E. Hazardous Materials Design Issues 1. Facilities shall be designed so that use of a respirator is not required for normal operations. 2. There must be adequate in-laboratory storage cabinets to store reagents and chemicals and to provide segregation of incompatible materials. Storage design should be based on projected quantities and waste management practices. 3. The laboratory shall have a means of securing specifically regulated materials such as controlled substances regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and radioactive materials, select agents, etc. (i.e., lockable doors, lockable cabinets etc.), where applicable. 4. See Chapters 5 and 6 of the Guide for additional requirements for compressed gas storage and hazardous materials cabinets. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 6 of 74

7 5. Please see Chapter 9 of the Guide for additional requirements for laboratories using radioactive material. Please see Chapter 10 of the Guide for additional requirements for spaces containing large sources of radiation. F. Entries, Exits, and Aisle Width 1. Self-closing laboratory doors should be operable with a minimum of effort to allow access and egress for physically challenged individuals. A minimum of a 36-inch-wide door should be provided to facilitate equipment movement. 2. Laboratory benches, laboratory equipment and other furniture or obstacles shall not be placed so that there is less than five feet of clear egress within the laboratory. 3. Laboratory doors that separate laboratory areas from non-laboratory areas are to be automatically self-closing. 4. Corridors should not be less than 6 feet wide to allow for movement of large equipment and allow for circulation of materials on carts, etc. 5. Common corridors shall not be programmed for laboratory operations. For more information on use of corridors see the Corridor Policy Focus Sheet. 6. Equipment corridors shall be provided with a system designed to allow for securing equipment to prevent movement during an earthquake. G. Electrical and Utility Issues 1. Electrical receptacles above counter tops within six feet of sinks, safety showers, or other sources of water, should have GFCI circuit protection 2. Laboratories shall be provided with light fixture on emergency power at the entrance/exit door. Hallway and corridor emergency light shall be provided based on the local code requirements. 3. New requirements found in the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) state emergency shutoff valves for natural gas lines shall be located INSIDE the lab, adjacent to the egress door. The valve shall be located behind an access panel (similar to a medical gas system) and labeled GAS SHUTOFF. Consideration should be given to locating valves at a height that allows easy access and operation without becoming blocked. 4. Flexible connections shall be used for connecting gas and other plumbed utilities to any freestanding device where rupture of the supply, return, exhaust or vent line could pose a hazard. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 7 of 74

8 SECTION 2: ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS Contents A. Scope B. General Environmental Design Criteria C. Demolition D. Regulated Building Materials EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 8 of 74

9 A. Scope This section presents general guidance to ensure a consistent approach to meeting environmental regulations associated with construction and renovation projects (UW owned and Non-UW owned). EH&S maintains more specific criteria and updated requirements on its website at Please visit the website to ensure all requirements have been met. It should be noted that under certain circumstances issues may not apply to non-uw owned properties and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis through consultation with EH&S. B. General Environmental Design Criteria 1. Air pollution: Installation of fuel-burning equipment and air-pollution-control equipment (spray paint booths, baghouses, etc.) may require an air permit prior to installation. EH&S and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency web site at should be consulted. 2. Laboratories that will be completely or partially vacated due to construction/renovation activities must be adequately cleaned during the process of decommissioning to ensure worker safety. 3. All sources of ionizing radiation are subject to state and federal regulations. The proper management of radioactive materials is required to ensure continued worker safety. 4. Storm water management: Storm water runoff generated by construction and/or renovation activities can degrade surface water quality. Storm water management requirements that are applicable to projects discharging into the City of Seattle storm water system may differ from those associated with projects discharging into the UW storm water system. More information is available on the EH&S website. 5. Underground storage tanks: Underground storage tank systems can threaten the environment and pose a long-term liability for the UW. 6. Other environmental issues: Additional environmental issues will be incorporated into the EH&S website as they are identified. C. Demolition 1. Hazardous wastes must be handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with all applicable University, state, and federal environmental requirements. The EH&S Environmental Programs Office will determine proper waste disposal procedures on behalf of the UW and arrange for disposal. Waste determination may require sampling and analysis, and may take several weeks for receipt of the necessary analytical data EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 9 of 74

10 and final disposal facility approval for shipment offsite. The Project Manager is responsible to ensure waste is properly stored during this time. Hazardous wastes cannot be transported off UW property without a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest signed by a UW EH&S Environmental Programs Office representative. 2. Site contamination: Performing construction in areas of known site contamination is likely to increase project costs significantly. The discovery of suspected environmental contamination during construction activities may require follow-up environmental investigation and reporting. The EH&S website should be consulted for a listing of all UW-owned sites known to be or suspected to be contaminated, and for other requirements associated with site contamination. Documents applicable to construction/renovation projects in the vicinity of the former Montlake landfill include: The Montlake Landfill Management Plan ; The UW Maintenance Plan for Sports Fields, Roads and Parking Areas in East Campus ; and The Montlake Landfill Information Summary, dated January These documents, available via UW EH&S, should also be consulted prior to project design. D. Regulated Building Materials 1. All construction/renovation projects, including those occurring within new buildings or newly renovated areas, must be inspected to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACM), which could be impacted during construction/renovation. With limited exceptions, contract documents shall include abatement of all ACM, since there is a reasonable expectation that they will to be disturbed by construction/renovation activities. When inspecting for asbestos or preparing abatement contract documents, specific consideration shall be given to areas which may be impacted outside the immediate renovation/construction area, nearby restricted access areas, and abatement phasing requirements. The EH&S website should be consulted for these and other asbestos-related requirements and guidance. 2. EH&S maintains restricted access reports identifying areas of asbestos contamination. Construction/renovation within or adjacent to these areas may require the implementation of enhanced safety precautions. Restricted access reports are available on the EH&S website. 3. Historical asbestos survey reports have been compiled on some University buildings. These survey reports are available for review via the Facilities Services Records Department. 4. Depending on work practices, lead-containing materials have the potential to adversely impact the health of construction workers and others located adjacent to the work area. Depending on lead concentrations and final waste streams, lead-containing materials may be designated as a hazardous waste when disposed. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 10 of 74

11 5. The production, use, and handling of ozone-depleting substances (e.g., CFCrefrigerants and HCFC-refrigerants) are regulated by federal regulation 40 of the CFR Part 82. Pursuant to this regulation, CFC-refrigerants are no longer being manufactured, thereby encouraging the production and use of refrigerants that have a lower tendency to deplete atmospheric ozone. In addition, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations prohibit individuals from knowingly venting ozonedepleting compounds used as refrigerants into the atmosphere while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or disposing of refrigeration equipment. More information is available on the EH&S website. 6. PCB-containing materials: Oil-filled electrical equipment (transformers, bushings, capacitors, cooling and insulating fluids, contaminated soil, etc.) poses a long-term liability to the UW due to Washington State Department of Ecology and EPA regulation. These agencies have extensive requirements for waste labeling, handling, marking, storage, contingency planning, staff training, manifesting, transportation and disposal. The EH&S Environmental Programs Office will determine proper waste disposal procedures on behalf of the UW and arrange for disposal through the appropriate agencies. More information can be found on the EH&S website. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 11 of 74

12 SECTION 3: LABORATORY VENTILATION Contents A. Scope B. General Laboratory Ventilation C. Fume Hood Exhaust System Design Criteria (FHES) D. Fume Hood Exhaust System Testing E. Local Exhaust Ventilation F. Laboratory Design References EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 12 of 74

13 A. Scope The purpose of laboratory ventilation is to help provide a safe and comfortable environment that facilitates scientific research and teaching. The expectation is that the design team will provide a combination of general laboratory ventilation, fume hoods, and other local exhaust ventilation (LEV), to contain emissions within the laboratory, depending on the specific needs of the laboratory. This guide provides minimum requirements; more stringent requirements may be necessary depending on the specific laboratory function or contaminants generated. B. General Laboratory Ventilation 1. All laboratories shall have mechanical ventilation. 2. All laboratory rooms shall use 100% outside air and exhaust to the outside. a. a. Using Class I air, as defined by ASHRAE 62.1, as make up air for laboratories will be considered as an exception on a case by case basis. 3. Design the air change rate for each laboratory room to provide the following: a. Adequate make-up air for LEV including fume hoods and bio-safety cabinets. b. Adequate tempering for personal comfort and laboratory requirements 4. Document designed air change rate (ACH) for each laboratory space. 5. Document how the design, including location of supply diffusers, exhaust grilles, and LEV optimizes ventilation effectiveness, including the capture and removal of emissions and mixing of air. Refer to Determination of Laboratory Airflow Rates to better understand the University s expectations. 6. Combined general and fume hood exhaust systems are preferred where their application can provide reduced cost and energy use without compromising safety or system integrity. The following should be included unless alternate design strategies are approved:* a. Use 316 stainless steel duct material except for general exhaust branch upstream of the combined duct b. Use pressure independent air terminal units for balancing as needed *For clarification, see RWDI/ECT paper Combined General and Fume Hood Exhaust and Duct Velocities 7. Fume hoods should not be the sole means of room air exhaust. 8. Provide excess capacity for equipment aging and future expansion. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 13 of 74

14 9. Design for noise levels of 55 dba or less. 10. Do not provide operable windows. 11. Direction of airflow should be from low hazard to high hazard areas. 12. Design to maintain negative pressure relative to adjacent non-lab areas. Provide an offset of 10% or 100 cfm per door to the corridor whichever is greater. 13. Provide adequate makeup air (90% of the exhaust). 14. Locate casework and equipment so as not to interfere with ventilation. 15. Choose location, type, and number of supply air diffusers so as not to compromise performance of fume hoods or other LEV. See RWDI/ECT paper: Laboratory Airflow Distribution. Do not line duct with insulation. 16. Ventilate and alarm cold rooms meant for human occupancy. C. Fume Hood Exhaust System Design Criteria (FHES) 1. Design to incorporate user needs, room configuration and general ventilation. 2. The FHES shall contain and remove fumes generated within the hood. 3. Design with adequate space for hood service and utility connections. 4. Constant volume and variable volume systems are acceptable. 5. Design VAV diversity, typically 80%, around needs and practices of facility. 6. Locate hoods per guidelines provided in RWDI/ECT paper including: a. At the back of labs or in alcoves b. At least 3 feet from obstructions such as large equipment or columns c. At least 4 feet from adjacent doorways and main traffic aisles d. At least 5 feet between fume hoods that face each other e. At an adequate distance from diffusers to prevent significant cross-drafts 7. For perchloric FHES, provide dedicated fan, duct and wash-down system. 8. Locate perchloric hood on building s top floor to minimize duct. 9. For radioisotope FEHS, provide a dedicated fan and duct. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 14 of 74

15 10. For acid digestion, FEHS must be made of fiberglass reinforced plastic or material with similar acid resistance. 11. FHES for research shall not have local on/off or high/low control. 12. Under hood storage units shall comply with Chapter 6 of this Design Guide. 13. Ductless hoods are not permitted. Exceptions may be granted for single-process applications if approved by EH&S. 14. Design face velocities for a target sash height of 18 inches 15. For standard FHES, provide a face velocity of 100 fpm +/- 10%. 16. For low velocity FHES, provide a face velocity of 70 fpm +/- 10% 17. Design for noise levels of 65 dba or less measured per ANSI SI at a point three foot in front of the sash at a height of five feet from the floor. 18. Provide constant volume (CV) hoods with an air bypass that limits the maximum face velocity to 300 lfm at a sash height of 6 inches. 19. Provide variable air volume (VAV) hoods with an exhaust minimum of 25 cfm/ft2 of work surface area through air bypass. 20. Locate controls for hood utilities outside the hood 21. Hood lighting and other fixed electrical equipment within the hood shall be explosion proof. 22. Light fixture lamps shall be accessible from outside the hood. 23. For cup sinks, choose model with lip at least ¼ inch above the work surface. 24. Provide each fume hood with an audible and visible alarm that activate whenever the face velocity drops below 80 lfm for standard hoods and 56 fpm for low velocity hoods. 25. Equip water faucets with a vacuum breaker located outside the hood. 26. If this is not a University owned facility, see Appendix A for further design details of the FHES. If it is a University owned facility, refer to the Facilities Services Design Guide (FSDG). EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 15 of 74

16 D. Fume Hood Exhaust System Testing 1. Measure FHES face velocities per ASHRAE 110 part Provide information on instrumentation including calibration dates and results. 3. Measure the velocity of cross drafts. 4. Calibrate monitor, set and test low alarm, verify monitor is tracking correctly. 5. Once criteria above are met, provide test results to EH&S. 6. After review of test results, EH&S will test the hood to confirm adequate performance, label it appropriately, and approve for use. 7. If this is not a University owned facility, see Appendix A for testing details of the FHES ducts. If it is a University owned facility, refer to the FSDG. E. Local Exhaust Ventilation 1. Design local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems per ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Manual or other professionally recognized design criteria. F. Laboratory Design References 1. Determination of Laboratory Airflow Rates (PDF) 2. Combined General and Fume Hood Exhaust (PDF) 3. Laboratory Airflow Distribution (PDF) 4. Modeling for External Exhaust Systems (PDF) 5. Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics for Laboratory Airflows (PDF) 6. Ventilation Noise (PDF) EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 16 of 74

17 SECTION 4: EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SAFETY SHOWER EQUIPMENT Contents A. Scope B. Applications C. Equipment Requirements D. Testing and Commissioning E. References EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 17 of 74

18 A. Scope This guide presents the minimum performance requirements for emergency washing equipment. It covers the following types of equipment: emergency showers, eyewash equipment, and combination shower and eyewash or eye/face wash. Most of the requirements were taken directly from the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) with supporting information from American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z and a directive from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I); these references are provided at the end of this chapter. B. Applications 1. Emergency washing equipment (EWE) is required to provide an immediate and local method of decontamination following an exposure to exposure to a hazardous chemical. Emergency showers can also be used to effectively extinguish clothing fires and flush contaminants off clothing. 2. EWE is required in areas where the following types of chemicals are used: a. Corrosives, including acids and caustics, with a ph less than 2.5 or greater than 11. b. Strong irritants that cause inflammatory effects at point of contact. c. Toxic chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin and cause ill health effects. 3. EWE is also required in BSL-2 and BSL-3 biological laboratories per the CDC/NIH publication Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 5th edition. 4. EWE should also be installed where particulate is common that can injure the eyes. 5. Eyewash equipment is required wherever eyes may be exposed to the agents noted above. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses or face shields, though an important safeguard, does not substitute for the eyewash requirement. 6. Emergency showers are required if there is a potential for substantial portions of the body to come into contact with the types of chemicals noted above. UW EH&S interprets this to mean areas where the container size is greater than 1 gallon and chemical transfer, mixing, or spraying takes place. PPE such as aprons and gloves, though an important safeguard, does not substitute for the shower requirement. 7. Typical areas on the University campus where EWE is needed include the following: EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 18 of 74

19 a. Laboratories where chemicals or infectious biological agents are used. b. Areas where chemical transfer or mixing take place, including laboratory support spaces, shops, janitor s closets, the power plant, and mechanical rooms c. Areas with closed systems, particularly those under pressure, that can catastrophically fail and cause the chemicals to leak including the power plant, shops, and mechanical rooms. d. Waste accumulation areas. e. Areas where there is a potential for the eyes to be exposed to physical hazards such as chips or dust from sanding or grinding processes including shops and mechanical spaces. 8. Location requirements of EWE a. The travel time required from potential exposure sites to EWE must be within 10 seconds. UW EH&S uses a requirement of not more than 50 feet walking distance for design review purposes. b. The pathway from potential exposure sites to EWE must be free from obstructions. UW EH&S interprets this to be a clear path without physical obstacles; the need to pass through one door that does not require a key to pass through, swings in the direction of travel, and is equipped with a panic bar is acceptable. c. Locating showers in the hallway has the advantage of serving multiple labs as long as the requirements of 8b are met. d. If there is a potential for showers to be activated maliciously, locate them within the security of a laboratory room or, if located in the hallway, provide shower stall units complete with sloped floor or pan, plumbed drain and privacy curtain. e. Avoid installing telephones, thermostats, or power receptacles within six feet of the shower. If receptacles are necessary within six feet, they should be equipped with ground fault circuit interruption (GFCI). C. Equipment Requirements 1. A plumbed eyewash, shower, or combination unit, meeting the specifications of the most recent edition of ANSI Z shall be provided. Drench hoses may be useful in some applications but do not substitute for showers or eyewashes. A portable non-plumbed eyewash unit may be approved if the location does not have plumbing. 2. Eyewashes shall be equipped with a drain to facilitate use during an emergency and complying with the weekly testing requirement. 3. EWE should be connected to potable water. Verify through the choice of the unit that the water supply cannot be contaminated through back pressure. For purposes of this EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 19 of 74

20 chapter, the water source is considered to be potable water if it is served by the building domestic water or by a separate line connected directly to the city supply into the building. This is in contrast to lab water or industrial water that serves the laboratory sinks or utility equipment. 4. Showers and eyewash units must be plumbed with tempered water per Section of the 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code. Choose mixing valves specifically designed for EWE and set them to 90 F. Minimize the length of tempered water lines where reasonable to do so. 5. To encourage shower use and prevent flooding, EH&S strongly recommends selecting showers with stalls equipped with sloped floor or shower pan, plumbed drain, and privacy curtain; this is particularly critical in corridors or other public or common areas where malicious activation of the shower has caused significant flood damage. 6. Consider installing opaque modesty curtains for all safety showers to facilitate removal of contaminated clothing during the shower. 7. Swing-down or swing-over eyewashes that drain into a sink are preferred. Hose units are allowed but the pedestal location must be within 12 inches of the front edge of the bench or sink to facilitate hands-free use while the eyewash remains in the pedestal, AND contamination through back pressure must be prevented if connected to PW. 8. If the eyewash is mounted near a sink, detail the eyewash placement and connection to verify that it will drain into the sink. This is not an issue if specifying a faucet that has an integrated eyewash unit, but be aware that some of these units do not meet ANSI Z requirements and will not be approved; the Speakman SEF-1800 Eyesaver Faucet is one unit that does meet the ANSI requirements. 9. For BSL-3 applications, locate the eyewash in the BSL-3 laboratory. 10. Specify equipment that meets ANSI Z Specify performance requirements, including those in ANSI Z pertaining to flow rate etc., as necessary to ensure that the contractor understands the requirements for conditions they will be responsible to provide. D. Testing and Commissioning 1. The contractor to confirm units perform per ANSI A for conditions they are responsible to provide. Most manufacturers can provide a checklist of these requirements. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 20 of 74

21 2. Provide a report to the owner as a condition of substantial completion that documents all units have been tested and perform per ANSI A Provide a service label on all units for use by University Facilities when completing scheduled testing and service. E. References 1. WAC : Make sure emergency washing facilities are functional and readily accessible 2. ANSI Z : American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment 3. DOSH Directive 13.00: Emergency Washing Facilities, July 15, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) Division of Occupational Safety and Health. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 21 of 74

22 SECTION 5: COMPRESSED GAS & CRYOGENIC COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS Contents A. Scope B. Compressed Gas Cylinder in Laboratories C. Compressed Gas Storage Areas D. Compressed Gas Manifolds E. Compressed Gas Cylinder Restraint F. Requirements for Gas Cabinets storing Toxic and Highly Toxic Gases EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 22 of 74

23 A. Scope This Design Guide applies to all facilities, including leased properties. It covers all unfired pressure vessels (i.e., storage tanks, compressed-gas cylinders) that have been designed to operate at pressures above 15 psi, including the storage and use of compressed-gas cylinders and cryogenic fluids. This does not cover utilities (i.e., house air ). Most of the requirements were taken directly from the International Fire Code, as adopted by Seattle/Washington State, with supporting information from the National Fire Protection Association. B. Compressed Gas Cylinder in Laboratories 1. Cylinders in laboratories should generally be limited to those in use. Cylinders connected through a regulator or manifold to deliver gas to a laboratory operation, and a single cylinder located alongside, are consider to be in use. Other cylinders should be located in compressed gas storage areas. 2. Provisions should be made for segregation of cylinders of incompatible gases as outlined in the International Fire Code. 3. See requirements for highly toxic gases below in Section F. C. Compressed Gas Storage Areas 1. A compressed gas storage area(s) meeting the requirements of applicable codes and standards for fire separation, ventilation, restraint and separation of incompatibles should be provided in the building or an appropriate outdoor location to provide sufficient back up supply and empty cylinder storage for users. Separate space for full and empty cylinders is preferred. 2. Emergency power shall be provided for H occupancy gas storage rooms, gas-cabinet exhaust ventilation, gas-detection systems, emergency alarm systems, and temperature control systems. 3. Storage areas shall be secured against unauthorized entry. 4. Rooms with large volumes of cryogens shall be provided with effective ventilation to mitigate risk in the event of a spill or release. If not practical oxygen alarms should be provided if determined necessary through a risk assessment. The EH&S website has additional information on Liquid Nitrogen and Low Oxygen Alarms. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 23 of 74

24 D. Compressed Gas Manifolds 1. Where a laboratory operation is projected to use a significant amount of compressed gas and it is not feasible to provide through a fixed tank, a compressed gas storage area and manifold system should be provided at dedicated room such as a ventilated closet, separate from the laboratory and accessible from common space such as a hallway. Depending upon the material the room may need to be classified as an H occupancy. E. Compressed Gas Cylinder Restraint 1. Approved storage racks (e.g., Unistrut, pipe racks) shall be provided that adequately secure gas cylinders by chains, metal straps, or other approved materials, to prevent cylinders from falling or being knocked over. Chains are preferable to straps. Straps shall be non-combustible. 2. In laboratories, cylinder restraints shall be sufficient to prevent cylinders from tipping over using double chains/straps one-third and two-thirds the height of the cylinder. 3. Chain/strap restraints shall be used to restrain a maximum of three cylinders per chain/strap or per set of chains/straps (if double-chained/strapped). 4. Gas-cylinder securing systems should be anchored to a permanent building member or fixture. This connection is needed to prevent movement during a seismic event. F. Requirements for Gas Cabinets storing Toxic and Highly Toxic Gases 1. Storage and use of toxic and highly toxic compressed-gas cylinders shall be within exhaust-ventilated gas storage cabinets, laboratory fume hoods, exhausted enclosures, or separate ventilated gas storage rooms without other occupancy or use. It is acceptable to mount lecture bottles connected to a manifold in a fume hood. 2. Gas cabinets shall be connected to a dedicated or fume hood exhaust system. 3. Gas cabinets shall be approved and constructed to meet the requirements of the International Fire Code. 4. Gas cabinets should be fitted with an airflow monitor. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 24 of 74

25 SECTION 6: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE CABINETS Contents A. Scope B. Approvals and Listings C. Design D. Venting Hazardous Materials Storage Cabinets E. General Installation Requirements EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 25 of 74

26 A. Scope This section of the Design Guide applies to the design, construction, and installation of hazardous materials storage cabinets. Most of the requirements were taken directly from the International Fire Code, as adopted by Seattle/Washington State, with supporting information from the National Fire Protection Association. B. Approvals and Listings 1. Storage cabinets shall be UL listed for their intended use. C. Design 1. Laboratories that store, use or handle more than five gallons of flammable or combustible liquids shall have one or more flammable liquid storage cabinets so that the code provision for doubling the maximum allowable quantity may be applied. 2. Provide corrosive and other listed cabinets as necessary to allow for segregation of incompatibles. Information on incompatible materials may be found here. 3. Total hazardous material storage capacities in a control area must consider fire code maximum allowable quantities. D. Venting Hazardous Materials Storage Cabinets 1. Corrosive material storage cabinets, including those built into laboratory casework, should be vented. If built into laboratory casework, they should vent directly into the fume-hood plenum behind the baffle. 2. Flammable liquid cabinets shout not be vented as doing so may compromise the cabinet s fire-resistance performance during a fire. If a flammable liquid storage cabinet is ventilated, then it shall be connected through the lower bung opening to an exterior exhaust in such a manner that the specified performance or UL listing of the cabinet is not compromised. A flash arrester screen provided by the manufacturer with the cabinet shall replace the other bung. Exhaust vent materials for hazardous materials cabinets shall be compatible with cabinet contents. Vent materials for flammable liquid storage cabinets shall be resistant to high temperatures generated in a fire. Stainless steel, hard-soldered copper, and carbon-steel are all appropriate vent materials for flammable storage cabinets, provided the chosen material is compatible with the intended service. Non-metallic duct shall not be used to vent flammable storage cabinets. 3. Compatible non-metallic duct material, such as PVC, can be used for acid- or corrosivematerial storage cabinet service. Polypropylene is not appropriate vent duct material, since it is combustible. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 26 of 74

27 4. Flammable cabinets built into laboratory casework are not to be vented into the fumehood exhaust system. No acceptable method of doing this has been identified. 5. Class 1 flammable liquids stored in basements must be kept in vented flammable liquid cabinets. Please consult with EH&S to ensure conformance with this Administrative Rule. 6. If the cabinet is not vented, then it shall be sealed with the bungs supplied by the manufacturer. 7. Toxic material storage cabinets, when used to store highly toxic materials in excess of an exempt amount, shall be vented in a manner similar to flammable liquid storage cabinets. E. General Installation Requirements 1. Flammable liquid storage cabinets shall not be located near exit doorways, stairways, or in locations that would impede leaving the area. 2. Flammable liquid storage cabinets shall not be wall-mounted. Wall-mounted cabinets are not UL listed or FM approved. The mounting could breach the fire-resistant integrity of the cabinet. 3. Flammable and toxic/corrosive liquid storage cabinets shall be seismically anchored to prevent spillage of contents. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 27 of 74

28 SECTION 7: BIO-SAFETY LABORATORIES Contents A. Scope B. Basic Laboratory Design for Bio-Safety Level 1 C. Basic Laboratory Design for Bio-Safety Level 2 D. Basic Laboratory Design for Bio-Safety Level 3 E. Biological Safety Cabinets F. Bag In/Bag Out Unit Detail G. Bio Safety Cabinet Duct Connection Detail EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 28 of 74

29 A. Scope The majority of the criteria presented in this chapter are taken from Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), 5th Edition authored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The criteria presented in this chapter are for general-use Biosafety Containment Levels 1, 2, and 3 for biological research laboratories. If vertebrate animals are involved in research with biohazardous materials, requirements of animal biosafety laboratories (ABSL), also provided in the BMBL, will apply as well. Furthermore, this chapter does not include Appendix G and Q of the NIH Guidelines for Recombinant DNA research which apply if recombinant DNA research will be performed in the laboratory. B. Basic Laboratory Design for Bio-Safety Level 1 1. Each laboratory should have doors to control access. 2. Each laboratory must have a sink for hand washing. 3. The laboratories should be designed for easy cleaning. a. Carpets and rugs shall not be used. b. Spaces between furniture and equipment should be accessible for cleaning. c. Furniture must be covered with a non-porous material for easy cleaning. 4. Laboratory Furniture must be capable of supporting anticipated loads and uses. 5. Bench tops shall be impervious to water, and resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents and moderate heat. 6. Approved methods for decontamination of infectious or regulated laboratory wastes shall be available (e.g., autoclave, chemical disinfection or other decontamination procedure approved by the University Biosafety Officer (BSO) or designee). 7. Windows shall be fixed and not operable unless existing condition requires them to open for ventilation. If operable, they must be fitted with screens. C. Basic Laboratory Design for Bio-Safety Level 2 In addition to the requirements for a BSL 1 laboratory, the following are required: 1. Doors should be self-closing and have locks in accordance with institutional policies. 2. The sink for hand washing should be located near the exit door. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 29 of 74

30 3. Vacuum lines should be protected with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. The preferred location of the HEPA filter is in the lab so as to minimize contamination of vacuum lines. If managed by lab ensure system design supports this approach. 4. An eyewash station must be readily available. See Chapter 4 for design details. 5. An approved method for decontaminating all laboratory wastes should be available in the facility. Optimize location to minimize travel distance for users. D. Basic Laboratory Design for Bio-Safety Level 3 In addition to the requirements for a BSL 2 laboratory, the following are required. 1. The lab must be separated from areas that are open to unrestricted traffic flow within the building. 2. Doors must be self-closing and have locks in accordance with institutional policies. 3. Security systems shall be used to control access to the laboratory. 4. Access is restricted to entry by a series of two self-closing doors. The space between the two sets of doors can be used as an anteroom. 5. The sink for hand washing must be hands-free or automatically operated, and should be located near exit door. 6. Floors must be slip resistant, impervious to liquids, and resistant to chemicals. Consider the installation of seamless, sealed, resilient or poured floors, with integral cove base. 7. Walls should be constructed to produce a sealed smooth finish that can be easily cleaned and decontaminated. 8. Ceilings should be constructed, sealed, and finished in the same manner as walls. 9. All windows must be sealed. 10. Vacuum lines must be protected with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. The preferred location of the HEPA filter is in the lab so as to minimize contamination of vacuum lines. If managed by lab ensure system design supports this approach. 11. An eyewash station must be readily available in the laboratory. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 30 of 74

31 12. A fully ducted supply and exhaust air ventilation system is required. This system must provide sustained directional airflow from clean areas toward potentially contaminated areas. The system shall be designed so that under failure conditions, the airflow will not be reversed. In addition, the system must provide the following: a. Laboratory personnel must be able to verify direction of air flow by means of a visual monitoring device at the laboratory entry. Audible alarms should be considered to notify personnel of air flow disruption. b. Exhaust air must not re-circulate to any other areas of the building and the exhaust system should be dedicated to serve only the BSL-3. c. Exhaust air including that of the anteroom must be HEPA filtered through a BIBO. i. BIBO unit must be designed to facilitate decontamination with our inhouse unit. For a schematic drawing of port locations and details see Figure A at the end of this chapter. ii. Access to BIBO filter housings must be designed to allow scanning of the filters. If the BIBO unit is designed to have 2 banks of filters, side by side, access to both sides must be provided. A scanning rack should be included on larger models. 13. All Class II A2 BSCs shall have a thimble connection. 14. An approved method for decontaminating all laboratory wastes should be available in the facility, preferably within the laboratory. 15. Equipment that may produce infectious aerosols must be contained in devices that exhaust air through HEPA filtration before discharge into the laboratory. The HEPA filters should be tested and/or replaced annually. 16. Consider means of decontaminating large pieces of equipment before removal from the laboratory. 17. Enhanced design features may be required based upon specific research planned or funding conditions for the BSL3 in question. The enhancements may include one or more of the following; an anteroom for clean storage of equipment and supplies with dress-in, shower-out capabilities; gas tight dampers to facilitate laboratory isolation; laboratory effluent decontamination; advanced access control devices such as biometrics, fan redundancy, emergency power for HVAC, and specific room finishes. 18. The BSL-3 facility must be commissioned to include visual inspection and performance testing to verify that design and operational parameters have been met before research may begin. Facility performance must be re-verified and documented at least annually. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 31 of 74

32 E. Biological Safety Cabinets 1. See the Biological Safety Cabinets webpage for information concerning BSC selection, location, procurement and certification. 2. Locate the biological safety cabinets (BSC) away from doors, operable windows, hightraffic, ventilation diffusers and other possible airflow disruptions; use a guideline of six feet of separation. 3. Provide a minimum of six feet of clearance between BSCs installed directly opposite another. 4. Do NOT plumb the BSCs with natural gas. 5. Design Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC) to be installed as follows: a. Class II, Type A2 BSC may need to be connected to the general exhaust system via a thimble connection depending on chemical use. This determination is best made through discussions with EH&S early in the design process. If required, the thimble will be provided by the BSC manufacturer and installed per manufacturer s instructions and exhausted per Figure B at the end of this chapter. b. Class II Type B2 BSC shall be directly (hard) connected to a dedicated exhaust system. c. Class II Type B BSCs shall be interlocked with the exhaust fan so they shut down and alarm in the event of an exhaust fan/system failure. d. Class II Type B BSC exhaust shall be provided with a gas-tight valve that is accessible from the front or side of the cabinet; the purpose of this valve is to facilitate decontamination of the BSC. 6. Provide each Class II Type B BSC with a dedicated exhaust system unless an alternative design is demonstrated to provide the precise control necessary for cabinets to stay in tight tolerance limits. 7. Provide each Class II Type B BSC with a bypass system for exhausting the room when the BCS fan is turned off; turning the BSC fan off saves filter life and the bypass facilitates decontamination of the BSC. 8. Thimble connection exhaust airflow shall be % of the BSC manufacturer s exhaust specification. 9. Provide at least ten inches of clearance above a recirculating Class II A2 BSC; this is to facilitate decontamination of the exhaust HEPA filter. EH&S Laboratory Safety Design Guide Revised July Page 32 of 74