The chemical laboratory : its design and operation : a practical guide for planners of industrial, medical, or educational facilities

Contents INTRODUCTION 1 1. PRELIMINARY PLANNING 4 Listing Operations 5 Estimating Space Requirements 6 Work Bench Space 8 Free-Standing Equipment 9 Arguments for Additional Space 9 Educational Laboratory Requirements 9 Fume Hoods 10 Analytical Balances 10 Other Equipment 10 Planning for the Future 11 Storage Areas 11 Industrial, Medical, and Research Laboratories 11 Educational Laboratories 12 Reagent Storage 12 Glassware 12 Instruments 12 Preparation Space 13 Repair and Maintenance 13 Equipment Check-Out 13 Laboratory Location 13 Safety Considerations 14 Efficiency Needs 14 Environmental Considerations 15 vii viii Contents Vibration 15 Sunlight 15 Noise 16 Access to Utilities 16 Zoning Regulations 16 2. LABORATORY LAYOUT 17 Limitations 18 Making the Scale Drawing 18 Room Organization 19 Work Patterns 20 Work Bench Dimensions 20 Bench Configuration 21 Storage Cabinets and Shelves 22 Heat-Producing Equipment 22 Toxic and Flammable Materials 23 Analytical Balances 23 Sample Receiving 23 Office Space 23 Workers' Area 24 Supervisor's Area 24 Furniture Dimensions 24 Safety Shower 24 Completing the Layout 25 3. UTILITY REQUIREMENTS 27 Hot and Cold Water 27 Deionized Water 28 Distilled Water 29 Gas 30 Electric Power 30 Sewer Connection 31 Compressed Air and Vacuum 32 Ventilation 32 Heating and Cooling 35 4. LABORATORY SAFETY 36 Safety Awareness 36 Sources of Safety Information 38 Dealing with Authorities 39 Ventilation Systems 42 Flammable Materials 43 Contents ix Chemical Spills 44 Safety Shower and Eyewash Station 45 Chemical Storage 45 Fire Protection 47 Earthquake Preparedness 48 Mechanical Hazards 48 Equipment 49 Doors 49 Utility Failures 50 Electricity 50 Water Pressure 50 Gas 50 How to Handle Utility Failures 51 Personal Protection 51 Safety Glasses 51 Lab Coats 52 Foot Protection 52 Food and Drink 53 Smoking 53 Hair Protection 53 Safety Signs 54 Conclusion 54 5. POLLUTION CONTROL AND WASTE DISPOSAL 55 Waste Control Regulations 55 Air Pollution 56 Liquid Waste 57 Solid Waste 58 Waste Collection and Disposal 58 Disposal Containers 58 Waste Storage 59 Waste Disposal Services 59 In-House Waste Reduction 60 Disposal of Old Chemicals 61 Different Laboratories, Different Problems 62 The illusion of Dilution 62 6. FLOORS, WALLS, AND CEILINGS 64 Flooring Materials 64 Vinyl 65 Concrete 66 Rubber Composition 66 x Contents Other Materials 66 Wall Treatment 67 Paint Quality 67 High Resistance Paints 68 Ceiling Treatment 69 Lighting 70 Interior Decoration for the Laboratory 71 Color Choices 71 7. WORK BENCHES AND FUME HOODS 73 Suppliers 73 Cabinet Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Wood versus Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Assessing Quality 75 Kitchen Cabinets 76 Work Bench Components 77 Work Top Materials 78 Stone Tops 78 Cement Composition 78 Solid Epoxy 79 Plastic Laminate 79 Compressed Wood Fiber 79 Ceramic Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Ceramic Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Stainless Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Choice Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Work Top Protection 82 Fume Hoods 82 Hood Construction 83 Installation 83 Building a Simple Hood 84 Ductless Hoods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Modular Furniture 85 8. UTILITY OUTLETS 86 Mounting Outlets 86 Hot and Cold Water 87 Deionized Water 88 Sinks and Drains 89 Gas 91 Compressed Air 91 Electrical Outlets 92 Contents xi Compressed Gases 93 Conclusion 94 9. FINAL PLANS AND CONSTRUCTION 95 Checking Final Plans 96 Construction 97 Misunderstandings 97 Expecting the Unexpected 98 Safeguarding Equipment Information 99 10. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 100 Equipment Sources 100 Laboratory Supply Houses 100 Factory Direct 100 Mail Order Companies 101 Science Shops 101 Hardware and Electronic Stores 101 Drugstores and Sup~rmarkets 101 Where to Obtain Information on Suppliers 101 Selecting Equipment 102 Selecting Supplies 103 Cost Estimates 103 Ordering 104 Receiving Equipment and Supplies 105 Capital Equipment 106 Equipment Identification 107 11. THE LABORATORY IN OPERATION 108 Staffing the Laboratory 108 Application Forms 109 Resume or Letter 110 The Interview 110 Final Selection 111 Notifying Applicants 111 Job Responsibilities 111 On the Job Training 112 Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 Ordering Supplies 112 Supply Sources 113 Dead Files and Old Samples 114 Laboratory Housekeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Setting the Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115 xii Contents Janitorial Services 115 Cleaning Materials 116 Keeping Track of Cost 116 Laboratory Ethics 118 12. LABORATORY RECORDS 120 Laboratory Notebooks 120 Methods of Record Keeping 121 Research and Development 121 Analytical Laboratories 122 Sample Recording 123 Records of Tests 123 Industrial Laboratories 123 Quality Control Records 124 Product Sample Records 124 Poor Record Keeping 124 Purchasing Records 125 Personnel Records 125 Maintenance Records 125 Records of Procedures 126 Paperwork Reduction 126 Computerized Records 128 Conclusion 129 13. THE LABORATORY HANDYMAN 130 Limitations 130 Value of Laboratory Handyman 131 Related Experience 131 Sources of Information 132 Tools for the Laboratory 132 Sources of Tools 132 Tool Storage 133 Special Purpose Tools 133 Tool Rental 133 Routine Maintenance 134 Faucets 134 Sink Traps \.134 Wires 134 Electric Plugs 135 Light Bulbs 135 Equipment Maintenance 135 Major Projects 135 Contents xiii Examples of Laboratory Handiwork 136 Equipment Rack 136 pH Meter Stand 136 Incubator 136 Some Negative Examples 137 Careless Workmanship 137 Dangling Cords 137 Poor Quality Materials 137 Salvaging Fire-Damaged Equipment 138 Repair Methods 138 Drying Oven 138 A Learning Experience 139 14. A CASE HISTORY 140 Selecting the Location 140 Preliminary Planning 141 Detailed Room Layout 142 Utility Requirements 144 Ventilation 145 Lighting 146 Laboratory Benches and Work Tops 146 Sinks, Faucets, and DI Water 147 Flooring, Paint, and Ceiling Treatment 149 Furniture Installation 150 Equipment and Supplies 150 Safety Considerations 152 Conclusion 153 INDEX 154