Lab Design Guide Checklist

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 projects 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.
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.
Page 1 of 9

Review Checklist
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.
ensure proper separation of service and public
access corridors.
All corridors shall meet the City of Chicago
Building Codes pertaining to means of egress.
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
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?

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
Page 2 of 9
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.
recommendations for bases, wall, and floor
protection to spills and splashes.

Review Checklist
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

recommendations for floor bases.
Required Actions
recommendations for lighting.
recommendations for lighting.
YES
NO
N/A
All lighting ballasts should be mounted

externally.
Required Actions
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.
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
recommendations for insect screens.
Required Actions
recommendations for flooring.

YES
NO
N/A
Required Actions
recommendations for laboratory furniture.
All furniture should be capable of supporting
the anticipated loading.
Page 3 of 9

Review Checklist

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.
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
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.
proper chemical separation in storage cabinets.
Will storage cabinets be designed

with partitions to separate
incompatible chemicals?
Refer to the Universitys Hazardous Materials

Management Plan for a guideline on chemical
storage separation.
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?
Page 4 of 9

Review Checklist
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 Universitys Chemical Fume Hood
Policy for more information.
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.
proper emergency back-up power for laboratory
fume hoods.
proper spill containment inside fume hoods.
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
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
Universitys Emergency Eyewashes and
Showers Policy for more information.
Page 5 of 9

Review Checklist

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.
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.
Will the water that is plumbed in the

emergency eyewash station be
tepid?
Water temperature shall be in the range of

27C to 35C (80F to 95F).
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
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
Universitys Emergency Eyewashes and
Showers Policy for more information.
Page 6 of 9

Review Checklist

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
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.
met.
If no or unsure, work with EHS to ensure all
met.
met.

have a minimum volume of 75.7
liters/minute (20 gallons/minute)?
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

27C to 35C (80F to 95F).
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
met.
The preferred solution to emergency
eyewashes and safety showers is a
combination eyewash and safety shower.
Page 7 of 9

Review Checklist
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
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 Universitys Fire Safety Policy for
more information.
are met.
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.
are met.
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.
are met.
Are all exit doors designed to swing

in the direction of exit travel?

are met.
Are provisions made for the proper

selection, location, and number of
portable fire extinguishers?

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.
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

Review Checklist
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
electrical installation requirements are met.
The City of Chicago requires that the National
Electrical Code be followed for all electrical
installations.
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

electrical installations and safety requirements
are met.
Quad outlet boxes are recommended over
duplex boxes.
electrical installation and safety requirements
are met.
are met.

electrical installation and safety requirements
are met.
Circuit breaker panels and similar equipment
shall be labeled with a notification of an
electrical rating.
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?
Page 9 of 9

Lab Design Guide Checklist

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Descrizione originale:

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Lab Design Guide Checklist

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Laboratory Planning and Design

Building Design Considerations for Laboratory Facilities

All City of Chicago Building Codes for fire

Have the requirements of NFPA 45

Have provisions been made to

It is highly recommended to maintain public

Laboratory Planning and Design

All corridors shall meet the City of Chicago

Have provisions been made for

Are provisions made for locking

If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help

Laboratory Planning and Design

If no or unsure, work with EH&S for

All lighting ballasts should be mounted

Does the sink have lips that protect

Does the sink have a cleanable and

If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure

Laboratory Planning and Design

If no or unsure, work with EH&S for

Is the furniture designed with basic

Laboratory Access and Security

All regulated items shall have means for

Are provisions made for locking

Fabric materials on furniture such as chairs

Will storage cabinets be designed

Refer to the Universitys Hazardous Materials

Will flammable liquid storage

Flammable liquid storage cabinets must be UL

Is laboratory shelving design as to

Laboratory Planning and Design

Has consideration been given to

Fume hoods should not be located adjacent to

Are there provisions to install drying

Drying ovens or drying cabinets shall not be

Laboratory Planning and Design

If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all

Will the emergency eyewash

The emergency eyewash station shall be

Are provisions in place to locate

All electrical items and appliances should be at

Will the emergency eyewash

The velocity shall not be too high as to cause

Are there provisions to install

Drench hoses may be used as a means to

Will the water that is plumbed in the

Water temperature shall be in the range of

Will floor drains be provided on all

Emergency Safety Showers

P or U traps to floor drains should be

Laboratory Planning and Design

If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all

Will the emergency safety shower

The emergency safety shower shall be

Are provisions in place to locate

All electrical items and appliances should be at

Will the emergency safety shower

Water temperature shall be in the range of

Will floor drains be provided for all

Combination Eyewashes and

P or U traps to floor drains should be

Laboratory Planning and Design

Will the main aisle ways used for

Will the minimum aisle clearance of