Guia de Diseño de Segurida de Laboratorio

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
LABORATORY SAFETY DESIGN GUIDE
February 17, 2006

2 Laboratory Safety Design Guide
February 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES .................................................... 6

A. Scope........................................................................................................................ 6
B. Building Design Issues ............................................................................................. 6
C. Laboratory Design Considerations............................................................................ 7
D. Building Requirements.............................................................................................. 8
E. Hazardous Materials Design Issues ......................................................................... 9
F. Entries, Exits, and Aisle Width ................................................................................ 10
G. Electrical and Utility Issues ..................................................................................... 11
H. Accessibility ............................................................................................................ 12
I. Non-Structural Seismic hazard Abatement............................................................. 12
J. Teaching Laboratories ............................................................................................ 13
II. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS........................................................................... 14
A. Scope...................................................................................................................... 14
B. General Environmental Design Criteria .................................................................. 14
III. LABORATORY VENTILATION...................................................................................... 17
A. Scope...................................................................................................................... 17
B. General Laboratory Ventilation Design Issues........................................................ 17
C. Fume Hood Exhaust System Design Criteria ......................................................... 19
D. Fume Hood Exhaust System Testing ..................................................................... 22
IV. EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SAFETY SHOWER EQUIPMENT .............................. 23
A. Scope...................................................................................................................... 23
B. Applications ............................................................................................................ 23
C. Equipment Requirements ....................................................................................... 25
D. General Location .................................................................................................... 26
E. Pre-commissioning Testing..................................................................................... 26
F. Approved Equipment .............................................................................................. 26
V. PRESSURE VESSEL COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS, AND COMPRESSED-GAS
CYLINDERS ......................................................................................................................... 28
A. Scope...................................................................................................................... 28
B. Compressed-gas Cylinder Storage......................................................................... 28
C. Compressed-gas Cylinder Restraint ....................................................................... 29
D. Requirements for Gas Cabinets.............................................................................. 30
E. Design of Pressure Vessels and Systems .............................................................. 30
VI. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE CABINETS ..................................................... 32
A. Scope...................................................................................................................... 32
B. Approvals and Listings............................................................................................ 32
C. Design..................................................................................................................... 32
D. Venting Hazardous Material Storage Cabinets....................................................... 33
E. General Installation Requirements.......................................................................... 34
Laboratory Safety Design Guide 3
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VII. BIOSAFETY LABORATORIES ...................................................................................... 35

A. Scope...................................................................................................................... 35
B. Basic Laboratory Design for Biosafety Level 1 ....................................................... 35
C. Basic Laboratory Design for Biosafety Level 2 ....................................................... 36
D. Basic Laboratory Design for Biosafety Level 3 ....................................................... 37
E. Biological Safety Cabinets and Other Containment Considerations ....................... 43
VIII. FIRE SAFETY................................................................................................................ 46
A. Scope...................................................................................................................... 46
B. Fire Extinguishers ................................................................................................... 46
C. Building Fire Service/Utilities .................................................................................. 47
D. Fire Sprinklers/Standpipes...................................................................................... 47
E. Fire Alarm Systems................................................................................................. 48
F. Fire/Smoke Dampers .............................................................................................. 50
G. Environmental Control Systems/Smoke Control..................................................... 51
IX. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL LABORATORIES 52
A. Scope...................................................................................................................... 52
B. Basic Laboratory Design......................................................................................... 52
C. Ventilation Considerations ...................................................................................... 53
D. Radioactive Material Waste Management .............................................................. 53
X. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES WITH IRRADIATORS AND/OR
RADIATION-PRODUCING MACHINES............................................................................... 55
A. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 55
B. General Requirements/Considerations:.................................................................. 55
C. Basis for Shielding Specifications ........................................................................... 56
D. Special Considerations ........................................................................................... 57
E. Pre-use Considerations .......................................................................................... 60
F. Facilities/Sources With Special Considerations...................................................... 60
G. Considerations For Facilities/Sources Used For the Healing Arts .......................... 61
XI. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES USING NON-IONIZING
RADIATION SOURCES, INCLUDING LASERS.................................................................. 63
A. Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) Safety Basic Requirements...................................... 63
B. Controlling Access to Laser Areas.......................................................................... 63
C. Beam Path Management ........................................................................................ 64
D. Fire Safety for Lasers.............................................................................................. 64
E. Electrical Safety for Lasers ..................................................................................... 65
F. Class 4 Laser Laboratories ..................................................................................... 65
G. Optical Bench Safety .............................................................................................. 65
H. Excimer Lasers ....................................................................................................... 66
I. Laser-Generated Air Contaminants (LGAC) ........................................................... 66
J. Radio Frequency and Microwave Devices (30 kHz to 300 GHz) ............................ 67
K. Sub-radiofrequency Fields (<30 kHZ) ..................................................................... 67
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L. Static (Zero Hz) Magnetic Fields............................................................................. 68

M. Ultraviolet Radiation................................................................................................ 69
XII. APPENDIX A: ................................................................................................................. 70
Additional Fume Hood Exhaust Criteria for Facilities Not Owned By the University of
Washington. ........................................................................................................................ 70
N. Fume Hood Exhaust System (FHES) ..................................................................... 70
O. Fume Hood Exhaust System Testing ..................................................................... 72
XIII. APPENDIX B: DEFINITIONS ....................................................................................... 74
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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, faculty, and staff,
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 Facility Design
Information Guide maintained by Campus Engineering and Operations.
This Design Guide covers neither all regulatory issues nor all design situations. In all cases,
EH&S should be consulted on questions regarding health, safety, and the environment.
Design Guide Layout: Each specification is broken into two or three parts. The first part if
the specification; the second is the specification source if it exists. The third portion is
explanatory text. Definitions are found in Appendix A.
Acknowledgement: This Laboratory Design Guide was adapted to the University of Washington from a 2003 Laboratory
Design Guide produced by the University of California Industrial Hygiene Program Management Group.
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I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES
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. However, no matter
how well designed a laboratory is, improper usage of its facilities will always defeat the
engineered safety features. Proper education of the facility users is essential.
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, it is important to segregate laboratory and non-laboratory
activities. In an academic setting, the potential for students to need access to
laboratory personnel, such as instructors and assistants, is great. A greater degree of
safety will result when non-laboratory work and interaction is conducted in a space
separated from the laboratory.
1. Noncombustible construction is preferred.

Good Practice
SBC/WSBC (IBC) Chapter 6
2. Offices should be separated from laboratories.

Good Practice
3. An automatically triggered main gas shutoff valve for the building shall be
provided for use in a seismic event. In addition, interior manual shutoff valves
shall be provided for both research and teaching areas.
Good Practice
4. Large sections of glass shall be tempered or laminated. Shatter resistant

glass shall be used based on specific need.
Good Practice
In the event of severe earthquake, as the glass in cabinets and windows breaks, the large shards need to be minimized to
prevent injury. Shatter resistant glass shall be considered where impact resistance is needed or as a security measure.
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5. Outside air intakes must be at least twelve feet above grade level.
This is the minimum recommended height from NIOSH in DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-139, “Guidance for
Protecting Building Environments from Airborne Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Attacks”, published May 2002.
6. The location of outside air intakes and all sources of emissions from the new
facility must be evaluated by a consultant with experience in modeling to
determine the best location of these components relative to themselves and
to similar components of nearby existing facilities.
C. Laboratory Design Considerations
1. The laboratory shall be completely separated from outside areas (i.e., shall be
bound by four walls and a roof or ceiling).
2. Design of the laboratory and adjacent support spaces shall incorporate

adequate additional facilities for the purpose of storage and/or consumption
of food, drinks.
Good Practice
UW Laboratory Safety Manual, Section 2.A.4
3. Mechanical climate control should be provided as needed.

Good Practice
The laboratory shall be within normally acceptable thermal ranges prior to permanent occupancy. Electrical appliances
often exhaust heat into a room (e.g., freezer, incubator, autoclave). Failure to take this effect into consideration may result in
an uncomfortably warm working environment.
See Chapter 3 of this Guide for laboratory ventilation design issues.
4. When office and laboratory spaces are connected, design pressure

differentials across closed doors between the spaces to prevent lab
emissions from entering office spaces.
Good Practice
5. Design laboratory workstations to accommodate the needs of the work and 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.
Good Practice
6. Each laboratory where hazardous materials, whether chemical, biological, or

radioactive, are used, shall contain a sink for hand washing.
UW Laboratory Safety Manual, Section 2.A.3
7. All work surfaces (e.g., bench tops, counters, etc.) shall be impervious to the
chemicals and materials used in the laboratory.
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Good Practice
Many laboratory operations involve concurrent use of such chemical solvents such as formaldehyde, phenol, and ethanol, as
well as corrosives. The laboratory bench shall be resistant to the chemical actions of chemicals and disinfectants. Wooden
bench tops are not appropriate because an unfinished wood surface can absorb liquids. Also, wood burns rapidly in the
event of a fire. “Fiberglass” (glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin) is inappropriate because it can degrade when strong
disinfectants are applied, and it also releases toxic smoke when burned.
8. 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 electrical, plumbing, and other considerations shall be
completely and permanently sealed. If the bench top abuts a wall, it shall be
covered or have a backsplash against the wall.
Good Practice
Since portions of bench tops cannot be easily removed and replaced, the primary consideration shall be to prevent
chemicals, radioactive materials and/or potentially infectious material from seeping into cracks. Of great importance is the
absence of laminated edges, which can develop a crack between the top and the edge. Wood and wood-finish walls or floors
are not appropriate because they can absorb chemicals, radioactive materials and/or potentially infectious material,
particularly liquids, making decontamination virtually impossible. Surfaces should be as free as possible of cracks crevices,
seams, and rough surfaces to avoid surface contamination traps. Tiles and wooden planks are not appropriate because
liquids can seep through the small gaps between them. Seamless penetration-resistant construction is particularly important
for radioactive materials, highly toxic substances such as cyanides or mercury, carcinogens, explosive or flammable
substances, and materials which could become hazardous with the passage of time such as picric acid, nitrated organics and
peroxidizable substances.
9. Laboratory flooring in chemical use areas and other high hazard areas (such
as biological containment facilities) shall be chemically resistant and
preferably one-piece construction with covings to the wall.
Good Practice
A continuous floor reduces the potential for liquid absorption. Covings are recommended to facilitate clean up. Surfaces
should be as free of cracks, crevices, seams, and rough surfaces as possible to avoid surface contamination traps.
10. The walls shall be non-porous and painted with a durable, impervious finish in
such a manner to facilitate decontamination and cleaning. High gloss paint is
recommended.
Good Practice
11. Vented cabinets with electrical receptacles and sound insulation should be
provided for the placement of individual vacuum pumps, where their use is
anticipated. A one- to two-inch hole for the vacuum line hose from the cabinet
to the bench top should be provided as well as connection to an exhaust
system
Good Practice
12. Provide shelves with clear plastic lips for seismic restraint. Lips should be ¾
inch above the shelf surface for bookshelves and 1.5 inches above the shelf
surface for shelves used to store breakable containers, chemicals, or other
hazardous materials.
D. Building Requirements
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1. Designer Qualifications — The designer shall have the appropriate

professional license in his/her area of expertise and have prior experience
designing laboratories similar in scope to UW projects that he/she is being
hired to design.
Good Practice
2. 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. Early in building design, the
Architectural/Engineering (A/E) design team will need to assign occupancy
classification and control areas for specific areas of the building to ensure
conformance with building and fire codes.
1997 SBC Chapter 3 & 1997 SFC Article 80, Section 8001.10.2 (Sections applicable for existing UW
facilities. Consult with EH&S if project is located within an existing building.)
2003 SBC/WSBC (IBC) Chapter 3 & 2003 SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 27 and associated chemical
specific chapters of the fire code.
3. Environmental Permits — The UW is the lead agency for compliance with the
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Project managers shall consult with
the Environmental Planner for Capital Projects to identify environmental and
permit requirements for the building. This should be done well before key
resource allocation decisions are made.
Permit Process: Project Manager’s Reference Document for Environmental Stewardship (UW
Document)
E. Hazardous Materials Design Issues
1. Facilities shall be designed so that use of a respirator is not required for

normal operations.
Good Practice
2. A pressure-differential system should be used to control the flow of airborne

contamination. The flow should always be from clean areas to contaminated
areas, but it shall be recognized that similar areas may not always require the
same ventilation characteristics.
Good Practice
3. 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.
Chemical waste may be stored on site over a considerable length of time until a sufficient quantity warrants off site disposal.
4. Sufficient space or facilities (e.g., storage cabinets with partitions, secondary

containment trays etc.) should be provided such that incompatible chemicals
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and compressed gasses can be physically separated. When designing

shelves and shelf spacing, it is important to include enough space (height and
depth) for secondary containers.
NFPA 45, 7.2.1 and 7-2.3
Materials that in combination with other substances may cause a fire or explosion, or may liberate a flammable or poisonous
gas, shall be kept separate.
5. An area for a spill kit must be provided within the laboratory or at a

centralized area with a laboratory suite. Information on spill kits and
procedures may be found at www.ehs.washington.edu
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory
Laboratory employees are responsible for minor spills of the chemicals they commonly use. Major spills typically result in
a call to the local fire department’s Hazmat unit and are subsequently referred to an outside contractor. Equipment and
supplies for large spills may be necessary on a case-by-case basis but is not common.
6. 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.
7. See Chapters 5 and 6 of the Guide for additional requirements for

compressed gas storage and hazardous materials cabinets.
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 36-inch- or
42-inch-wide door should be provided which opens in the direction of egress.
(See the exception for BSL3 laboratories in Section 7 of this Guide). The exit
access doorway(s) from the laboratory shall have a minimum clear width of
32 inches when the door is open 90 degrees.
Good Practice
A main design factor for sizing laboratory doors will be equipment size within the laboratory. Door width shall be based on
the largest design factor whether that is code or equipment driven.
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.
Good Practice
Laboratory benches shall not impede emergency access to an exit. This is also applicable to placement of other fixed
furniture and appliances such as, refrigerators, etc.
3. The space between adjacent workstations and laboratory benches should be

five feet or greater to provide ease of access. In a teaching laboratory, the
desired spacing is six feet. Bench spacing shall be considered and included
in specifications and plans.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
NFPA 45, Chapters 2 and 3.
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4. Spaces between benches, cabinets, and equipment shall be accessible for

cleaning and servicing of equipment.
Good Practice
Laboratory furniture should have smooth, nonporous surfaces to resist absorption, and shall not be positioned in a manner
that makes it difficult to clean spilled liquids or to conduct routine maintenance. For example, positioning a Class II
biosafety cabinet in a limited concave space might not allow the biosafety cabinet certifier to remove the panels of the
cabinet when inspecting the unit for re-certification.
5. Laboratory doors that separate laboratory areas from non-laboratory areas

are to be automatically self-closing and may not be held open with
electromagnetic devices connected to the fire alarm.
Good Practice
This will defeat secondary containment provided by the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.
6. Door swings should consider room pressure gradients to facilitate door

closure operation (i.e., doors should swing into positive pressure areas and
out at negative pressure areas). Doors at pressurized stairs should have a
vestibule at the exit level to assist door closure operation.
Good Practice
This helps ensure secondary containment provided by the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.
7. Corridor width should be five to seven feet.

Good Practice
This width is generally optimal for moving equipment and preventing unwanted storage in the corridor.
G. Electrical and Utility Issues
1. The laboratory shall be fitted with electrical circuits and receptacles that can
accommodate existing requirements plus an additional 30% to 40% capacity.
Good Practice
The laboratory may have several pieces of equipment that require large amounts of electrical current. Such items include
freezers, biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, and incubators. Permanent use of extension cords is not allowed by the fire code.
2. Electrical receptacles above counter tops within six feet of sinks, safety
showers, or other sources of water, should have GFCI circuit protection
unless there is a physical separation between the receptacle and the sink.
NFPA Handbook 70, Chapter 2, 210-8
3. 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.
Good Practice
SBC/WSBC (IBC) Section 1006.1
Pathway lighting in laboratories reduces the potential of personnel coming in contact with equipment and hazardous
materials while evacuating the laboratory.
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4. Emergency shutoff valves for natural gas lines shall be located outside the
lab behind an access panel (similar to a medical gas system). If the corridor
is accessible to the public, valves should be secured behind a break-glass
access panel, or equal. Provide at least one valve per floor. Consideration
should be given to locating valves at a height that allows easy access and
operation.
Plumbing Code Local Interpretation and Requirement – in lieu of approved and accessible “service”
valves
Good Practice
In the event of an emergency, the laboratory may be unsafe to enter. Hence, valves for should be located outside the
laboratory. The local plumbing code authority has required these valves in research buildings where equipment and bench-
top valves are either not AGA approved or inaccessible. See also “Non-structural Seismic Hazard Abatement”.
5. Flexible connections shall be used for connecting gas and other plumbed
utilities to any freestanding device (Group II devices), including but not limited
to biosafety cabinets, incubators, and liquid nitrogen freezers.
Good Practice
Seismic activity may cause gas and other utility connections to break as equipment moves. Leaking natural gas is a fire
hazard, and flexible connections minimize this potential hazard. See also “Non-structural Seismic Hazard Abatement”.
Group I equipment is considered fixed to the building structure and no subject to seismic movement. Group II equipment is
considered equipment subject to seismic movement and is typically freestanding or movable.
H. Accessibility
Teaching and other public laboratory design should include adapted workbenches as
necessary. It is preferable to have some adjustable workbenches to allow for the large
variation in body size among individuals. Adjustable workbenches should include the
following:
1. A work surface that can be adjusted to be from twenty-seven to thirty-seven

inches from the floor; a twenty-nine-inch clearance beneath the top to a
depth of at least twenty inches; a minimum width of thirty-six inches to allow
for leg space for the seated individual, and Utility and equipment controls
placed within easy reach.
ADA, Title III Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities Sec. 303 New
Construction and Alterations in Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities
I. Non-Structural Seismic Hazard Abatement
1. All shelves shall have passive restraining systems. Shelf lips must be at least
one and one-half inch high. For shelves that only store books, a rubber type
sheet that you put under the books, designed specifically for this purpose,
can be used in lieu of lips. The shelves themselves shall be firmly fixed so
they cannot vibrate out of place and allow the shelf contents to fall.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory 4.E.1 and 4.E.2
Installation of seismic lips on shelving areas will prevent stored items from falling during a seismic event.
2. Any equipment shall be permanently braced or anchored to the wall and/or
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floor. This includes, but is not limited to, appliances and shelving (to be
installed by the contractor) which is forty-two inches or higher and has the
potential for blocking corridors or doors, or falling over during an earthquake.
All equipment requiring anchoring, whether installed by a contractor or the
UW, shall be anchored, supported and braced to the building structure.
Good Practice
This practice keeps such items from falling in the event of earthquakes and assures that safety while exiting is not
compromised.
3. All compressed-gas cylinders in service or in storage shall be secured to
substantial racks or, even more appropriate, sufficiently sturdy storage
brackets. They shall be secured with two chains, straps or equivalent, at
one-third and two-thirds the height of the cylinders to prevent their being
dislodged during a violent earthquake. NOTE: Clamping devices are not
acceptable as cylinder restraints.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory 4.E.4
See also Chapter 5 for other compressed gas design concerns.
J. Teaching Laboratories
Laboratory course instructors are faced with the task of introducing large numbers of
inexperienced people to the practice of handling hazardous materials. Often, the
student’s immediate supervisor is a graduate student Teaching Assistant (TA). The
teaching ability, experience, and communication skill of TA’s vary widely. Therefore, it
is very important to provide a quiet facility with clear lines of sight, more than sufficient
room to move about, and chemical storage devices which are both safe and obvious.
1. Adequate laboratory fume hoods shall be provided. A facility designed for

intensive chemistry use should have at least 2.5 linear feet of hood space per
student. Less intensive application should have hood space adequate for the
anticipated number of students. Hoods shall meet the specifications of
applicable portions of Chapter 3 of this Guide.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory 8.C.4
2. Noise levels at laboratory benches shall be designed not to exceed 55 dBA to

allow students to see and hear the instructor from each workstation.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory
Good Practice
Students shall be able to follow the safety, health, and emergency information during the laboratory class period. It is very
important to minimize the background noise, principally from air handling.
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II. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
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). Environmentally-related issues addressed in this section
include asbestos-containing materials (ACM’s), lead-containing materials, air pollution,
laboratory decommissioning, waste management, ozone-depleting substances, PCB-
containing materials, radiation sources, site contamination, storm water management,
and underground storage tanks.
EH&S maintains the "Project Manager's Reference Document for Environmental
Stewardship" (PMRDES) that outlines more specific criteria than are provided herein.
It is available online at the EH&S web site for review at www.ehs.washington.edu.
The PMRDES is subject to revision in response to changes in environmental
regulations, and EH&S policy and procedures. 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. 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 PMRDES should be consulted for
these and other asbestos-related requirements and guidance.
a) 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 Asbestos
Operations and Maintenance web page at
http://www.washington.edu/admin/asbestos/ehsrestricted.html
b) Historical asbestos survey reports have been compiled on some

University buildings. These survey reports are available for review via
the Facilities Services Records Department.
2. Depending on work practices, lead-containing materials have the potential to

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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. To address these issues, the PMRDES should be consulted.
3. 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. The PMRDES and the UW Air Operating Permit (AOP)
should be consulted for specific air pollution requirements. A copy of the
AOP (Permit No. 21320 Issued 11/27/01) is available via UW Facilities
Services or EH&S. The AOP is also available at the Puget Sound Clean Air
Agency web site at http://www.pscleanair.org/news/w.)
4. 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. The PRMDES should
be consulted for specific laboratory decommissioning requirements to be
implemented when vacating a laboratory.
5. 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 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.
6. The production, use, and handling of ozone-depleting substances (e.g., CFC-

refrigerants 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 less tendency to deplete atmospheric ozone. In
addition, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations prohibit
individuals from knowingly venting ozone-depleting compounds used as
refrigerants into the atmosphere while maintaining, servicing, repairing, or
disposing of refrigeration equipment. The PRMDES should be consulted for
specific requirements and guidance related to ozone-depleting substances.
7. 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
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Programs Office will determine proper waste disposal procedures on behalf

of the UW and arrange for disposal through the appropriate agencies. The
PRMDES should be consulted for PCB-related requirements.
8. 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. The PRMDES should be consulted for specific
requirements and guidance associated with radiation sources.
9. 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 PRMDES
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 1999. These documents, available via UW EH&S,
should also be consulted prior to project design.
10. Storm water management: Storm water runoff generated by

construction/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. The PRMDES
should be consulted for specific storm water management requirements.
11. Underground storage tanks: Underground storage tank systems can threaten
the environment and pose a long-term liability for the UW. The PRMDES
should be consulted for applicable management requirements.
12. Other environmental issues: Additional environmental issues will be

incorporated into the PMRDES as they are identified.
April 2005
III. LABORATORY VENTILATION
A. Scope
The purpose of this standard is to set forth the requirements for new or retrofit
laboratory and fume-hood ventilation. This standard is to be considered the minimum
requirement; more stringent requirements may be necessary depending on the specific
laboratory function or contaminants generated.
B. General Laboratory Ventilation Design Issues
The primary function of a ventilation system is to provide a comfortable and safe

breathing environment for all employees and the public. Careful planning, design, and
maintenance of ventilation systems is critical for accomplishing these goals. EH&S
shall approve any additional ventilation controls (e.g., local exhaust ventilation) needed
to control hazardous chemical exposures. EH&S, (and Engineering Services for UW
owned and operated facilities), shall agree with the design of the ventilation system.
Any management approach that eliminates the process of mutual agreement risks
mistakes that may be costly to live with and correct later.
1. All laboratory spaces shall have mechanically generated supply air and
exhaust air. All laboratory rooms shall use 100% outside air and exhaust to
the outside. There shall be no return of fume-hood or laboratory exhaust
back into the building.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory 8.C, 8.D
2. There shall be ten air changes per hour of ventilation for laboratories. Room
light switches shall not be used to control either hood exhaust flow rates or
room air exchange rates. Additional exhaust/local ventilation may be needed
contingent upon EH&S review.
3. Fume hoods should not be the sole means of room air exhaust. General
room exhaust shall be provided where necessary to maintain minimum air
change rates, good air mixing, and temperature control.
Good Practice
A minimum of 2.5 linear feet of hood should be provided for each worker for biochemical research. This should be adjusted
up or down depending on the type of research being conducted.
4. The system shall have at least 10% excess capacity for future expansion.
5. The noise level in the general laboratory space should not exceed 55 dBA,
consistent with good office design. This allows for easy verbal
communication.
Good Practice
February 2006
6. Operable windows are prohibited in laboratories of new buildings and should

be avoided on modifications to existing buildings.
Good Practice
7. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems (e.g., “snorkels” or “canopy hood”),

other than fume hoods, shall be designed to adequately control exposures to
hazardous chemicals. This system is to be separate from the fume hood and
general exhaust systems. The LEV system must be designed per the ACGIH
Industrial Ventilation Manual or other professionally recognized design
criteria.
ACGIH, Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of recommended Practice, latest edition.
Enclosure minimizes the volume of airflow needed to attain any desired degree of contaminant control. This reduces fan
size, motor horsepower, makeup air volume, and makeup air-conditioning costs.
8. Airflow shall be from low hazard to high hazard areas.

Good Practice
Anterooms may be necessary for certain applications, such as clean rooms or tissue culture rooms. Potentially harmful
aerosols can escape from the containment of the laboratory room unless the room air pressure is negative to adjacent non-
laboratory areas.
9. The laboratory control system shall ensure laboratory pressurization is

maintained negative to adjacent non-lab areas by continuously comparing
supply airflow and exhaust airflow. Provide an offset of 10% or 100 cfm –
whichever is greater.
Prudent Practices 8.D
See item B.1 of this section about air change rates.
10. An adequate supply of makeup air (90% of the exhaust) shall be provided to
the laboratory.
11. An air lock or vestibule may be necessary in certain high-hazard laboratories

to minimize the volume of supply air required for negative pressurization
control. These doors shall be provided with interlocks so that both doors
cannot open at the same time.
12. A corridor shall not be used as a plenum.
13. Cabinetry or other structures or equipment shall not block or reduce the
effectiveness of supply or exhaust air.
Good Practice
14. Supply system air shall meet the technical requirements of the laboratory
work and the requirements of the latest version of the Washington State
Indoor Air Quality Code.
April 2005
State Law
15. No laboratory ventilation system ductwork shall be internally insulated.

Exceptions will be determined by EH&S and Engineering Services.
Occupational Exposure, Toxic Properties, and Work Practices Guidelines for Fiberglass, AIHA
Good Practice
Fiberglass duct liners deteriorate with aging and shed into the space resulting in IAQ complaints, adverse health affects,
maintenance problems and significant economical impact. The National Toxicology Program now rates glass wool and
refractory ceramic fibers as possible carcinogens.
16. Cold rooms that are designed for occupancy of any duration must be
ventilated; this is not required if they are for storage only and there is no
chance of a hazardous atmosphere being created. Air supplied to the cold
room must be dehumidified first to prevent condensation and resulting
potential for biological growth. In some circumstances, low O2 / high CO2 /
high contaminant concentration alarms have been considered in lieu of room
ventilation.
17. Specialty rooms, designed for human occupancy shall have latches that can
be operated from the inside to allow for escape.
18. Latches and frames shall be designed to allow actuation under all design
conditions, such as freezing. Magnetic latches are recommended.
19. Doors of walk-in specialty rooms shall have viewing windows and external
light switches.
C. Fume Hood Exhaust System Design Criteria
1. If this is not a University owned facility, see the Appendix A at the end of this
section for further design details of the FHES.
2. This section applies to the installation of fume hood exhaust systems (FHES).
A fume hood is defined as a ventilated enclosed workspace intended to
contain and exhaust fumes, vapors, or particulate, for the purpose of
protecting occupants.
3. Design FHES to incorporate user needs, room configuration and limitations,
existing ventilation design and limitations.
4. The FHES shall contain and remove fumes generated within the hood.
5. Failure to meet the performance requirements shall be cause for rejection of
the equipment and EH&S approval for general lab use may be withheld if the
FHES does not meet design requirements.
6. FHES are required in many types of teaching, research and clinical
laboratories. Discuss and identify requirements with the client and EH&S and
February 2006
Engineering Services. Anticipate and accommodate future research needs

and design for maximum flexibility.
7. Design for adequate space for hood service and utility connections. Identify
need and provide space in the current design for future hoods.
8. Constant volume and variable volume FHES are acceptable. Provide the
rationale for the proposed system and the design criteria for the project early
in design. EH&S and Engineering Services must participate in design
decisions, including level of diversity. Diversity should be based on the
unique characteristics and needs of the individual facility. Diversity less than
80% must be supported by an assessment of researcher practice and
consider the effectiveness of both administrative and engineering controls.
Good Practice
9. Fume hoods shall be located so that their containment performance is not

adversely affected by swinging doors, ventilation diffusers, pedestrian traffic,
other fume hoods or equipment, or any other sources of cross draft. Design
so that the velocity of cross drafts at the face of the hood do not exceed 30%
of the target face velocity. Makeup air shall be introduced at the opposite end
of the laboratory room from the fume hood (s), and flow paths for room HVAC
systems shall be kept away from hood locations, to the extent practical.
NFPA 99 Chapter 5-4.3.2
NFPA 45 Chapter 6-3.4 and 6-9.1
NIH Design Policy and Guidelines, Research Laboratory, 1996, d.7.7
ANSI Z9.5-1992
Air turbulence inhibits the capability of hoods to contain and exhaust contaminated air.
10. Fume hoods shall not be located adjacent to an exit unless a second means
of exit is provided.
NFPA 45 Chapter 6-9.2
NFPA 45 Chapter 3-4.1(d)
NFPA 99 Chapter 5-4.3.2
A fire, explosion, or chemical release, any of which may start in a fume hood, can block an exit rendering it impassable.
11. Provide perchloric acid FHES with a dedicated fan and duct and wash-down
system and locate on the building’s top floor to minimize duct length and
avoid horizontal duct runs; See Appendix A for wash down system
requirements.
12. A radioisotope FEHS may be needed if high level labeling or specific
radioisotopes such as Iodine or Astatine will be used. A radioisotope FHES
requires a dedicated fan and duct. Consult with EH&S early in the project to
determine if a radioisotope hood is necessary.
13. If the hood will be used for acid digestion or used with concentrated acids that
are highly corrosive to stainless steel, provide an acid digestion FHES. The
hood, duct, and fan, must be made of fiberglass reinforced plastic or material
with similar acid resistance. However, A/E must confirm design acceptability
with both the University Fire Engineer and the local fire authority having
jurisdiction prior to Design Development Phase.
14. Laboratory hoods shall not have local on/off or high/low control; exhaust fans
April 2005
shall run continuously. Exceptions may be granted for teaching labs.

15. Under hood storage units shall comply with Chapter 6 of this Design Guide.
16. Portable, non-ducted fume hoods are not permitted. Exceptions may be
granted for single-process applications if approved by EH&S.
17. Provide a face velocity of 100 feet per minute (fpm) +/- 10% at a sash
opening height of 18 inches.
For renovations of existing facilities, a greater airflow may be necessary to comply with 10 air changes per hour
requirement.
18. Noise levels measured at a distance of three foot in front of the sash at a
target height of five feet from the floor, should not exceed 65 dBA, using a
type 2 sound level meter per ANSI SI.4-1971 and an octave band filter for
31.5 to 4000 Hz.
19. Provide constant volume (CV) hoods with an automatic air bypass that limits
the maximum face velocity to 300 lfm at a sash height of 6 inches. The hood
air bypass shall not be dependent on mechanical or electrical linkage.
Design the bypass to prevent hot gases, vapors, or debris generated by fire
or explosion within the hood from being ejected through it directly at the
operator. For example, if the design has the air bypass as horizontal slots on
the front face, the slots shall be directed upward.
20. Variable air volume (VAV) hoods must maintain a minimum exhaust of 20 to
25% of design total cfm through a combination of a reduced bypass and
horizontal deflector vane below the sash frame. The air bypass shall meet
the same requirement as stated for a CV hood above. NOTE: For
renovations of existing facilities, a greater airflow may be necessary to
comply with 10 air changes per hour requirement.
21. Locate controls for hood utilities outside the hood, including receptacles for
110V power.
22. Hood lighting and other fixed electrical equipment within the hood shall be
explosion proof, depending upon the intended purpose of the hood. Lights
shall be changed from outside the hood.
23. If a cup sink is included, provide a dedicated trap for it and install with lip at
least ¼ inch above the work surface to prevent accidental release to sewer.
24. Provide each fume hood with an audible and visible alarm that activate
whenever the face velocity drops below 80 lfm. Provide the audible alarm
with a timed silencing switch after which the alarm will sound again if the
velocity is still less than 80 lfm. By pressing the silencing once, the alarm will
silence for 5 minutes, upon pressing it a second time, the alarm will silence
for 60 minutes.
If the installation is for a renovation with a target sash height a full open, do not include the 60-minute delay.
25. Equip water faucets in new installations and remodeled fume hoods with a
vacuum breaker located outside the hood work chamber. It shall be
accessible for maintenance and located to prevent a hazard from dripping or
flooding.
26. Approved, automatic fire suppression systems shall be provided for hoods
located in basements. The system shall be monitored for activation by the
building fire alarm system.
February 2006
SFD Administrative Rule for Basement Labs
D. Fume Hood Exhaust System Testing
1. Measure FHES face velocities, NOT just airflows, for each hood installed,
and verify that velocities are within the target criteria. The average target
face velocity of a hood intended for standard use shall be 100 fpm +/- 20%.
The project shall include testing of face velocities using a
thermoanemometer; the thermoanemometer is necessary for taking individual
point readings. A minimum of two point readings (approximately 6 inches
from the top and bottom of the sash opening) should be taken for every linear
foot of sash opening. For example, at an 18-inch sash position for a 5-foot
wide hood, 10 readings should be taken, five at 6 inches from the airfoil and
five at 12 inches from the airfoil.
2. Calibrate velocity monitors and alarms, and verify that they are tracking
appropriately.
3. Measure the terminal velocity of supply air nearest the fume hood. The
supply air velocity shall not exceed 30% of the target face velocity at the top
of the sash opening.
4. Once the contractor has verified that the face velocities, monitor and alarms,
and terminal supply velocities at the hood face are within target criteria,
EH&S will test the hood to confirm adequate performance, label it
appropriately, and approve for use.
5. If this is not a University owned facility, see Appendix A for testing details of
the FHES ducts.
April 2005
IV. EMERGENCY EYEWASH AND SAFETY SHOWER

EQUIPMENT
A. Scope
This guide presents the minimum performance requirements for eyewash and shower
equipment for emergency treatment of the eyes or body of a person who has been
exposed to chemicals. It covers the following types of equipment: emergency
showers, eyewash equipment, and combination shower and eyewash or eye/face
wash.
B. Applications
1. Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious or

corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the
eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate
emergency use. These situations include:
a) Areas where corrosive or injurious chemicals are used, such as; 1)

solutions of inorganic or organic acids or bases with a pH of 2.0 or less,
or 12.5 or more, 2) other organic or inorganic materials that are
corrosive or irritating to eyes or skin (e.g., methylene chloride, phenol,
etc.,), or, 3) organic or inorganic materials that are significantly toxic
when absorbed through the skin (e.g., phenol),
b) Areas where corrosive chemicals are used in a closed system that
can catastrophically fail and cause the chemicals to leak (i.e., liquid
lead-acid battery charging areas, or areas where pressurized systems
with corrosive liquids are used),
c) Storage areas where breakable containers of injurious or corrosive
materials (one gallon or more) are handled outside their original
shipping cartons,
d) Waste accumulation areas that could contain corrosive waste
materials,
e) All work areas where formaldehyde solutions in concentrations
greater than or equal to 0.1% are handled,
f) Areas where operations involve the use of air- or water- reactive
liquids or solids,
g) Areas where there is a potential for the eyes to be exposed to
biological hazards that could lead to infection, and
h) 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.
2. Areas where emergency washing facilities are needed include chemical and
February 2006
biological laboratories, shops, janitor closets, industrial washing facilities, and

similar spaces where a hazard exists.
3. A plumbed eyewash and safety shower meeting the specifications of ANSI

Z358.1-1998 shall be provided. Drench hoses, sink faucets, or bathroom-
type showers are not acceptable eyewash/safety shower facilities; however,
they may be useful to supplement eyewashes/safety showers.
4. An emergency shower combined with an eyewash shall be provided at all

work areas where, during normal operations or foreseeable emergencies,
areas of the body may come into contact with a substance which is corrosive,
severely irritating to the skin or which is toxic when absorbed through the
skin. A combination eyewash/shower shall be provided at all work areas
where formaldehyde solutions in concentrations greater than or equal to 1%
are handled.
NFPA 99 Chapter 10-6
5. A combination unit shall be installed within all acid-washing work areas and in
all open- tray film-processing work areas using chemical developers and
fixers.
Good Practice
6. Generally, eyewashes shall not be required in areas where:
a) Chemicals are stored in quantities less than eight ounces and used
at room temperature at rates of less than two ounces per day. NOTE:
Perchloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, formaldehyde concentrations ≥ 0.1%,
and the alkali metals are not covered by this exemption.
b) Compounds hazardous to eye or skin are used in sealed systems at
or below atmospheric pressure and catastrophic failure or leakage is
unlikely. However, an eyewash or shower may be appropriate if the
system is filled, topped-off, or drained in other than a totally enclosed
manner, or
c) Materials hazardous to the eye or skin are stored in bulk in metal or
plastic containers and are not decanted.
7. When chemicals are used in small quantities and the likelihood of exposure is
limited, only an eyewash may be required. When quantities used are larger,
and significant splashing or spraying may occur, a safety shower shall also
be required.
NFPA 99 Chapter 10-6
8. If an emergency eyewash/shower station is required, it shall be located within

ten seconds of the injured person. There shall be no tripping or stumbling
April 2005
hazards in the path of travel to the eyewash.

ANSI Z358.1-1998
A travel distance of fifty feet is deemed to satisfy the ten-second requirement. It is recommended that there should be no
doors in the path of travel; however, if there are doors, there should be no more than one, and it shall swing in the direction
of travel and shall not be a lockable door.
9. An emergency eyewash/shower station shall be located as near as practical

to fume hoods designed for handicapped access.
Good Practice
This is particularly important, as fume hoods are assumed to contain substances which are “corrosive or severely irritating to
the skin or which is toxic are skin absorption.” Safety equipment shall be readily accessible to all persons.
C. Equipment Requirements
1. Safety shower, safety eyewash, and combination units shall comply with the
requirements of ANSI Z358.1-1998, with the clarifications noted in this
section.
2. Eyewash units shall be equipped with a drain. .

Compliance with WAC 296-800-13035 requires weekly activation of the eyewash. This is less likely to be done if the unit
does not have a drain.
3. Tempered water systems shall be provided with nominal temperatures of

70°F for eyewashes and safety showers. For systems serving multiple
fixtures, a single mixing valve shall be provided; mixing valves at each fixture
is NOT acceptable because of the need for increased maintenance and
testing.
Good Practice
Exception: Facilities not owned by the University of Washington may have mixing valves at each fixture.
4. In new construction, showers and eyewash units shall be connected to

potable water. During remodel of existing facilities, showers and eyewash
units may be connected to laboratory water systems if potable water is not
readily available. Signs stating water is non-potable shall be posted for all
showers and eyewash units not connected to potable water.
5. The water supply to showers and/or shower/eyewash combination units shall

be controlled by a ball-type shutoff valve which is visible, well marked and
accessible to shower testing personnel in the event of leaking or failed
shower head valves.
Good Practice
6. The area around the emergency shower shall be painted a bright color and
shall be well lighted. Whenever possible, the floor immediately beneath the
eyewash and emergency shower, and to a radius of about twelve to thirty
inches, shall be a distinctive pattern and color to facilitate clear access.
Good Practice
February 2006
D. General Location
1. Emergency eyewash facilities and safety showers shall be in unobstructed

and accessible locations that require no more than ten seconds for the
injured person to reach along an unobstructed pathway. If both eyewash and
shower are needed, they shall be located so that both can be used at the
same time by one person.
ANSI Z358.1, 4.6.1 and 5.4.4
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory, 5.C.3
2. No obstructions, protrusions, or sharp objects shall be located within thirty

inches of the center of the spray pattern of the emergency shower facility
(i.e., a sixty-inch clearance zone shall be provided).
ANSI Z358.1, 5.1.2
3. No electrical apparatus, telephones, thermostats, or power receptacles

should be located within six feet of either side of the emergency shower or
emergency eyewash facility. If receptacles are necessary within six feet, they
should be equipped with GFI.
Good Practice
4. Specific locations for emergency eyewashes and safety showers are best
chosen in consultation with EH&S.
Good Practice
5. Opaque modesty curtains may be provided which can be drawn around

safety showers.
Good Practice
While using a safety shower, personnel shall strip themselves of splashed clothing because the corrosive/toxic material in
the clothing will continue to act. This has been known to cause skin burns, even after the original splashed chemical has
been removed. Employees will resist stripping, if they are visible in surrounding areas, but opaque modesty screens can be
used. The screens may be stored in a folded condition and deployed as needed, just as any ordinary shower curtain.
E. Pre-commissioning Testing
Proper operation of the equipment, in accordance within the specifications of the ANSI
Z358.1 standard and the requirements of this section, shall be demonstrated prior to
project closeout and facility occupation.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory 6.F.2.6
ANSI Z356.1 section 5.5.1
F. Approved Equipment
April 2005
1. All emergency showers and eyewash facilities shall meet the requirements of
and be installed in accordance with ANSI Z358.1.
2. Swing-down eyewashes that drain into sinks are preferred. EH&S should be
consulted for further information.
February 2006
V. PRESSURE VESSEL COMPONENTS AND SYSTEMS,

AND COMPRESSED-GAS CYLINDERS
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”) inspected and maintained by Facilities Services.
B. Compressed-gas Cylinder Storage
1. Cylinders of compressed gases shall be stored in areas where they are

protected from external heat sources such as flame impingement, intense
radiant heat, electric arcing, or high temperature steam lines.
SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 30, Section 3003
2. The heating of flammable-gas storage areas shall be indirectly heated, such

as by air, steam, hot water, etc.
Good Practice
SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 30, Section 3003.5.6 & 3003.5.7
3. Cylinders shall not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers and

cupboards.
SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 30, Section 3007.2 and associated chemical specific chapters of the IFC
4. Adequate space shall be made available for the segregation of gases by

hazard class. Flammable gases shall not be stored with oxidizing agents.
Separate storage for full and empty cylinders is preferred. Such enclosures
shall serve no other purpose. Inside buildings, cylinders shall be stored in
well-protected, well-ventilated, dry locations, and flammable gas cylinders
shall be at least twenty feet from materials classified as oxidizers and 10 ft.
from combustible materials. Valves, pipe fittings, regulators and other
equipment shall be constructed of materials and have pressure ratings
compatible with the gas being used.
SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 30 & Chapter 35
SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 27, Section 2703.9.8
Good Practice
5. Liquefied fuel-gas cylinders shall be stored/transported in an upright position

so that the safety relief device is in direct contact with the vapor space in the
April 2005
cylinder at all times.

SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter38, Section 3809.3
NFPA 58
6. Storage rooms shall be provided with explosion control when toxic or highly
toxic flammable gases are stored outside gas cabinets or exhausted
enclosures.
Required for SBC/WSBC (IBC) H-5 occupancies.
7. When separate gas storage rooms are provided, they shall operate at a
negative pressure in relation to the surrounding area and they shall also
direct the exhaust ventilation to the fume exhaust system assuring that
incompatible gases are not mixed in the ductwork.
Required for SBC/WSBC (IBC) H-5 occupancies.
Where separate rooms are used to store nonflammable gases and/or storage is below “H” occupancies
limits room exhaust ventilation can be to the general building exhaust system.
8. Storage areas shall be secured against unauthorized entry.

9. The storage of compressed-gas cylinders shall not obstruct exits or routes of

egress. Also, compressed-gas cylinders shall not be stored near in locations
where moving objects may strike or fall upon them.
Good Practice
The design intent should be to locate gas cylinders in designated rooms for bulk storage and in locations
within laboratories that would not impede exiting pathways.
10. 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.
Required for H-5 occupancies, but good practice for other situations.
C. 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.
NFPA 45, 8-1.5
2. Cylinder restraints shall be sufficient to prevent cylinders from tipping over. In

February 2006
seismically active areas, more than one chain/strap should be used (double
chains/straps should be located at one-third and two-thirds the height of the
cylinder.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory 4.E.4
Good Practice
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).
Good Practice
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.
Good Practice
D. Requirements for Gas Cabinets
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.
Required for SBC/WSBC (IBC) H-5 occupancies, but good practice for situations using toxic and highly toxic compressed
gases.
2. Gas cabinets shall be located in a room which has non-recirculated exhaust

ventilation; this room operates at a negative pressure in relation to the
surrounding area, and is connected to the fume exhaust system.
Good Practice
3. Gas cabinets shall have self-closing doors and may require internal
sprinklers; they shall also be constructed of at least 0.097-inch (12-gauge)
steel; and seismically anchored.
4. Gas cabinets shall be fitted with sensors connected to alarms that give
warning in the event of a leak, or exhaust system failure, as appropriate.
Required for H-5 occupancies, but good practice for other situations. For planning purposes, gas cabinets shall contain not
more than three cylinders each, except where cylinder contents are one pound net or less, in which case gas cabinets may
contain up to 100 cylinders each. Gas cabinets shall comply with semiconductor industry standards.
E. Design of Pressure Vessels and Systems
1. Normal and emergency relief venting and vent piping for pressure vessels
should be adequate and in accordance with the design of the vessel.
April 2005
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for Unfired Pressure Vessels
February 2006
VI. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE CABINETS
A. Scope
This section of the Design Guide applies to the design, construction, and installation of
hazardous materials storage cabinets.
B. Approvals and Listings
1. Flammable liquid storage cabinets shall be UL listed.

Good Practice. UL listing assures a minimum level of quality consistent with code requirements and
Good Practice.
“UL Listing” is not required for corrosive or toxic material storage cabinets.
C. Design
1. During the building design phase a preliminary Hazardous Material Inventory

Statement (HMIS) shall be developed to ensure the building and associated
laboratory needs conform to code-governed quantity limits.
SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 27, Section 2705.5
An HMIS is required by the Fire Department for issuance of a hazards material permit, a requirement of occupancy.
2. Storage and use of Class I flammable liquids are restricted in basements.

SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 34, Section 3404.3.5.1
EH&S should be consulted regarding SFD Administrative Rule 79.2 for associated with the requirements for flammable
liquids storage and use in basement level laboratories. Chemical quantities, ventilation, and electrical design issues are
impacted by requirements of Administrative Rule 79.2.
3. Laboratories that store, use or handle more than ten gallons of flammable or
combustible liquids shall have one or more flammable liquid storage cabinets.
4. Flammable liquid storage cabinets shall be conspicuously labeled in red

letters on contrasting background “FLAMMABLE – KEEP FIRE AWAY.”
SFC/WSFC (IFC) Chapter 34, Section 3404.3.2.1.2
5. When flammable or combustible liquids present multiple hazards, the storage

requirements for each hazard shall be addressed.
Good Practice
For example acetic acid is a corrosive and combustible material. Therefore, if stored in a flammable cabinet with other
flammable materials, it should be segregated (i.e., secondary containment).
6. Hazardous material storage capacities for buildings and laboratories shall

conform to fire code limits based on the specific occupancy and material.
April 2005
IFC Chapter 27 and associated chemical specific chapters
7. Corrosive/toxic material storage cabinet shelving shall be constructed to

prevent spillage of contents with tight-fitting joints, welded or riveted liquid-
tight bottoms, door sills of at least two inches, and lockable cabinet doors that
are self-closing and self-latching. Corrosive materials should not be stored in
metal cabinets unless the materials of construction are specifically treated to
be corrosion-resistant.
Good Practice
D. Venting Hazardous Material Storage Cabinets

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.
1. It is recommended that unless required by code, flammable liquid cabinets

not be vented as it 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. Compatible non-metallic duct material, such as PVC, can
be used for acid- or corrosive-material storage cabinet service.
Polypropylene is not appropriate vent duct material, since it is combustible.
NFPA 30 (2003) Section 6.3.4, A6.3.4
Cabinet Manufacturer’s Requirements
The citation does not specifically authorize or forbid venting flammable storage cabinets. The citation requires Piping,
valves, fittings, and related components intended for use with flammable and combustible liquids shall be designed and
fabricated from suitable materials equal to that of the cabinet. Such equipment shall be in accordance with nationally
recognized engineering standards, and listed in the application.
2. Flammable cabinets built into laboratory casework are not to be vented into
the fume-hood exhaust system. No acceptable method of doing this has
been identified.
Good Practice
NFPA 30 (2003) Section 6.3.4
3. 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.
February 2006
4. If the cabinet is not vented, then it shall be sealed with the bungs supplied by
the manufacturer.
Good Practice
Cabinet Manufacturer’s Listing Requirements
5. 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.
Good Practice
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.
Good Practice
2. Flammable liquid storage cabinets shall not be wall-mounted.

Good Practice
Cabinet Manufacturer’s Listing Requirements
Wall-mounted cabinets are not UL listed or FM approved. The mounting could breach the fire-resistant integrity of the
cabinet.
3. Flammable liquid storage cabinets shall not be located near an open flame or
other ignition source.
Good Practice
An open flame or other ignition source could start a fire or cause an explosion if an accident or natural disaster brought the
ignition source and flammable liquids or vapors together.
4. Flammable and toxic/corrosive liquid storage cabinets shall be seismically

anchored to prevent spillage of contents.
Good Practice
April 2005
VII. BIOSAFETY LABORATORIES
A. Scope
The design and construction of a facility that contributes to efficient and safe work with
biohazardous materials is the goal of this chapter. Before a proposed biosafety
containment laboratory can be effectively planned, a risk assessment determines the
containment conditions that are required. Risk assessments, conducted on a case-by-
case basis, consider the biohazardous materials, the nature of the work, procedures
involved, equipment needs, regulatory requirements, national guidelines, and UW
requirements. The guidelines presented here are for general-use Biosafety
Containment Levels 1, 2, and 3 for biological research laboratories. Containment
facilities for animals, large-scale (≥10 liters) operations, clean rooms, US Department
of Agriculture containment requirements, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
containment requirements, greenhouse and Biosafety Level 4 work (BSL 4) are
beyond the scope of this Guide.
If vertebrate animals are involved in research with biohazardous materials, special
precautions are required. Requirements will be specified on a case-by-case basis by
EH&S personnel.
See other sections of this guide for general laboratory requirements and other
requirements.
B. Basic Laboratory Design for Biosafety Level 1
1. Each laboratory shall have a sink for hand washing.
2. The laboratories shall be designed for easy cleaning.
3. Carpets and rugs shall not be used.
4. Bench tops shall be impervious to water, and resistant to acids, alkalis,

organic solvents and moderate heat.
5. Approved and accepted methods for decontamination of infectious or

regulated laboratory wastes shall be available (e.g., autoclave, chemical
disinfection or other decontamination system approved by the EH&S
Biosafety Officer (BSO) or designee).
6. The autoclave need not be in the actual laboratory room. Autoclave

installations need to be ASME stamped and UL Listed.
7. Laboratory furniture shall be:

February 2006
a) Sturdy.
b) Capable of supporting anticipated loads and uses.
c) Upholstered with liquid-proof and easily cleaned/decontaminated
material.
d) Such that spaces between and under benches, cabinets or
equipment shall be accessible for cleaning.
8. Windows shall be fixed and not operable.
9. Doors shall be lockable.
10. Laboratories should be designed in order to incorporate proper ergonomic

conditions for the tasks to be performed within the facility.
See sections 1-6 and 8 of this guide for other requirements.
C. Basic Laboratory Design for Biosafety Level 2
In addition to the requirements for a BSL 1 laboratory, the following are required:
1. Floors shall:
a) Have a slip-resistant, smooth, hard finish.

b) Be liquid-tight, monolithic/seamless or have welded seams.
c) Have recommended flooring material coved up wall four inches or
have the cove-base installed to create a watertight seal to the floor.
2. Walls should be durable, washable, resistant to detergents/disinfectants, and

use durable high-gloss acrylic or epoxy paint or equivalent.
3. Exposed corners and walls shall be protected from damage by carts.
4. Ceiling height shall provide a minimum of twelve inches of clearance above

biological safety cabinets (BSC). The ceiling around the BSC shall be high
enough to allow for thimble connection (or gas-tight valves for Class II Type B
BSC).
If the laboratory has a sprinkler system, local fire codes may require eighteen inches or more clearance.
5. Doors shall:
a) Be self-closing and locking.
b) Have fire ratings as required.
c) Not be provided with any kind of hold-open device.
April 2005
6. Wall/ceiling penetrations shall be kept to a minimum and sealed with fire-

retardant material.
7. An emergency eyewash and shower unit shall that comply with requirements
of Chapter 4 of this Guide shall be provided.
8. Floor drains shall be allowed for autoclaves.
9. An ASME-stamped UL-listed autoclave shall be provided in close proximity to

the laboratory. Autoclaves shall be seismically anchored.
10. Venting of the autoclave is recommended; use manufacturer’s recommended

and good industrial ventilation design principles.
See sections 1-6 and 8 of this guide for other requirements.
D. Basic Laboratory Design for Biosafety Level 3
The EH&S Biosafety Officer on behalf of and in accordance with the Institutional
Biosafety Committee and their policies, must approve the location and design of any
BSL 3 facility and has final authority to authorize commencement of BSL 3 work.
1. The design shall incorporate the following:

a) The facility must have effectively gas-tight walls, ceilings and floors
(i.e., capable of containing decontamination gas during the
decontamination process for a given period of time, according to EH&S
specifications).
b) The air balance shall be set so air flows from low-hazard rooms to
higher-hazard rooms.
c) Room construction shall be high quality with special consideration
given to joints, finishes and penetrations.
d) Work surfaces, floors, walls and ceilings shall be designed,
constructed, and finished to facilitate easy cleaning and
decontamination.
e) Enhanced Security shall be provided as specified in following Item
25.
2. All tall and/or heavy fixtures and equipment (e.g., biological safety cabinets,
autoclaves, etc.) should be fitted with a seismic anchoring system/device.
3. A third party owner’s agent selected by Environmental Health and Safety
familiar with BSL-3 design shall commission the facility. Commissioning shall
include visual inspection and performance testing to verify that design and
operational parameters have been met before research may begin. The
commissioning plan shall be reviewed and approved by EH&S. Completed
inspection and test reports and other documentation associated with
February 2006
commissioning shall be provided to EH&S.
4. The facility shall be located:

a) Away from public areas.
b) Separated from unrestricted traffic.
c) Such that entry to the laboratory is always via anteroom/change
room.
d) So as to avoid entry into anterooms from the outdoors (with
consequent dirt and contamination problems).
5. The anteroom shall:

a) Include access to the laboratory through two doors in series.
b) Be positively pressurized when compared to the BSL 3 facility but
negative to the corridor.
c) Include doors that are interlocked or alarmed so that only one door
may be opened at a time (with emergency egress interlock override as
required by local fire code).
d) Have supply and exhaust air ducted in the room.
e) Have airflow of at least fifty cfm into the anteroom from the access
corridor.
f) Have a floor sink provided with a drain that is resistant to
disinfectant materials.
g) Provide for cylinders of CO2 and other plumbed specialty gases to
be kept outside the BSL 3 facility and anteroom.
h) Provide for storage of clean gowns, laboratory coats or uniforms
that must be donned before entry, and in addition to a place for used
protective clothing that must be removed before leaving the suite.
i) Have communications capabilities installed.
j) Provide eight square feet of floor space provided for a laundry
hamper.
k) Have Autoclave and exhaust canopies.
6. Floors shall be:

a) Liquid-tight, monolithic/seamless or with welded seams.
b) Coved up the wall four inches.
c) Easily cleaned, chemical-resistant flooring with a slip-resistant,
smooth, hard finish.
7. Walls shall be:

a) Washable, easily cleaned, and resistant to detergents/disinfectants
(i.e. high gloss acrylic or epoxy paint, or equivalent).
b) Extending to the structural deck above (full height).
c) Protected from damage by carts, etc., where corners and walls are
April 2005
exposed.
8. The ceiling shall:

a) Be washable, resistant to detergents/disinfectants.
b) Be covered with durable high-gloss acrylic or epoxy paint or
equivalent.
c) Be of monolithic construction (i.e., gypsum board, permanently-
affixed tiles).
d) Have airtight access panels, if any.
9. At least twelve inches of clearance above biosafety cabinets that exhaust

directly into the laboratory shall be provided per NSF-49.
When fire sprinklers are installed, a greater clearance may be required by local fire codes.
10. When a thimble connection is used (Class II A2 BSC) the ceiling height must
accommodate the biosafety cabinet, thimble and duct.
11. Doors shall:

a) Be self-closing and locking (see Item 24, “Security Systems”).
b) Open inward.
c) Be of solid-finish construction, including the doorframe.
d) Have openings large enough to allow passage of large equipment.
e) Have doorframe connections to the wall be made airtight at time of
frame installation.
f) Relites are recommended.
12. Windows shall:

a) Be installed in an airtight manner.
b) Be safety glass, permanently closed and silicone sealed.
c) In addition, windows should be installed which permit viewing,
communication, and supervision.
13. Viewing into the BSL 3 facility is not allowed from public areas.
14. Plumbing shall have:

a) All penetrations perpendicular to the surface and shall be caulked to
be gas-tight.
b) All pipes into the BSL 3 facility secured to prevent movement.
c) Corrosion-resistant fixtures (specifically bleach and other
disinfectants).
d) Space and connections provided so CO2 and other specialty gases
are stored outside the containment laboratory and/or vivaria and
February 2006
therefore shall be piped in.

e) Back-flow prevention provided on all faucets (including industrial
water).
f) Piping properly identified by use of labels and tags.
g) Flexible gas and vacuum connections.
h) In addition, a floor sink in anteroom and the location of the water
supply control outside the biocontainment area are also recommended.
15. Hand-washing sinks shall:

a) Be located in each room near the exit.
b) Dispense potable water.
c) Be either hands-free or automatically operated.
d) Be near a wall-mounted paper towel dispenser and a wall-mounted
soap dispenser.
e) In addition, the following are recommended:
(1) Have hot and cold water from a pre-mixing faucet.
(2) Have an oversized, backsplash coved at the base to
facilitate cleaning.
16. An emergency eyewash shall be located in each BSL 3 room, and an

emergency shower, that complies with Chapter 4 of this Guide shall be
provided.
17. A HEPA filter and disinfection traps shall be installed on vacuum system lines
before they leave the BSL 3 facility. A HEPA filter shall be installed in-line
before the pump when vacuum pumps are in the BSL 3 facility.
18. Electrical systems and communications systems networks shall:

a) Keep wall/ceiling penetrations to a minimum and be sealed with fire-
retardant material (i.e., 3M CP-25 or equal).
b) Not compromise the airtight quality of the facility.
c) In addition, the following are recommended:
(1) Junction boxes that are cast and/or sealed airtight.
(2) Surface-mounted light fixtures or light fixtures designed to
maintain the facility’s gas-tight requirements.
(3) Independent circuits for each biosafety cabinet.
(4) Circuit breakers located outside biocontainment area.
(5) Standby emergency power provided for essential equipment,
including but not limited to BSC, fans, and alarms.
19. An autoclave shall be available in the BSL 3 facility with pass-through to the
anteroom or support area. Autoclaves may be located outside the BSL 3
facility but within the building when approved by EH&S. The autoclave
April 2005
installation shall also have:

a) Bioseals or other equivalent means to create a seal at the wall.
b) Floor penetrations, if essential, which are sealed at the monolithic
floor to be water- and gas-tight.
c) Sign-off by a professional engineer.
d) Autoclave repair access outside the containment zone.
e) Insulated pipes if exposed.
f) Seismic anchoring for autoclaves.
g) In addition, the following are recommended:
(1) Verification with users as to the size and need for
microisolator cycles.
(2) An integral effluent decontamination system for discharge.
(3) A corrosion-resistant basin, which prevents leakage.
(4) A canopy hood over the autoclave to capture and remove
heat and steam from each end of the autoclave.
20. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems shall meet the
requirements of section 4 of this Guide. In addition, they shall:
a) Create directional airflow drawing air from low-hazard rooms/areas
to higher-hazard rooms/areas.
b) Use supply and exhaust dampers of gas-tight design and closable
from outside the facility to facilitate decontamination.
c) Be balanced so that the minimum pressure differential between the
hallway and anteroom is 0.05 inches of water and the minimum
pressure differential between the anteroom and the laboratory is
another 0.05 inches of water.
d) Be provided with alarm panels with pressure indication between the
laboratory and anteroom, and anteroom and hallway. These panels
shall have visual and audible alarms to warn of failure in differential
pressure inside and outside the containment module.
e) Provide air supply and exhaust system capacity, which is ≥ 125% of
the laboratory’s requirements. The use of a redundant fan system is
optional.
f) Not become positively pressurized if the exhaust system fails. The
supply and exhaust fans should be electrically interlocked.
g) Monitor pressure gradients in this area.
h) Maintain negative air pressure by providing 10% more exhaust
airflow air than supply air.
i) Rooms of higher hazard shall have ≥ 50 cfm flowing into them from
lower-hazard rooms.
j) Provide an air balance, which accommodates BSC thimble exhaust
requirements if Class II A2 cabinets are used.
k) Be provided with a damper in the HVAC bypass if Class II B1 or B2
cabinets are used. This damper shall be interlocked with the BSC to
exhaust the laboratory when the BSC is turned off (extends filter life,
February 2006
assures negative pressure is maintained within the laboratory and

provides room ventilation during BSC or laboratory decontamination).
21. HEPA filters, if provided on the exhaust system, shall be either bag-in/bag-out
or capable of isolation (by gas-tight damper) to accommodate gas
decontamination. Provisions shall be made to replace gas-decontaminated
filters after decontamination when the decontaminant is incompatible with
HEPA filter media (e.g., aqueous solutions that will weaken filter media or
substances that will corrode or degrade the filter media).
a) Exhaust-system HEPA filters shall be provided for BSL 3 facilities.
HEPA filters should comply with DOE-STD-3020-97 (or the latest
edition).
b) Arrangements shall be made to permit periodic leak testing of
exhaust-system HEPA filters. The system design should comply with
ASME AG-1. The test arrangement shall have these features:
(1) An injection port or location located upstream of the HEPA
filter to accommodate DOP (or equivalent) challenge aerosol
testing. This location will promote uniform mixing of the
challenge aerosol with subsequent turbulence.
(2) An upstream sampling port installed about six to twelve
inches upstream from the filter.
(3) A downstream sampling port located where the airflow has
become thoroughly mixed. This may be accomplished using a
Stairmand disk located four to six duct diameters downstream, a
downstream leak-tight fan, or similar arrangements.
(4) Penetrations of a design that can be plugged or capped
between leakage tests.
(5) Alternatively, commercially fabricated bag-in/bag-out
assemblies with factory-installed equipment for injection, mixing,
and sampling of challenge aerosols may be used.
c) A magnahelic gauge or other pressure-monitoring device shall be
installed to measure pressure drop across all HEPA filters. The
magnahelic gauges or pressure-monitoring devices shall be readable
from outside the BSL 3 facility.
22. Space shall be provided on or near the door for the conspicuous posting of:
a) The biohazard warning symbol.
b) A list of personnel authorized, possibly by title, to enter the area.
c) Access rules.
23. Security systems shall be used to control access to the building and/or region
of the building and the BSL 3 laboratory. The security system shall limit
access to authorized people, and record entry and exit times and dates.
Security measures shall equal or exceed the guidance set forth in Appendix F
of the latest version of the CDC-NIH “Biosafety in Microbiological and
Biomedical Laboratories”. Please contact the EH&S Biosafety Officer for
April 2005
security and access control equipment and requirements.
24. A telephone communications network and/or intercom system shall be

installed so workers can communicate with people outside the BSL 3 in the
event of emergency or for business reasons.
a) The telecommunications and computer systems shall not reduce the
airtight integrity of the facility.
b) Wall/ceiling penetrations shall be kept to a minimum and sealed with
fire-retardant material.
c) A hands-free phone with foot or knee-operated pickup is
recommended.
25. A “pass-through” (for supplies, product or equipment) shall be approved by

the Biosafety Officer on a case-by-case basis.
E. Biological Safety Cabinets and Other Containment Considerations
1. Biological safety cabinets shall be located away from doors, high-traffic,

ventilation diffusers and other air current sources.
NSF Standard 49, Annex E
Air turbulence is generated (room air pressure is also affected) when doors are opened and when people walk in the vicinity
of the biosafety cabinet. Currents of air can disrupt the protective capability of the cabinet. Installing biosafety cabinets in
low traffic areas minimizes this problem.
2. Two biosafety cabinets should not be installed directly opposite each other
when they are closer than six feet apart.
Good Practice
Laminar airflow is greatly hindered by the concurrent operation of two biosafety cabinets situated across from each other.
The potential for air turbulence also increases when two cabinet operators are working at the same time in the same
immediate vicinity.
3. Do not design BSCs to be plumbed with natural gas; this is prohibited.
4. Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC) shall be installed as follows:
a) Class II, Type A2 BSC for biohazard work not involving chemicals;
they shall be connected to the exhaust system via an air gap (thimble
connection).
b) With thimble connections as provided by the BSC manufacturer or
as approved by the Biosafety Officer.
c) Class II, Type B2 BSC for biohazardous work involving flammable,
volatile, and toxic chemicals and radionuclides. Class II Type B2 BSC
shall be directly (hard) connected to a dedicated exhaust system.
d) Class II B BSC shall be interlocked with the exhaust fan so they
shut down and alarm in the event of an exhaust fan/system failure.
e) Class II B1 and B2 BSC shall be provided with a gas-tight valve for
decontamination on the exhaust that is accessible from the front or side
of the cabinet.
February 2006
f) Class II B1 and B2 BSC shall not share a common HVAC manifold

or fan; separate ducts and fans shall be provided.
g) Thimble connection exhaust airflow shall be 120-125% of the BSC
manufacturer’s exhaust specification.
h) In addition, BSC in BSL 3 facilities should:
(1) Have at least twelve inches of clearance is provided above it
for testing and decontamination of HEPA filters.
(2) Have at least four inches of clearance from the rear and six
inches’ clearance on the utility side of the cabinet.
(3) Have the power receptacle located high on the wall so the
unit may be easily unplugged for servicing.
(4) Be ergonomically designed.
(5) Be seismically anchored.
(6) Have utilities lines installed behind it.
5. All cabinets shall be NSF listed, UL approved and installed in accordance

with the manufacturer’s requirements.
Good Practice
The cabinet manufacturer has designed a unit which, when used and installed properly, will provide both product and
personnel protection. However, if the cabinet is not installed properly (i.e., not ducting a Class II B2 cabinet), then it will
not be serviceable. To install a cabinet and deviate from the listed NSF requirements will void the NSF Standard 49
approved listing.
6. When initially installed or when reinstalled, biosafety cabinets shall be

provided with an appropriate means of seismic stabilization.
Good Practice
NOTE: The manufacturer should always be consulted to avoid possible damage to the pressurized cabinet volumes.
7. Biosafety cabinets shall be certified by UW EH&S technicians prior to building

acceptance or, for installations not involving significance building
modifications, before use with biohazards.
NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory 8.C, 8.D
Good Practice
8. Class II Type A BSC shall be vented from the building through a thimble
connection unless specifically exempted by EH&S.
Researchers must confer with the Biosafety Officer and provide information regarding materials and agents to be used in the
cabinet. Exemptions will not be considered when information is not provided or unavailable
Good Practice
UW Chemical Hygiene Committee recommendation
9. Where BSC are connected to external ducts, a flow monitoring system with
audible and visual annunciations shall be used to alert the BSC of loss of
external ventilation. Alternatively, thimble connections or canopy mini-
enclosures in BSC shall be fitted with a ribbon streamer or equivalent
April 2005
attached at an edge through which air enters the device to indicate the airflow
direction.
10. Security measures shall be designed and installed to meet or exceed the
conditions set in Appendix F “Laboratory Security: an Emergency Response
for Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.”
CDC-NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories
11. The UW Biosafety Officer must approve The BSC make and model prior to
procurement.
February 2006
VIII. FIRE SAFETY
A. Scope
This guide presents the minimum performance requirements for fire safety building
features provided for laboratory buildings. It includes fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers,
fire alarms, fire/smoke dampers, and environmental control systems/smoke control.
This section is written primarily for leased buildings and other facilities not maintained
by UW Facilities Services.
B. Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguisher shall be conspicuously located and within required travel distances
as outlined in codes and standards. Travel distance and extinguisher capacity
requirements vary significantly with occupancy. Below are common placement and
design criteria specific to laboratory buildings.
1. Wet laboratories, hazardous material storage, dispensing, and mixing rooms

require a UL rated 3A:40BC extinguisher within thirty (30) feet of travel
distance from any point, but not necessarily in each room. Where
extinguishers are provided inside wet laboratories, the extinguisher should be
located near the egress door.
SBC/SFC WSBC/WSFC (IBC/IFC) Chapter 9, Section 906.3
NFPA 10 Chapter 5
Wet laboratories are considered laboratories with significant amounts (greater than five gallons) of hazardous and
flammable materials such as chemical research laboratories, semiconductor fabrication facilities, biological laboratories, and
other laboratories using hazardous materials.
2. An UL-rated 3A:40BC extinguisher shall be required in ordinary-hazard

occupancies within a travel distance of fifty (50) feet from any point, but not
necessarily in each room.
NFPA 10 Chapter 5
Ordinary-hazard occupancies are considered to be: dry laboratories, computer laboratories, laundry rooms, library stacks,
low combustible warehousing/storage mechanical rooms, fuel-fired equipment rooms, parking garages, and workshop-
service-repair areas. Dry laboratories have five gallons or less of hazardous and flammable materials such as microscope
rooms, physics laboratories, astronomy laboratories, electronics laboratories, and geology laboratories.
3. An UL-rated 2A:10BC extinguisher shall be required in light-hazard

occupancies within (75) seventy-five feet of travel distance from any point,
but not necessarily in each room.
NFPA 10 Chapter 5
Light-hazard occupancies are considered to be: assembly rooms, auditoriums, meeting/conference rooms, classrooms,
April 2005
common areas, corridors, hallways, dining and lunch or break rooms, electrical vaults, kitchenettes, locker rooms,
mechanical rooms without fuel-fired equipment, medical/hospital In-patient/clinic and treatment rooms, offices, reception
areas, waiting rooms, and lounges.
4. An UL-rated 2A:10BC extinguisher shall be required in elevator machine

rooms or just outside the rooms no further than fifteen feet from the access to
the elevator machine room.
Department of Labor and Industries Requirement
ASME A17.1
5. Carbon dioxide or other clean agent (UL-rated 10BC) extinguishers shall be

provided in dedicated computer rooms and clean rooms.
Good Practice
C. Building Fire Service/Utilities
1. A six-inch minimum fire service shall be provided. Engineering calculations

shall be generated for lead-in pipe sizing to document pipe sizing.
Good Practice
2. Water piping shall not be installed below slabs on grade.

SFD Administrative Rule 9.03.04
3. Drains should parallel combination standpipes within stair enclosures and

discharge to a minimum six-inch sewer drain with a short standpipe (e.g.,
eight-inch pipe to approximately thirty inches above finished floor) to prevent
flooding.
Good Practice
D. Fire Sprinklers/Standpipes
1. Fire sprinklers shall be provided throughout laboratory buildings.

Good Practice
Although not required by code in all cases, the UW believes that providing fire sprinklers is a proven investment and
provides related code benefits and increased flexibility for hazardous material storage and use.
2. Due to the high level of combustibles and hazardous materials, laboratories

are considered as Ordinary-Hazard Group II for fire sprinkler design
purposes. Floors not occupied by laboratories shall be designed based on
their specific occupancies.
NFPA 13 (1999), Chapter 2
3. Concealed sprinkler heads shall not be used in laboratories unless

specifically listed for the laboratory environment being installed.
February 2006
Fire Sprinkler Head Listing Requirements

Concealed fire sprinklers have specific installation requirements for Ordinary Hazard occupancies. Due to laboratories
positive or negative pressure airflow past the fire sprinkler heads is possible, which voids the listing of the sprinkler head.
4. Quick-response fire sprinkler heads shall be used to satisfy accessibility

standards instead of providing areas of evacuation assistance. Quick-
response heads shall be install in all areas allowed by governing standards.
Good Practice
WSBC Section 1104.1 (Existing Facilities)
5. System layouts with a branch-and-tree configuration shall be provided, with

identifiable and accessible cross-mains. A looped cross-main design with
dead-end branch lines may substitute for a branch-and-tree layout provided,
the cross main only uses a single loop (no grid) and the looped main is
minimum 2.5 inches.
Good Practice
This performance criterion is given to ensure the fire sprinkler system can be easily modified over the life of the building to
address changes in building function and configuration.
6. Ceiling systems collect heat and aid in the activation of fire sprinklers. Where
partial ceilings are provided for architectural reasons, special attention should
be paid to the design of the sprinkler system. Heads both above and below
the ceiling may be required where the ceiling is not continuous.
NFPA 13, Good Practice
7. Fire sprinkler mains shall be located outside of main hallways and corridors.
Good Practice
Locating fire sprinkler mains outside hallways and corridors allows more room in a commonly congested ceiling space.
E. Fire Alarm Systems
1. The fire alarm control panel shall be addressable with analog sensor and
PNIS proprietary station monitoring capability.
Good Practice
Addressable technology is preferred due to its ability to pinpoint a given specific location of incident occurrence.
April 2005
2. All fire alarm system wiring and cable shall be installed in metal conduit.
Good Practice
3. Service personnel must be able to perform comprehensive tests on the fire

alarm system with minimum disruption to occupants.
a) Fire alarm system control must originate from the control panel
and/or programmable field devices.
b) Individual bypass switches located at the main control panel must
provide system-wide bypass for each type of output to accommodate
testing with minimal disruption.
c) For larger buildings (i.e. taller than four stories and buildings with a
very large footprint) voice capability shall be provided to allow for
announcing commencement and completion of routine fire alarm tests
to reduce unnecessary disruption and evacuation.
Good Practice
4. The design shall include complete smoke detection throughout public

corridors and hallways. Detection shall be spaced thirty-five (35) to forty (40)
feet on center. Detector locations shall be coordinated with ceiling diffusers;
none may be closer than three (3) feet.
Good Practice, NFPA 72
Detection provided in public egress pathways ensures that the building will be put into general alarm when smoke has begun
to compromise an egress pathway. This is considered a more balanced approach to full detection, which makes the building
more susceptible to false alarms.
5. Smoke detectors shall be provided throughout rooms/areas dedicated for

library stacks.
Good Practice
Additional detection is considered appropriate due to the concentrated value and potential limited replacement of library
materials.
6. Smoke detectors shall not be provided in exit stairs or dirty environments that
would be prone to false alarm unless required by code.
Good Practice
7. For buildings not equipped with fire sprinklers, heat detectors shall be
provided in kitchens, storerooms, mechanical rooms, janitor closets, etc.
SFC, NFPA 72
8. Manual fire alarm pull stations shall be provided at all building exits in the
direct path of egress, regardless of code requirements. Pull stations shall be
provided on individual floors at the entrance to the exit stair.
Good Practice, NFPA 72
February 2006
9. Fire alarm audibility is required throughout the building by the Seattle Fire
Code. The following guidelines are provided to ensure audibility is provided
per code and occupant sensitivity to alarms is addressed.
a) Typically, fire alarm speaker audibility can only be achieved through
a single door. Therefore, an office inside a suite would require an
audible device within the suite to ensure sufficient audibility in the office.
Audible device placement in individual offices should be avoided where
possible.
b) Audible/visual alarms shall be provided in each laboratory to
overcome ambient laboratory noise.
c) Audible devices are typically required in acoustic (sound) rooms,
coolers, environmental rooms, and other regularly occupied sound-
transmission-resistant areas. Environmental rooms may require
weatherproof devices.
d) Audible devices located in restrooms should set at a reduced level.
NFPA 72
SBC/SFC WSBC/WSFC (IBC/IFC) Chapter 9,Section 907.10.2
10. Visual alarms (strobe lights) are required throughout all public spaces and
common areas as defined by the applicable codes and standards. Visual
alarm design must include the candela rating on the individual device, and a
template should be used to ensure sufficient intensity to provide coverage of
all required areas. Synchronization of visual notification devices is required
when multiple devices are in the line of sight. Providing synchronization for
the entire building should be considered.
SBC/WSBC (IBC) Chapter 11
NFPA 72
When visual alarms are provided as part of a combination device (horn/strobe or speaker/strobe) in a non-public space (i.e.,
research laboratory), the visual alarm need not achieve the minimal candela rating throughout the room or area.
NFPA 72
Public spaces include but are not limited to hallways, corridors, classrooms, meeting rooms, conference rooms, copy rooms,
lounges, break rooms, and restrooms.
F. Fire/Smoke Dampers
1. The number of smoke/fire dampers should be minimized through:

a) Coordination of duct layout with suite configurations.
b) Close attention to code “exceptions” to standard smoke/fire damper
placement requirements.
Good Practice
SBC/WSBC (IBC) Chapter 7, Section 716.3.2.1
2. The UW prefers the use of pneumatic dampers due to their reliability. If the
building is connected to a reliable air supply, pneumatic dampers should be
considered.
April 2005
Good Practice
3. The manufacturer shall stand behind the reliability of the actuators even if
they are to be closed only once a year. The manufacturer shall not limit the
warranty of the damper due to closure only once a year. Electric actuators
shall have an end-switch or clutch to reduce force on the damper when it is
being held open. Electric actuators shall not use stall-motors.
Good Practice
4. Provide access panels associated with each fire/smoke damper.

SMC Section 607.4
G. Environmental Control Systems/Smoke Control
1. Engineered smoke control systems should be provided only as value-added

for the project or specifically required by code. The specific requirements of a
smoke control system shall be reviewed to ensure a smoke control system
will be value-added.
SBC Chapter 9
The UW’s history with engineered smoke control systems is not favorable. Unless the systems are designed in detail and
based on good engineering principles, these systems often increase project costs and are not reliable.
2. Only the fire alarm system should control life safety fans such as atriums,
elevator shafts, and dedicated smoke control systems. Likewise, only the fire
alarm system should control the smoke dampers at air-handler inlet and
discharge. Shut down authority should be effective for all positions of the
local HOA or VFD controls. The environmental control system shall not
control fans after shutdown by the fire alarm system until after resetting the
fire alarm system. Toilet and other non-recirculating exhaust fans shall
remain on unless this creates a problem with air quality or excessive pressure
on exit doors.
SMC Section 608
Good Practice
3. In buildings where mechanical systems operate under direct digital control in

emergency power conditions, the environmental control system shall monitor
the fire alarm panel to determine when the building is under a fire alarm
condition. The environmental control system shall monitor the emergency
power transfer switch to determine when there is loss of normal power and
restoration of normal power.
NFPA 72
Good Practice
February 2006
IX. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RADIOACTIVE

MATERIAL LABORATORIES
A. Scope
All radioactive materials and their uses are governed by the terms and conditions of
the UW Radioactive Materials License, issued by the State of Washington Department
of Health, Division of Radiation Protection (DOH).
UW Type A License of Broad Scope
B. Basic Laboratory Design
1. A facility for handling radioactive material shall be located and designed so

that the radiation doses to persons outside the facility can be maintained
below applicable limits and are As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Report No. 127 Section 4.1
2. Sinks shall be constructed of impervious material such as stainless steel.

Faucets should be foot-, elbow- or knee-operated. Plumbing should be
smooth and easily cleaned.
UW Radiation Safety Manual
NUREG 1556 Vol. 7 Appendix L
3. When required, radiation shielding shall be approved by the UW Radiation

Safety Office (RSO).
This applies to high-energy gamma and x-ray emitters. Facility-designed shielding is not usually needed for alpha- or beta-
emitters.
4. The UW RSO shall determine whether High, Very High or Airborne radiation
areas exist and specify requirements that may result from these unusual
levels of radioactive materials.
NCRP No. 127 Section 4.2
5. Floors should be smooth, nonporous, easily cleaned surfaces. Appropriate

floor materials include sheet vinyl and sealed concrete.
6. Laboratory benches must have nonporous, easily decontaminated surfaces.

Surfaces of high-quality plastic laminate or stainless steel are preferable.
April 2005
C. Ventilation Considerations
1. The UW RSO shall evaluate facilities performing procedures that involve any
unsealed radioactive materials having the potential to emit airborne
radionuclides for compliance with State of Washington Air Emission
Standards. Calculations may reveal that the facility needs to be equipped
with ventilation that will limit air concentrations to levels that are ALARA and
are lower than allowed limits. Ventilation systems shall prevent the escape of
the airborne contaminants to adjacent non-use areas to assure that air
concentrations in those areas do not exceed allowed limits. 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.
Washington Administrative Code 246-247
2. Hood inserts are only permitted for iodination procedures specifically

approved by the UW RSO.
NCRP Report No. 127 Section 4.5
3. Nuclear air cleaning (filtration) systems on major installations shall be

designed in accordance with ASME N509 or AG-1, and should be designed
in accordance with N509 and AG-1 whenever possible for all installations.
The radiation exposure of individuals from the radioactive materials retained
on the filter(s) shall be evaluated. Each filter stage shall be designed and
located to facilitate independent testing in accordance with ASME N510 or
AG-1. HEPA filters used in the last stage of a system just prior to discharge
into occupied locations or the environment shall comply with DOE-STD-3020-
97 (be “nuclear grade”).
DOE Specification for HEPA Filters Used by DOE Contractors, DOE-STD-3020-97
ASME Code on Nuclear Air and Gas Treatment AG-1-1997
ASME Nuclear Power Plant Air-Cleaning Units and Components ASME N509-1989
ASME “HEPA Filter Bank In-Place Test,” ASME N510-1989
Each filter stage should be designed and located to facilitate independent testing according to applicable standards. Proper
design will allow the filters to be changed easily while minimizing the potential for release of radioactivity and worker
exposure. Push-through bag-in/bag-out systems are preferable. While closed-face filters appear to be convenient to use,
proper in-place testing is virtually impossible, so they should not be used whenever the filter will be subjected to in-place
testing. Higher efficiency filters, such as ULPA filters, are available, but they are not as rugged as a nuclear-grade HEPA
filters and they should not be used for nuclear air cleaning. It is noted that AG-1 is supplanting N509 and N510.
D. Radioactive Material Waste Management

1. Piping systems should be designed to minimize connections between
sanitary and laboratory drains.
NUREG 1556 Vol. 7 Appendix L
February 2006
2. To reduce unnecessary exposure, radioactive waste should be stored in

areas separate from work places. However, it is recommended that the
transfer route of radionuclide to waste areas be over as short a distance as
possible.
April 2005
X. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES

WITH IRRADIATORS AND/OR RADIATION-PRODUCING
MACHINES
A. Introduction
Machines irradiators, and high activity non-sealed sources that produce ionizing
radiation are common in research laboratories. These devices can include high-
energy accelerators that require special shielding and control as well as devices that
produce x-rays of such low energy and intensity that minimal shielding and controls is
required. This wide variation in sources makes it difficult to write detailed guidelines
for all radiation sources. It is important to involve the UW Radiation Safety Office
(RSO) or a State of Washington Department of Health (Division of Radiation
Protection) approved “qualified expert” in the processes related to design, installation,
acceptance testing, and operations of all such sources.
The purpose of this chapter is to identify common irradiators, sources, and machines
that produce external ionizing radiation at research facilities and to give general
guidelines regarding the planning, installation, storage and use of these sources. For
details, always refer to the UW RSO or “qualified expert”.
Though these recommendations deal mostly with radiation sources found in research
facilities, most campuses have medical x-ray facilities as well (e.g., hospitals, medical
and dental clinics); therefore, limited comments regarding these facilities have been
included. Typical sources include:
1. Machines:
a) X-ray radiographic and/or irradiation facilities.
b) Accelerator facilities.
c) Analytical x-ray machines (e.g., x-ray diffraction, electron
microscopes).
d) Cabinet radiography units.
e) Accelerators used for radioisotope production.
2. Radioactive Materials:
a) Sealed sources.
b) Irradiators.
c) Moisture/density gauges.
d) High activity non-sealed sources (i.e., sources which can produce
high external radiation exposures, but do not satisfy the requirements to
be considered sealed sources).
B. General Requirements/Considerations:
February 2006
Early in the planning stages when an irradiator or x-ray producing device is planned for
installation in a building, the RSO shall be consulted. There are numerous regulatory
and design requirements that shall be addressed (e.g., registration, licensing and
shielding).
1. The State of Washington Department of Health (DOH), Division of Radiation

Protection, requires registration of x-ray machines. Also, when constructing
or remodeling a room that will house a radiation machine, the registrant shall
notify the DOH prior to the possession of the machine or commencement of
the construction. This includes re-installing a machine in a previously
constructed facility. All machine registrations are recorded through the UW
Radiation Safety Office.
2. Sealed and unsealed sources of radioactive materials shall be licensed by

the appropriate regulatory agency. Licensing is through the State of
Washington DOH, as a representative of the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission. The UW RSO and/or Radiation Safety Committee (RSC)
approve all used of radioactive materials.
3. The shielding design shall be prepared by a “qualified expert” as defined in

“National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Report No. 49
(NCRP 49).” The State of Washington Department of Health Division of
Radiation Protection keeps a list of qualified experts approved to perform this
type of work within the State. Additional requirements for shielding design
and selection of qualified experts is described below in the section on
facilities used for the healing arts.
4. All shielding designs, floor plans, and equipment arrangements, including

final construction drawings, shall be reviewed and approved by the UW RSO
and/or RSC.
C. Basis for Shielding Specifications
1. Facilities shall be designed such that the exposure limits specified in WAC
246-221 for controlled and uncontrolled areas are not exceeded when use
and occupancy factors are taken into account. In addition, Washington
Department of Health requires that shielding shall be designed to limit the
dose equivalent in controlled areas to 10% of the regulatory limits. That is,
500 millirem/year. This requirement is in accordance with the intent of
ALARA (keeping doses “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”).
Washington Administrative Code, and State of Washington DOH Division of Radiation Protection
advisory documents
2. Shielding specified for uncontrolled areas must be based on the current 100
millirem/year regulatory limit. These newer, lower limits must be adhered to
in shielding calculations rather than higher values found in National Council
April 2005
on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP) reports produced prior to

1994. In addition, some of the methodologies and assumptions (e.g.,
radiation attenuation data) have been updated since they were originally
published. Even though there have been changes in some regulations,
methodologies and assumptions, the basic information contained in these
publications is sound and can serve as a basis for conservative shielding
specifications if they are corrected for the current exposure limits.
NCRP 35, 39, 49, and 51
Washington Administrative Code, and State of Washington DOH Division of Radiation Protection
advisory documents
In the following journal articles, new methodologies, assumptions and attenuation data are described
for specifying shielding. It is expected that the concepts and practices proposed in these publications
will be incorporated into a new NCRP publication that will eventually replace NCRP 49:
Dixon, R. L., “On the Primary Barrier in Diagnostic X-Ray Shielding”, Medical Physics(Med. Phys) 21,
1785-1794 (1994)
Dixon, R. L., and Simpkin, D. J., “Primary Barriers for Diagnostic X-Ray Facilities: a New Model”,
Health Phys.(H. Phys) 74, 181-189 (1998)
Simpkin, D. J., “PIN A General Solution to the Shielding of Medical X and Gamma Rays by the NCRP
Report 19 Methods”, H. Phys. 52, 431-436 (1987)
Simpkin, D. J., “Shielding Requirements for Mammography”, H. Phys. 53, 267-269 (1987)
Simpkin, D. J., “Shielding a Spectrum of Workloads in Diagnostic Radiology”, H. Phys. 61, 259-261
(1991)
Simpkin, D. J. “Diagnostic X-Ray Shielding Calculations for Effective Dose Equivalent”, H. Phys. 21,
893 (1994)
Simpkin, D. J., “Transmission Data for Shielding Diagnostic X-Ray Facilities”, H. Phys. (1995)
Simpkin, D. J,. “Evaluation of NCRP Report 49 Assumptions on Workloads and Use Factors in
Diagnostic Radiology Facilities”, Med. Phys. 23(4) (1996)
Simpkin, D. J., “Scatter Radiation About Mammographic Units”, H. Phys. (1996)
Simpkin, D. J., and Dixon, R. L., “Secondary Shielding Barriers for Diagnostic X-Ray Facilities; Scatter
and Leakage Revisited”, H. Phys. 74, 350-365 (1998)
D. Special Considerations
1. In facilities with high-energy radiation sources, walls, shielding and source

components may become radioactive by the process of activation. The
extent and magnitude or the activation is dependent on many factors
including source “energy” and “on time”. In many cases activation occurs but
is not a significant concern since the radioactive materials produced have a
very short half-life. The extent and magnitude of activation should be
evaluated for sources with energies greater than fifteen million electron volts
(MeV). When appropriate such facilities should be designed such that
activation is reduced or activated materials may be removed easily.
Good Practice
2. Exhaust ducts and collectors shall be located and/or shielded such that
personnel exposures along its route of travel and at the collector are ALARA
February 2006
and do not exceed regulatory limits. Collectors shall be equipped with bag-
in/bag-out capability and located such that there is adequate space to change
out collectors without contaminating uncontrolled areas and with minimum
disruption of uncontrolled operations. Since such ducting and associated
collectors are often located in uncontrolled areas occupied by individuals who
are unfamiliar with radiation, even small exposures may be alarming to the
occupants. Therefore, it may be advisable to design shielding in order to
reduce exposures far below regulatory limits or to provide additional training
to the occupants regarding the effects of radiation.
Good Practice
3. Radiation source transport systems (“rabbits”) shall be routed and/or shielded

such that exposure limits are not exceeded in controlled or uncontrolled areas
during routine operations or emergency situations (e.g., stuck sources). To
plan for emergency situations, an accident analysis shall be conducted and
an emergency response plan prepared that will deal with any hazardous
conditions that were identified.
4. For most single-floor facilities with energies less than 200 kVp (kilovoltage
peak), shielding shall be extended from the floor to no less than seven feet
high. In multi-floor/multi-level facilities, shielding walls may need to be higher
than exactly seven feet. For single floor facilities with high-energy sources
that can produce “skyshine,” ceilings may require shielding and the shielding
in walls may need to extend from floor to ceiling. In multi-level facilities,
particular attention must be paid to floor shielding, since the useful radiation
beam is often predominantly pointed downward.
NCRP 49
5. Nails/screws penetrating shielding material are not required to be capped

with lead in walls that require less than four pounds of lead per square foot.
6. For operator protection, source controls shall be located such that no first-
scattered radiation reaches the control area. These controls shall also be
located such that exposures from primary and secondary radiation do not
exceed regulatory limits when use and occupancy factors are taken into
account. The operator shall be allotted 7.5 sq. ft. or more of unobstructed
floor space in control booths to allow ease of movement behind barriers. No
dimension of this space shall be less than 2 ft. An extension of a straight line
drawn between any point on the edge of the booth shielding and the nearest
vertical edge of a cassette holder, corner of the examination table, or any part
of the tube housing assembly shall not impinge on this unobstructed space.
The operator switch must be mounted so that the operator can avoid first-
scattered radiation while energizing the machine. The requirement is for the
switch to be permanently mounted 40 inches inside the protected control
booth. A control booth-viewing window is required and shall have at least
one square foot of viewing area. The viewing window must be equal or
greater in lead equivalence to the shielding installed in the control booth
April 2005
walls.
Good Practice
WAC 246-225-030
7. Shielding required to protect people from radiation is often inadequate to

protect unexposed film or emulsions stored near radiation sources. Shielding
required to protect unexposed film or emulsions stored in areas near radiation
sources shall be evaluated on an individual basis.
Good Practice
8. The structure of the facility shall be designed (evaluated and updated for
renovated facilities) to physically support required shielding (e.g., weight “cold
flow”). It is important to recognize that some shielding materials (e.g., lead)
can “cold flow” with time, particularly for tall and thick sections. It is
necessary to support shielding in a way that will address this problem or to
use an alternative shielding material (e.g., iron or concrete).
9. Some radiation sources and associated shielding are extremely heavy, so the
structure of the facility may need to be specially designed (evaluated and
updated for renovated facilities) to physically support the equipment.
10. Shielding and equipment shall be designed and installed to meet seismic
restraint requirements.
State and local building requirements
11. Hazards associated with moving heavy shields, high voltage, and high
magnetic fields are often present around radiation sources. Often, special
administrative and engineering controls are required to deal with these
hazards safely.
12. Exhaust systems for hazardous materials (e.g., ozone, cryogens, gaseous
activation products) produced or present around radiation sources need to be
designed to maintain exposure levels for hazardous materials below the
respective occupational exposure limits (OEL). Care shall be exercised in
selecting the discharge points for these exhaust systems.
Industrial Ventilation, a Manual of Recommended Practice, latest edition
13. Interlocks are often required on access doors to radiation sources or on

required shielding components that are movable. They disable the production
of radiation if doors are not closed or if shielding is not positioned as required
to provide adequate protection to controlled or uncontrolled areas. Such
interlocks shall be failsafe and tamper resistant.
14. Emergency “Off” (mushroom) switches are typically required in areas where
exposures to individuals could exceed the limits established by the RSO
February 2006
and/or RSC if administrative or engineering controls should fail. Such

switches shall be centrally located and in sufficient number so each potential
user has convenient access.
15. Warning lights, audible signals and signs shall be in compliance with the
requirements in WAC 246-225, 227, 228, and 229. Signage shall be in
compliance with the requirements in WAC 246-221, 225, 227, and 228.
Washington Administrative Code
16. Radiation area monitors are typically required when exposure rates are such
that the exposure of an individual in the area could exceed institutional
administrative controls specified by the UW RSO and/or the RSC.
Washington Administrative Code
UW Radiation Safety Committee
E. Pre-use Considerations
1. The UW RSO or State of Washington Department of Health approved

“qualified expert” shall inspect shielding during construction to assure that it is
installed according to specifications. Deficiencies shall be corrected prior to
operation of the facility. After construction, the attenuation of shielding can
sometimes be verified using a radiation source, however this is not an
optimum method. Attenuation measurements can help determine the overall
effectiveness of shielding, but cannot easily find small voids in the shielding.
2. A radiation survey of adjacent controlled and uncontrolled areas before use of

a radiation source shall be conducted at the discretion of the UW Radiation
Safety Office. The RSO usually finds it necessary to make measurements to
assure that shielding is adequate to meet regulatory exposure limits and/or
limits specified in the shielding design. The radiation survey should be
conducted under conditions that are representative of actual operating
conditions at the facility. Deficiencies shall be corrected prior to operation of
the facility.
F. Facilities/Sources With Special Considerations
1. If a radiation source is totally surrounded by a shielded enclosure with

“failsafe” interlocks on all access doors, no additional shielding is usually
required to prevent or reduce x-ray diffraction. The RSO should be consulted
for details.
2. Special consideration should be given to the storage location for

moisture/density gauges. Storage locations may need to be shielded or in
remote locations where the exposure limits for controlled and uncontrolled
areas are not exceeded. The RSO should be consulted for details.
Adequate security measures for the storage area need to be provided to
April 2005
prevent unauthorized removal.
3. Conventional electron microscopes operating at less than 40 kVp must be

registered with the UW Radiation Safety Office, but may be exempt from
shielding requirements. The RSO should be consulted for details.
G. Considerations For Facilities/Sources Used For the Healing Arts
Some facilities/sources are not covered specifically by these recommendations;

however, most of the “General Requirements/Considerations” apply, as do additional
requirements. It is important to remember that all facilities with radioactive materials
and/or machines shall be reviewed and approved by the UW Radiation Safety Officer
and/or Radiation Safety Committee prior to installation/operation. Due to the many
safety and regulatory aspects related to the design, installation, commissioning and
operation of such facilities, early involvement of the facility RSO is advisable.
Unanticipated corrective actions can result in unpleasant, unnecessary, costly delays.
1. Clinical and Veterinary facilities/sources are as follows:

a) Diagnostic Medical: Radiographic (e.g., fixed, portable,
mammography), Fluoroscopic (e.g., fixed, portable), Cine, CT, Bone
density, Nuclear medicine imaging, PET imaging
b) Diagnostic Dental: (Radiographic, Cephalometric, Panoramic, CT)
c) Therapy: (Accelerators, Brachytherapy sources, HDR, Gamma
Knife, Ortho-voltage units, Grenz rays, Intravascular brachytherapy
devices)
Some important considerations for facilities/sources used for the healing arts are as
follows:
2. Clinical Facilities shall include:

a) Equipment for human use which meets FDA requirements
b) Equipment, all of which has been checked for compliance with
regulatory requirements prior to commissioning for use on patients.
Equipment at JCAHO-accredited facilities shall be commissioned by a
qualified expert prior to use.
c) Facilities and/or equipment, which provide the operator with the
ability to communicate with and view the patient continuously from an
area protected from primary, secondary and first-scatter radiation (i.e., a
controlled area) when patients are being exposed/irradiated.
Exceptions to this general rule are operators of portable diagnostic x-
ray equipment used at non-fixed locations, and most nuclear medicine
imaging equipment. For most of these exceptions, the operator shall be
at least six feet from the source of radiation and out of the primary
beam.
3. Before construction, the floor plans and equipment arrangement of medical

February 2006
installations utilizing x-rays for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes shall be

submitted to a “qualified expert” for shielding design plan review. The
“qualified expert” shall be approved by the State of Washington DOH Division
of Radiation Protection and shall adhere to shielding methodologies in the
“National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Report No. 49”
(NCRP 49), or equivalent. Completed shielding designs shall be submitted to
the DOH for subsequent “plan review”. Diagnostic veterinary, podiatric, and
dental facilities are exempt from plan review by the DOH. A copy of the DOH
submittal and any approval documents or other communication from/to the
DOH must also be forwarded to the UW RSO.
Washington Administrative Code 246-225
4. For dental radiographic facilities, the ordinary walls in a building (two layers of
5/8 inch drywall) often provide adequate shielding to protect surrounding
areas. It should be noted that one of the common layouts for dental
equipment puts the head of the dental chair adjacent to central work or
patient areas. Unless modified, this common layout can result in the
unacceptable practice of exposing the central work or patient areas to
unshielded primary radiation. For general stationary dental intraoral
equipment, the control switch shall be permanently mounted in a protected
area no less than 36 inches from access to the direct scatter radiation field.
Because of the many variables involved, the UW RSO or designee shall
evaluate the shielding in each dental x-ray room.
JCAHO recommendations
5. The UW RSO or designee shall evaluate the shielding (design and testing)
for each veterinary radiographic facility or room.
NOTE: Operator control booths are not always required for these facilities.
6. Provisions should be made for storage of leaded aprons in medical

fluoroscopic and cine facilities.
Good Practice
7. Medical bone density units seldom require operator control booths or

additional shielding. However, the UW RSO or designee should evaluate
each unit.
Good Practice
8. Each control booth shall have at least one viewing device so the operator can
view the patient during exposure, and have a full view of entries into the room
when using medical diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. If electronic
viewing equipment is used, an alternate viewing system shall be available as
a backup in the case of electronic failure.
April 2005
XI. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES

USING NON-IONIZING RADIATION SOURCES,
INCLUDING LASERS
A. Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) Safety Basic Requirements

1. Laboratories using non-ionizing radiation sources (such as: lasers, ultraviolet
lights, and large magnets) should be designed to minimize radiation exposure
to personnel and the environment.
Good Practice
ANSI Z136.1-2000 Section 4.1
ANSI C95.1-1999 Section 4.1
2. Laboratory designs shall utilize appropriate engineering and administrative

controls to prevent radiation exposure in excess of the applicable regulations,
standards, and guidelines.
Good Practice
3. Laboratory designs should be forwarded to the UW Radiation Safety Office

(RSO) for NIR safety review and approval prior to being released for bid or
beginning construction (for internal projects that are not put up for bid).
Good Practice
B. Controlling Access to Laser Areas
1. Doors providing access to spaces containing open-beam Class 4 lasers shall

be fitted with interlocks to prevent emission from the lasers if the door is
opened or to deny outside-to-inside entry during laser emission. Design of
interlocks should favor the use of shutters or laser beam dumps to limit
emission. Laser power supply shutoffs should not be used except where no
other alternative exists. In certain situations (such as medical or surgical
applications), interlocks may not be feasible or appropriate. For these
applications, the EH&S RSO should be consulted regarding approval for
alternatives to interlocks.
ANSI Z136.1-2000 Section 4.3.10.2.2
A laboratory containing a number of lasers and/or interlocked optical benches or beam paths may require a programmable
logic controller to coordinate interlock functions and warning annunciations at the entrances.
2. All doors to Class 3b and Class 4 laser areas shall have ANSI Z136.1 (2000)
February 2006
specification laser warning signs. Signs should be mounted so as to be

visible both at the doorway and at some distance from the doorway. Signs
should not be mounted above doorways. Lighted laser warning signs (or
status) panels that indicate the room access status) shall be used for Class
lasers and are suggested for class 3b lasers.
Good Practice
ANSI Z136.1-2000 Section 4.3.9.4.2
Electronic displays may be preferable for conspicuousness and/or to relate instructions for laboratories with complex laser
setups. Electronic displays may be simple with on-off switch controls or highly complex with enunciators for systems
interfacing laser-, room access-, and beam-enclosure interlocks. Modern LED displays and programmable logic controllers
(PLC’s) can display access status and specify laser eyewear/PPE requirements. Electronic displays may also be used in
addition to conventional warning signs.
3. Partitions, dogleg entrances or other provisions shall be made to allow

persons to don laser protective eyewear and other required PPE before
entering spaces where beam hazards exist or could exist. Preferably, this
provision should be made before the entry to the laboratory.
Good Practice
Laser eyewear is vulnerable to physical damage and expensive, so provisions should be made for proper storage to prevent
scratching or other damage.
4. Appropriate barriers shall be provided to prevent Class 3b or 4 laser beams

from leaving the confines of a laser laboratory through doorways, windows,
etc.
ANSI Z136.1-2000 Section 4.3.6.1 and 4.3.6.2
Z136.1 recommends barriers for Class 3b lasers and mandates barriers for Class 4 lasers. Laser laboratories could be set up
in rooms with windows but should not be set up in a space with operable windows. Windows need to be covered with
appropriate materials (opaque at the laser wavelength and compatible with the beam energy) to prevent beams from
escaping. A simple metal plate with a diffusely reflective finish at the laser wavelength is adequate.
C. Beam Path Management

1. Provisions shall be made to enclose Class 3b or 4 laser beams whenever
possible. Class 3b or 4 laser beam paths that cross between optical
tables/equipment benches or pass through barriers shall be properly
enclosed and marked identifying the hazard. All enclosures shall be
compatible with the laser wavelength and beam power. All laser beam paths
shall be maintained at a height either above or below the eye level of
standing/sitting persons who may be exposed.
Good Practice
ANSI Z136.1-2000 Section 4.3.6.1, 4.3.6.2, and 4.3.6.3
2. Laser enclosures, beam stops, beam barriers and other exposed surfaces
shall be diffusely reflective at the laser wavelength used. Surfaces that may
create a specular reflection at the laser wavelength shall not be used.
Good Practice
D. Fire Safety for Lasers

April 2005
1. Flammable/combustible construction materials shall be avoided in spaces

housing Class 4 lasers. Materials used for beam stops or beam barriers shall
not off-gas or be combustible at the beam power used. Curtains used as
laser barriers shall not off-gas and shall be flame-retardant or, preferably,
flameproof or laser-rated.
ANSI Z136.1-2000 Section 4.3.8
NFPA 115 Section 4, 6
NFPA 115 advises that laser beams with irradiances above 2 Wlcm2 be regarded as fire hazards.
2. Provisions shall be made for the safe storage of laser dye solutions, solvents,
and other flammable materials.
NFPA 115 Section 9
E. Electrical Safety for Lasers
1. Appropriate grounding connections shall be provided for laser power supplies

and other electrical components. All optical tables shall be properly
grounded. To facilitate use, all grounding connections should be properly
marked.
Good Practice
2. Electrical systems shall be marked to show voltage, frequency, and power

output. All high voltage sources shall be properly marked and secured to
prevent accidental access.
Good Practice
Many laser systems use banks of high-voltage capacitors. Access to these banks should be carefully marked and controlled,
and provisions shall be made to properly maintain grounding and “bleed” charge during maintenance.
F. Class 4 Laser Laboratories
1. Red mushroom-type room/area emergency shutoffs (to deactivate or reduce

laser power below the Maximum Permissible Exposure, or MPE) shall be
installed in a conspicuous location that is easily accessible from the
laboratory entrances. The switch shall be clearly and conspicuously marked
with the words “Notice – In emergency, push button to shut down laser”.
ANSI Z136.1-2000 Section 4.3.10.2.1
NFPA 115 Section 6-5.1
2. All laser laboratories shall be provided with easy egress. Crash-bar hardware
can be used on outward-swinging doors.
Good Practice
G. Optical Bench Safety

February 2006
Optical benches shall be secured to prevent severe movements in an earthquake.

This requires anchoring a sturdy frame to the laboratory floor that surrounds and is
close to (within one-half inch), but not touching, the optical bench.
Good Practice
H. Excimer Lasers
1. Halogen gas mixtures shall normally be stored in gas storage cabinets. All
transfer lines and components in contact with halogens shall be of compatible
(non-reactive) materials. Institutional toxic gas program requirements will
designate the specific storage quantities allowed (depending on toxicity and
other factors).
NFPA 115 Section 8
Conventional gas storage cabinets will effectively contain the dilute halogen and hydrogen halide in inert gas mixtures used
in excimer lasers if the delivery lines are kept bone-dry. Gas storage cabinet hardware allows this to be done using bone-dry
nitrogen purge gas.
2. The gas discharge from both the excimer laser and the associated halogen
gas storage cabinet shall be connected to an appropriate exhaust ventilation
system capable of maintaining an average face velocity of 200 fpm at the
cabinet’s window opening when the window is fully opened. An alarming
airflow meter should be used to monitor and indicate low-flow conditions in
the gas cabinet.
NFPA 115 Section 8
3. Halogen scrubber devices used on closed (non-ventilated) excimer laser

systems shall meet appropriate safety standards and shall be pre-approved
by the UW RSO prior to installation.
NFPA 115 Section 8
I. Laser-Generated Air Contaminants (LGAC)
Lens on laser conditions (or any place where the beam irradiance exceeds 1000
watts/cm2) should be jointly evaluated by an Industrial Hygienist and Health Physicist
to identify engineering controls for laser generated air contaminants. Places where
irradiances exceed 10,000 watts/cm2 shall be enclosed to the maximum extent
practical and properly ventilated. Exposure to LGAC shall not be managed with the
use of PPE.
ANSI Z 136.1 states that from 10 3 to 107 watts/cm2 contaminants MAY exist and could be air-monitored. Above 107
watts/cm2 contaminants CAN exist. Organic materials, including polymers and tissue, will produce plumes containing
potentially carcinogenic materials. Polymers will pyrolyze to form toxic gases. Metals and inorganic materials will form
fume clouds. These can be treated as common hot gas air contaminant sources in accordance with ACGIH and ASHRAE
criteria. The interiors of the enclosures should be easy to clean/decontaminate. The usefulness of HEPA filtration of the
effluent shall also be evaluated when irradiances exceed 10,000 watts/cm2.
April 2005
J. Radio Frequency and Microwave Devices (30 kHz to 300 GHz)

1. Provisions shall be made to protect people from exposures at or above the
Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits. Engineering controls shall be
used in lieu of PPE or other administrative controls whenever possible.
Shielding shall be designed by or be reviewed by an electronic engineer
experienced in radio frequency/microwave design.

Engineering controls, such as shielding and locked doors, are preferred over impromptu measures such as stanchions and
portable signs or beacons. Because time limit controls are framed in six-minute intervals, limiting exposure duration is
impractical in most cases.
2. Provisions shall be made to restrict access and post appropriate warnings for
locations where field strengths could exceed the MPE. Appropriate ANSI
specification warning signs shall be provided to identify such areas. Signs
should be mounted so as to be visible both at the doorway and at some
distance from the doorway. Signs should not be mounted above doorways.
ANSI C95.1-1999 Section 4.1.1, 4.1.2
ACGIH-TLV/BEI
3. To prevent exposures exceeding the MPE for radio frequency electrical

currents, barriers and/or cages shall be provided to protect persons from
contact with or close proximity to such currents. These provisions shall be
designed or reviewed by an Electronic Engineer experienced in radio
frequency/microwave design.
ACGIH-TLV/BEI
For radio frequency electric current flow limits, the ICNIRP current flow MPE is more restrictive and should be applied.
Radio frequency current flow can begin when two conductors are separated by about a foot because of electric field
interactions (capacitative coupling), so insulation by itself may not be sufficient. Increased separation distances may be
needed in such cases.
K. Sub-radiofrequency Fields (<30 kHZ)

Magnetic Fields: Overexposures at these frequencies are very unlikely. The most
likely situation will entail a frequency of 60Hz. The exposure limit for 60 Hz is 0.2 mT
(2 G or 160 A/m). This is a partial and whole body ceiling limit, although limbs can
receive 5 times this amount, and hands and feet 10 times.
Electric Fields: Overexposures are unlikely if electric sources are insulated and
grounded. The exposure limits vary according to the frequency range. For a 60 Hz
filed, the limit is 25 kV/m. However, the worst-case situation would be at 30 kHz,
where the limit is 625 V/m.
There are a few types of cardiac pacemaker that are very sensitive. Some models are
susceptible to interference by a power-frequency (50/60 Hz) as low as 2 kV/m. It is
recommended, therefore, lacking specific information that exposure to pacemaker
wearers be maintained at or below 1 kV/m.
February 2006
ACGIH – TLV/BEI
Overexposures are extremely unlikely because the exposure limits so high that few people (except for utility workers)
encounter such fields. The carcinogenicity of power frequency fields is unproven, so no guidance is given concerning this
issue.
L. Static (Zero Hz) Magnetic Fields

1. As part of the design process, the magnetic field in the facility shall be
mathematically modeled to identify where pacemaker hazards (>5 G) and
kinetic energy hazards (>30 G) exist. Places where excessive whole-body
exposures (>600 G) could occur shall also be identified. If it is determined
that shielding is required, an experienced consulting firm should be hired to
design all electric or magnetic field shielding.
ACGIH – TLV/BEI
ICNIRP “Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to Static Magnetic Fields”
2. Provisions shall be made to prevent access to places where whole-body

magnetic fields exceed 600 G. Areas such as hallways, stairways, and
offices shall be located where fields are <5 G to allow completely unrestricted
access.
ACGIH – TLV/BEI
The University of Washington enforces ACGIH TLV guidelines for static magnetic fields, which is somewhat more
restrictive than ICNIRP.
3. Provisions shall be made to secure and restrict access to places where

whole-body fields exceed 5 G. This is based solely on the possible effect that
5 gauss fields can have on some pacemakers.
ACGIH – TLV/BEI
A variety of prosthetic devices, medical equipment, makeup, and personal articles can also behave in a hazardous manner in
stronger fields.
4. Appropriate ANSI Z535 specification warning signs shall be provided to

identify such areas. Signs should be mounted so as to be visible both at the
doorway and at some distance from the doorway. Signs should not be
mounted above doorways.
5. Provisions should be made for persons to securely store their wallets,

magnetic media, keys, and other ferrous-alloy tools and articles for
safekeeping before entering places where fields exceed 5 G.
ACGIH – TLV/BEI
ICNIRP “Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to Static Magnetic Fields”
Engineered access controls, such as locked doors, are preferred over stanchions and portable signs. Ferromagnetic objects
can become projectiles at 10 G. Kinetic energy hazards from even small ferrous items, such as razor blades, can cause
serious injuries. Larger items, such as wrenches, could kill or cause major equipment damage. Magnetic storage media,
such as credit cards, and some analog watches can also be damaged at 10 G.
6. Appropriate discharge shall be made to direct cryogenic gases from a

quenched superconducting magnet to a safe, unoccupied location to avoid
April 2005
exposing persons to an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. The issue of

preventing oxygen deficiency during a quench condition shall be addressed in
the design of locations for superconducting magnets. Doors to locations that
may be subjected to gases during a quench shall open outwards to assure
they can be opened should the laboratory become pressurized.
It is estimated that eighty liters of liquid helium (56,000 liters of gas at the 1:700 expansion ratio) can be ejected from the
magnet dewar in fifteen to thirty seconds.
M. Ultraviolet Radiation
1. Provisions shall be made to protect people from exposures at or above the
Maximum Permissible Exposure Levels (MPE) defined for Actinic UV
Radiation Effective Irradiances. Engineering controls may be used in place of
PPE or other administrative controls but are not required. Proper UW rated
plastics, glass and/or shielding design should be evaluated by the Radiation
Safety Office.
ACGIH TLV/BEI
Engineering controls such as automatic shut off switches and locked doors provide superior protection over measures such
as signage. Time limits for exposure are based on a person not using proper PPE.
2. Provision should be made to restrict access and post appropriate warnings

for location where irradiance could exceed the MPE. Appropriate warning or
caution signs shall be provided to identify such areas. Signs should be
mounted so as to be visible both at the doorway and at some distance from
the doorway. Signs shall be placed on the UV source if the source is portable
or moveable. Signs should not be mounted above the doorway.
ACGIH TLV & BEI
3. To prevent exposures exceeding the MPE for Ultraviolet Radiation, care

should be taken to ensure that all glass, windows, or visible access to the
area is covered with UV rated material for the wavelength of the UV source.
These materials should be reviewed by the RSO prior to installation.
ACGIH TLV & BEI
4. All overhead UV uses for germicidal purposes should be reviewed by the

RSO prior to construction. Many portable and pre-constructed devices exist
that would meet or exceed most requirements for overhead UV.
5. UV used for sterilization of water or other materials or solutions should be

properly shielded. Devices of this type can put out significant amounts of UV
above the MPEs and should be reviewed by the RSO prior to permanent
installation.
February 2006
XII. APPENDIX A:
Additional Fume Hood Exhaust Criteria for Facilities Not

Owned By the University of Washington.
A. Fume Hood Exhaust System (FHES)
1. Provide FHES fans with the following:

a) Outboard “split” bearings
b) Shaft Seal
c) An access door
d) Multiple 150 percent rated belts, or direct drive. In designing for
explosion and fire control, the fan shall be of the non-sparking
construction and the V-belt drive shall be non –conductive.
2. Provide a chemical resistant fan system.
3. Weld or permanently seal fan housing to avoid air leakage from the wheel
shaft and discharge.
4. Choose fan type as follows:
a) Use straight-radial fan for systems handling moderate to heavy
quantities of particulate matter in air.
b) Use backward-curved fans for systems handling relatively clean
(low particulate) air.
c) Provide perchloric acid hoods with a separate tainless steel
bifurcated straight flow-through with motor outside the air stream of the
fume exhaust fan and completely independent from any other exhaust.
5. Manifold fume exhaust systems shall use constant volume fans with make-up
air/outside air bypass.
6. Mount the fan with vibration isolators.
7. Provide weather protected fans installed near the building roof. Fan
installation in naturally ventilated penthouses is preferred. The fan shall be
the last element of the system to assure that the ductwork throughout the
building is under negative pressure.
8. Provide a drain to the acid resistant waste for FHES fans located in a
penthouse.
9. Fans shall be installed so that they are readily accessible for maintenance
and inspection without entering the plenum. If exhaust fans are located
inside a penthouse, the ventilation needs of maintenance workers shall be
considered.
10. Provide ducts that are round, non-combustible, inert to agents to be used,
non-absorbent, and free of ay organic impregnation.
11. Choose duct material based on the compatibility with the materials handled in
April 2005
the hood. Basic characteristics of preferred hood and duct materials are as
follows:
a) Provide new installations to be round 18 gauge minimum thickness
Type 316L stainless steel. Exceptions: Use 16 gauge stainless steel
for perchloric hood systems.
b) Use fiberglass reinforced plastic or material with similar acid
resistant material for acid digestion systems. However, A/E must
confirm design acceptability with both the University Fire Engineer and
the local fire authority having jurisdiction prior to Design Development
Phase.
c) Leave glazed ceramic ducts and vitrified clay tile ducts in place if
possible.
12. Exhaust duct must have liquid and airtight joints with smooth interior surfaces
free of cracks, joints, or ledges.
13. Provide smooth, non-porous lining surfaces free of cracks, joints, or ledges.
14. Use flexible connection sections of duct, such as hypolon or neoprene-coated
glass fiber cloth, between the fan and its intake duct if compatible with
chemicals used in hood. Provide the transition joint from duct to fan of a
seamless, constant diameter, inert, corrosion and UV-resistant materials as
approved by owner. Provide the duct alignment within ½ inch at the hood
collar and fan.
15. Continuously "butt" weld (use appropriate filler rod for type of stainless) for
stainless steel joint construction. Provide a weld sample for A/E and UW
inspection. A VanStone flange can be used if the quality of the weld may be
compromised because of inaccessibility to the area.
16. Install two Petes plugs made of non-corrosive material in the exhaust duct at
90˚ to each other around the circumference for the purpose of pitot tube
insertion.
17. Enclose the VAV modulating damper in a “removable spool assembly”
located in the mechanical room. Variable frequency fan drives with static
pressure sensors are also acceptable in some installations.
18. Provide a flanged removable spool piece (minimum of 24 inches long) at
each fume hood connection. Use spool sections for leak tests, inspection,
and to facilitate removal of equipment. Install acceptable gaskets at flanged
joint connections.
19. All horizontal ducting shall be sloped down towards the fume hood (a
recommended guideline is that the slope should equal to 1/8 inch per foot).
20. Automatic fire dampers shall not be used in laboratory hood exhaust
systems. Fire detection and alarm systems shall not be interlocked to
automatically shut down laboratory hood exhaust fans.
21. Exhaust fans serving chemical fume hoods should be connected to
emergency standby power. The ventilation system shall supply and exhaust
at least half of the normal airflow during an electrical power failure. The
design must also account for pressure differentials resulting from this
condition with regard to egress from the laboratory and building.
February 2006
22. Provide adequate space and easy access to facilitate inspection, repair, or
replacement of exhaust ducts.
23. Provide perchloric acid FHES with a dedicated fan and duct and wash-down
system that meets the following requirements.
a) Design to provide as complete a wash down as possible with all
duct at 45˚ or less from vertical.
b) Provide fan casings and hood bottoms with continuous gravity
drainage to the sanitary sewer.
c) Design wash down to be activated by a manual valve located at the
fume hood.
d) Prior to acceptance, testing of the wash down system must be
witnessed and approved by appropriate University representatives.
24. The target design velocity in each duct shall be in the range of 1200 to 1500
fpm to prevent condensed fumes or particulate from adhering to the walls of
the ducts or settling out onto horizontal surfaces and to address acoustical
issues. The actual value needs to consider noise and prevention of product
deposition in the ducts.
25. To overcome aesthetic objection, design the exhaust stacks in the conceptual
stage by incorporating an exhaust tower or a cluster of exhaust stacks as an
architectural element of the building.
26. Fume hood exhaust through roofs should have vertical stacks that terminate
at least ten feet above the roof or two feet above the top of any parapet wall,
whichever is greater, unless higher stacks are found to be necessary
according to “The ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals” or based on
modeling.
27. Design the discharge velocity from the stack to be at least 3000 feet per
minute.
28. Do not provide exhaust stacks with weather protection, such as rain caps,
bird screens and goosenecks, which require the air to change direction or
cause turbulence upon discharge.
B. Fume Hood Exhaust System Testing
1. Test FHES duct as follows:

a) Connect a blower to the duct specimen through a shutoff valve.
Provide a magnehelic gauge or inclined manometer with 0 to 10 inch
W.G. range on the duct side of the shutoff valve.
b) Provide temporary seals at all open ends of the duct.
c) Average test pressure shall be 6 inches W.G. Initial pressure shall
be 7 inches W.G.
d) All fume duct joints from the fume hood collar to the fan inlet flex
connection, not inclusive, shall be tested.
e) To prevent over-pressurizing the ducts, start the blower with the
variable inlet damper closed. Controlling pressure carefully, pressurize
April 2005
the duct section to the required level. When the pressure of the duct
reaches 7 inches W.G., close the shutoff valve.
f) Using a stopwatch, measure the time elapsed from when the duct is
at 7 inches W.G. to 5 inches W.G. Use the formula t=6.23D to
determine if the duct passes the test. (“D” is the nominal duct diameter,
measured in inches; “t” is the MINIMUM allowable elapsed time,
measured in seconds.)
g) If the test fails to meet the allowable rate, make necessary repairs
and retest until satisfactory results are obtained. Contact the Owner’s
Representative to witness the test.
h) Complete test reports.
i) Comply with precautions listed in the current SMACNA HVAC Air
Duct Leakage Test Manual.
February 2006
XIII. APPENDIX B: DEFINITIONS
ABSL Animal Biosafety Laboratory
ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
ACM asbestos-containing materials
A/E Architectural/Engineering design team
Aerosols Colloids of liquid or solid particles suspended in gas.
SBC Seattle Building Code
AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association
ALARA As Low As Reasonably Achievable
AOP Air Operating Permit
ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers,

Inc.
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Biohazardous Materials - Infectious agents, the products of infectious agents, or the

components of infectious agents presenting a real or potential risk of injury or
illness.
Biosafety Cabinet - A ventilated cabinet, which serves as a primary containment device for
operations involving biohazard materials. The three classes of biosafety
cabinets are described below:
y Class I Biosafety Cabinet - An open-fronted, negative-pressured,

ventilated cabinet with a minimum inward face velocity at the work
opening of at least seventy-five feet per minute. The exhaust air from
the cabinet is filtered by a HEPA filter.
y Class II Biosafety Cabinet - An open-fronted, ventilated cabinet.

Exhaust air is filtered with a HEPA filter. This cabinet provides HEPA-
filtered downward airflow within the workspace. Class II cabinets are
further classified as type A, type B1, type B2, and type B3.
¾ Class II, Type A Cabinets - May have positive-pressure

contaminated internal ducts and may exhaust HEPA-filtered air back
into the laboratory. 70% of the cabinet air is recirculated and 30% is
exhausted.
¾ Class II, Type B1 Cabinets - Exhaust HEPA-filtered air through
external ducts to space outside the laboratory, and have HEPA-
April 2005
filtered downflow air drawn in from the laboratory or outside air.

30% of the cabinet air is recirculated and 70% is externally vented.
¾ Class II, Type B2 Cabinets - Exhaust HEPA-filtered air through
external ducts to space outside the laboratory, and have HEPA-
filtered downflow air drawn in from the laboratory or outside air.
100% of the cabinet air is externally vented without recirculation.
¾ Class II, Type B3 Cabinets - Have positive-pressure ducts or
plenums surrounded by negative-pressure plenums, exhaust HEPA-
filtered air through external ducts to space outside the laboratory,
and have HEPA-filtered downflow air that is a portion of the mixed
downflow air and inflow air from a common exhaust plenum. 70% of
the cabinet air is recirculated and 30% is externally vented.
y Class III Biosafety Cabinet - A totally enclosed, negative-pressure,
ventilated cabinet of gas-tight construction. Operations within the Class
III cabinet are conducted through protective gloves. Supply air is drawn
into the cabinet through HEPA filters. Exhaust air is filtered by two
HEPA filters placed in series or by HEPA filtration and incineration, and
discharged to the outdoor environment without recirculation.
y Biosafety Level - Biosafety levels consist of laboratory practices and

techniques, safety equipment, a laboratory facility appropriate for the
operations performed, and the hazard posed by the particular biohazard
material. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National
Institute of Health (NIH) define the four biosafety levels in the
publication, “Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories”,
and recommend biosafety levels for particular pathogenic
microorganisms.
Boiling Point The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals the
surrounding atmospheric pressure. For purposes of defining the boiling point,
atmospheric pressure shall be considered to be 14.7 psia* (760 mmHg)
BSC Biological safety cabinet
BSL Biosafety Laboratory
BSO Biosafety Officer
CDC Centers for Disease Control
CFC chloro-fluorocarbon
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
cfm cubic feet per minute

February 2006
Compressed Gas
1. A gas or mixture of gases having an absolute pressure exceeding forty psi at

70°F (21°C) in a container, or
2. A gas or mixture of gases having an absolute pressure exceeding 104 psi in a

container at 130°F (54°C), regardless of the pressure at 70°F (21°C), or
3. both 1) and 2) or
4. A liquid having a vapor pressure exceeding forty psi at 100°F (38°C) as

determined by UFC Standard No. 9-5.
CT Computerized Tomography
Containment The combination of personal practices, procedures, safety equipment,

laboratory design, and engineering features to minimize the exposure of
workers to hazardous or potentially hazardous agents.
Cryogenic Fluids(“cryogens”) - Elements and compounds that vaporize at temperatures

well below room temperature. Most common cryogens have a normal boiling
point well below approximately 120°K. Helium-4 (4.2°K), hydrogen (20°K),
nitrogen (77°K), oxygen (90°K), and methane(112°K) [normal boiling point
temperatures in parentheses] are examples of cryogens.
DCLU Department of Design, Construction, and Land Use
DDC Direct Digital Control
Decontamination - Removal or destruction of infectious agents; removal or neutralization of

toxic agents.
DEXA Dual Energy X-Ray Absorption
DEA Drug Enforcement Administration
DHHS Department of Health and Human Services
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
DOP dioctylphthalate
DOE United States Department of Energy
DOH State of Washington Department of Health, Division of Radiation Protection
EH&S Environmental Health and Safety
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FDA Food and Drug Administration

April 2005
Flammable or Combustible Liquids (definitions from NFPA 30, Chapter 1-7)
y Flammable Liquid - Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point below
100°F (37.8°C).
Class I Liquid - Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point below 100°F (37.8°C) and a
Reid vapor pressure not exceeding forty psia at 100°F (37.8°C).
y Class IA Liquids - Includes those liquids that have flash points below
73°F (22.8°C) and boiling points below 100°F (37.8°C).
y Class IB Liquids - Includes those liquids that have flash points below
73°F (22.8°C) and boiling points at or above 100°F (37.8°C).
y Class IC Liquids - Includes those liquids that have flash points at or

above 73°F (22.8°C) but below 100°F (37.8°C).
y Combustible Liquid - Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point at or

above 100°F (37.8°C).
Class II Liquid - Any liquid that has a flash point at or above 100°F
(37.8°C) and below 140°F (60°C).
Class IIIA Liquid - Any liquid that has a flash point at or above 140°F
(60°C) but below 200°F (93°C).
Class IIIB Liquid - Any liquid that has a flash point at or above 200°F
(93°C).
Flammable Anesthetic Gas
Compressed-gas, which is flammable and administered as an anesthetic
cyclopropane, divinyl ether, ethyl chloride, ethyl ether and ethylene.
Flash Point: The minimum temperature of a liquid at which sufficient vapor is given off to
form an ignitable mixture with air, near the surface of the liquid or within the
vessel used.
fpm feet per minute
Fume Hood A device enclosed on three sides, as well as the top and bottom, with an
adjustable sash or fixed partial enclosure on the remaining side. They are
designed, constructed and maintained so as to draw air inward by means of
mechanical ventilation, and so that any operation involving hazardous
materials within the enclosure does not require the insertion of any portion of
a person’s body other than the hands and arms into the work area.
NOTE: Laboratory fume hoods prevent toxic, flammable, or noxious vapors

from entering the laboratory, present a physical barrier from chemical
reactions, and serve to contain accidental spills.
GFCI ground fault circuit interceptor
GFI ground fault interceptor

February 2006
HCFC hydro-chloro-fluorocarbon
HDR high dose rate radiotherapy
HEPA high-efficiency particulate air
HMIS Hazardous Material Inventory Statement
HIV/HBV Research Facility - A laboratory that produces or uses research-laboratory scale

amounts of HIV or HBV but not in the volume found in production facilities.
HOA Hand Off Auto
IAQ Indoor Air Quality
IARC International Agency of Research on Cancer
ICBO International Council of Building Officials
ICNIRP International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
JCAHO Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations
kVp kilovoltage peak
Laser Hazard Class - The relative hazard of a given laser or laser system as specified in
the ANSI Z136.1 Standard. Current laser classes are 1, 2, 3a, 3b, and 4.
Generally, only Class 3b and 4 lasers present hazards sufficient to require
specialty laboratory designs.
LC or LC50 lethal concentration
LD or LD50 lethal dose
LED Light-emitting diode
lfm linear feet per minute
LGAC Laser-Generated Air Contaminant
Local Exhaust Ventilation - Exhaust applied close to a source of air contaminants to

prevent the migration of those contaminants into the breathing zones of
people. It is often used to control exposures to hazardous chemicals when an
apparatus is not appropriate for placement in a fume hood. These
applications shall be evaluated by EH&S for exposure control and possible
impacts on other ventilation systems.
LSO Laser Safety Officer
Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) - The level of any radiation to which a person may
be exposed without hazardous effect or adverse biological changes in the
organ(s) of concern. The MPE is normally expressed at a specific
April 2005
energy/frequency /wavelength and defined exposure duration.
MeV million electron volts
Microwave Radiation - That portion of radio frequency energy consisting of radiation with
frequencies between 300 gHz and 300 mHz.
NCRP National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
NIH National Institute of Health
NIOSH National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
NIR Non-ionizing radiation
NMR nuclear magnetic resonance
NOC Notice of Construction
Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) - All electromagnetic radiation with photon energy less than
12.4 eV (>100 nm wavelength) and electric or magnetic fields. Examples are:
lasers, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), microwave devices, radio-
frequency devices, high-intensity ultra violet(UV) and infrared sources, and
high-powered magnets. It is usually assumed that energy at frequencies
below 300 mHz exists as discrete electric and magnetic fields rather than as
electromagnetic radiation.
NSF National Sanitation Foundation
NTP National Toxicology Program
NUREG Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulations
OEL occupational exposure limits
Operational Volumetric Flow Rate - The volumetric flow rate of supply air ventilation
delivered to meet the minimum airflow requirements of a laboratory space for
the comfort of the typical number of occupants plus sufficient volume to
maintain negative pressurization of the space. The exhaust volumetric flow
rate will be variable in laboratories equipped with variable air volume (VAV)
hoods.
Optical Radiation - Any radiation with a wavelength between 100 nm and 1 mm. Lasers
normally fall into this area.
OSHA United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PCB poly-chlorobenzodiazepene
PE Professional Engineer
February 2006
PEL Permissible Exposure Limit
PET Positron Emission Tomography
PLC programmable logic controllers
PMRDES Project Manager's Reference Document for Environmental Stewardship
Power Frequency Field - Any field with a frequency between 3 kHz and 1 Hz.
PPE Personal Protection Equipment
Pressure Vessel A storage tank vessel that has been designed to operate at pressures
above fifteen psig.
RSC Radiation Safety Committee
RSO Radiation Safety Office, Radiation Safety Officer
Radio Frequency Energy (Radiation) - Any energy with a frequency between 300 gHz and
30 kHz. For the purpose of interpreting standards, any energy with
frequencies between 3 kHz and 300 gHz.
Safety Showers and Eyewashes:
y Emergency Shower or Deluge Shower: A unit consisting of a shower

head controlled by a stay-open valve that enables a user to have water
cascading over the entire body.
y Eyewash: A device used to irrigate and flush the eyes.
y Combination Unit: An interconnected assembly of an eyewash and

safety shower, supplied by a single plumbed source.
SBC Seattle Building Code
SEPA State Environmental Policy Act
SFC Seattle Fire Code
SFD Seattle Fire Department
SMC Seattle Mechanical Code
Static Magnetic Fields - Direct current (zero Hz) magnetic fields. Magnetic flux density
(often called magnetic field strength) is expressed in A/m, Gauss(G), or
Tesla(T). The units are related as 1 A/m = 12.6 mG = 1.26 nT.
TA Teaching Assistant
Tepid Water Water which is moderately warm or lukewarm.

April 2005
Threshold Limit Value/Ceiling(TLV-C) - The exposure limit that should not be exceeded,
even for an instant.
Threshold Limit Value/Time-weighted Average (TLV-TWA) - The time weighted average

exposure allowed for an eight-hour workday and forty-hour workweek.
TLV Threshold limit value
TLV/BEI Threshold limit value Biological Exposure Index
Toxic Material - Classes of toxicity include Acutely and Chronically Toxic. Included within
the class of materials that exhibit chronic toxicity but still may present
exceptional risk with a single exposure are carcinogens, mutagens, and
teratogens.
y Acutely Toxic Material - A material for which the lethal exposure levels
fall within the ranges below:
Acute Toxicity Hazard Level

Inhalation LC50 Inhalation LC50
Hazard Toxicity Oral LD50 Skin Contact LD50 (Rats, ppm (Rats, mg/m3
Level Rating (Rats, per kg) (Rabbits, per kg) for 1 hr.) for 1 hr.)
High Highly toxic < 50 mg < 200 mg < 200 < 2,000
Moderately
Medium toxic 50 - < 500 mg 200 mg - < 1g 200 - < 2,000 2,000 - < 20,000
Low Slightly toxic 500 mg – 5 g 1–5g 2,000 - 20,000 20,000 - 200,000
y Toxic Material - A material which produces a lethal dose or a lethal

concentration within any of the following categories:
A chemical or substance that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of more than fifty milligrams
per kilogram but not more than five hundred milligrams per kilogram of body weight when
administered orally to albino rats of between two hundred and three hundred grams each.
A chemical or substance that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of more than two hundred
milligrams per kilogram but not more than one thousand milligrams per kilogram of body
weight when administered by continuous contact for twenty-four hours, or less if death
occurs within twenty-four hours, with the bare skin of albino rabbits of between two and
three kilograms each.
A chemical substance that has a median lethal concentration (LC50) in air of more than two
hundred parts per million but not more than two thousand parts per million by volume of gas
or vapor; or, more than two milligrams per liter but not more than twenty milligrams per liter
of mist, fume, or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for one hour, or less if
death occurs within one hour, to albino rats of two hundred and three hundred grams each.
y Highly Toxic Material - Material which produces a lethal dose or lethal
concentration which falls within any of the following categories:
February 2006
A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of fifty milligrams or less per kilogram of
body mass (mg/kg) when administered orally to albino rats of between two hundred and
three hundred grams each.
A chemical that has a median LD50 of 200 mg/kg or less when administered by continuous
contact for twenty-four hours, or less if death occurs within twenty-four hours, with the bare
skin of albino rabbits of between two and three kilograms each.
A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC50) in air of two hundred parts per
million by volume or less of gas or vapor, or 2 milligrams per liter or less of mist, fume or
dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for one hour, or less if death occurs within
one hour, to albino rats between two hundred and three hundred grams each.
NOTE: Mixtures of these materials with ordinary materials, such as water,
may result in the classification of “highly toxic” not being warranted. While
this system is basically simple in application, experienced, technically
competent persons shall perform any hazard evaluation, which is required for
the precise categorization of this type of material.
• Carcinogen: A hazard that can cause cancer. Substances and

exposures which have been adequately proven to be carcinogens are
defined as select carcinogens in the UW Laboratory Safety Manual,
May 2000, Select Carcinogen, Appendix H, with examples listed.
Or, if you want an excessively detailed definition….
• Carcinogen (UW Laboratory Safety Manual, May 2000, Select

Carcinogen): A hazard that can cause cancer, considered a carcinogen
if:
It is regulated by WISHA as a carcinogen;
OR
It is listed as “known to be carcinogens” in the Annual Report on Carcinogens

published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) (latest edition);
OR
It is listed as “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for

Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs (latest edition);
OR
It is listed in either Group 2A (“Probably carcinogenic to humans”) or 2B

(“Possibly carcinogenic to humans”) by IARC or in the category of
“Reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens” by NTP, and it causes
statistically significant tumor incidence in experimental animals in accordance
with any of the following criteria:
April 2005
After inhalation exposure of 6-7 hours per day, 5 days per week, for a
significant portion of a lifetime to dosages of less than 10 mg/m3;
or
After repeated skin application of less than 300 mg/kg of body weight per
week;
or
After oral dosages of less than 50 mg/kg of body weight per day.
• Mutagens and Teratogens: A mutagen is a substance or hazard that

may cause heritable damage to reproductive cells which can result in a
mutation. A teratogen is a substance or hazard that may cause
damage to a developing embryo or fetus. “Workplace Hazards to
Reproduction and Development,” Sharon L. Drozdowsky and Stephen
G. Whittaker, Technical Report Number 21-3-1999, August 1999,
Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Safety and
Health Assessment & Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program
contains listings of known and suspect mutagens and teratogens.
UFC Uniform Fire Code
UL Underwriters Laboratory
USDA United States Department of Agriculture
Vapor Pressure - The pressure, often measured in psia, exerted by a liquid.
VAV Variable air volume
VFD Variable frequency drive
WAC Washington Administrative Code
WSBC Washington State Building Code

Guia de Diseño de Segurida de Laboratorio

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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

LABORATORY SAFETY DESIGN GUIDE

February 17, 2006

I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES .................................................... 6

VII. BIOSAFETY LABORATORIES ...................................................................................... 35

L. Static (Zero Hz) Magnetic Fields............................................................................. 68

The construction of laboratory facilities requires oversight. Regulatory requirements must be

I. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABORATORIES

The primary objective in laboratory design should be to provide a safe, accessible

B. Building Design Issues

1. Noncombustible construction is preferred.

2. Offices should be separated from laboratories.

4. Large sections of glass shall be tempered or laminated. Shatter resistant

C. Laboratory Design Considerations

2. Design of the laboratory and adjacent support spaces shall incorporate

3. Mechanical climate control should be provided as needed.

4. When office and laboratory spaces are connected, design pressure

6. Each laboratory where hazardous materials, whether chemical, biological, or

1. Designer Qualifications — The designer shall have the appropriate

2. Building Occupancy Classification and Control Areas— Occupancy

E. Hazardous Materials Design Issues

1. Facilities shall be designed so that use of a respirator is not required for

2. A pressure-differential system should be used to control the flow of airborne

3. There must be adequate in-laboratory storage cabinets to store reagents and

4. Sufficient space or facilities (e.g., storage cabinets with partitions, secondary

and compressed gasses can be physically separated. When designing

5. An area for a spill kit must be provided within the laboratory or at a

6. The laboratory shall have a means of securing specifically regulated

7. See Chapters 5 and 6 of the Guide for additional requirements for

F. Entries, Exits, and Aisle Width

1. Self-closing laboratory doors should be operable with a minimum of effort to

2. Laboratory benches, laboratory equipment and other furniture or obstacles

3. The space between adjacent workstations and laboratory benches should be

4. Spaces between benches, cabinets, and equipment shall be accessible for

5. Laboratory doors that separate laboratory areas from non-laboratory areas

6. Door swings should consider room pressure gradients to facilitate door

7. Corridor width should be five to seven feet.

G. Electrical and Utility Issues

3. Laboratories shall be provided with light fixture on emergency power at the

1. A work surface that can be adjusted to be from twenty-seven to thirty-seven

I. Non-Structural Seismic Hazard Abatement

1. Adequate laboratory fume hoods shall be provided. A facility designed for

2. Noise levels at laboratory benches shall be designed not to exceed 55 dBA to

II. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

This section presents general guidance to ensure a consistent approach to meeting

B. General Environmental Design Criteria

1. All construction/renovation projects, including those occurring within new

a) EH&S maintains restricted access reports identifying areas of

b) Historical asbestos survey reports have been compiled on some

2. Depending on work practices, lead-containing materials have the potential to

adversely impact the health of construction workers and others located

3. Air pollution: Installation of fuel-burning equipment and air-pollution-control

4. Laboratories that will be completely or partially vacated due to

5. Hazardous wastes must be handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance

6. The production, use, and handling of ozone-depleting substances (e.g., CFC-

7. PCB-containing materials: Oil-filled electrical equipment (transformers,

Programs Office will determine proper waste disposal procedures on behalf

9. Site contamination: Performing construction in areas of known site

10. Storm water management: Storm water runoff generated by

12. Other environmental issues: Additional environmental issues will be

III. LABORATORY VENTILATION

B. General Laboratory Ventilation Design Issues

The primary function of a ventilation system is to provide a comfortable and safe