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Preparation/Chemical
Storage Area
26. Will the preparation area have gas, electricity, water
and a sink?
27. The preparation area should have a fire blanket,
eyewash, fire extinguisher and possibly a body
drench or shower.
28. Spill control materials should be located close to
your main preparation area.
29. The prep/storage area should have a vinyl tile or
concrete floor, double drywall ceiling and walls.
The door should have self-return hardware with
an automatic lock and a fire-rated door. The door
should swing out if it is your only exit. You don’t
want the door to be blocked from opening if an
“event” were to occur in this area. Signs on the door
should say “Authorized Personnel Only.”
30. A stepladder should be provided to help retrieve
items from the top shelves.
31. Will your preparation area have a water still or
water demineralizing system? If so, where will it
be located?
32. Consider installing drying racks for glassware
above the sink.
33. A good preparation area is just like your kitchen
at home. You want plenty of counter and storage
space.
34. Will a telephone or intercom system be available in
case of emergency? You need a method to contact
outside help.
SAFETY REFERENCE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY DESIGN
35. There should be emergency lighting in the prep/
chemical storage area in case the power goes out. If
your labs do not have windows, emergency lighting
should also be provided in the lab area.
36. Have smoke detectors installed in the chemical
stores area and in an adjacent hallway. Both
units should be line operated and go off together
should fire/smoke develop in this area. This smoke
alarm system will alert others in the school that a
problem has de veloped.
37. Some architects are now installing acid dilution
basins in chemistry labs. These can create
a potential problem. Dilution basins should be
checked, cleaned and recharged every six months
to a year. If not, they could turn into a “chemical
dump” or “hazardous waste site” and cause costly
problems, (e.g., OSHA fines, clean-up costs). Does
your state’s law require that an acid dilution basin
is put in the chemistry lab?
38. Will the prep area have a first aid kit?
39. Do you use laboratory carts? If so, the prep area
should have space where the carts can be stored
when not in use.
40. Consider building a separate chemical stores
area next to the preparation area. Contained and
secured chemical storage solves lots of problems.
41. Approved flammable liquid and acid storage
cabinets should be in the chemical stores area.
42. Shelves in the chemical stores area should be
firmly secured to the walls. Shelves should have
a lip on the front to prevent bottles from rolling off.
43. Chemicals should not be stored more than six feet
above the floor.
44. The chemical storage door should be a solid-core,
fire-rated door (preferably hinged out). The door
should have a good lock and be labeled to identify
hazardous contents to alert and protect firefighters.
Interior walls and the ceiling should be double
drywall to make this a fire-rated room.
45. Chemical storeroom ventilation is a must. Four
air changes per hour is a minimum. Air should be
“pulled” from floor level and be exhausted directly
to the outdoors.
The proper design of a chemistry lab can be very
time-consuming. Acquaint yourself with as many
ideas as possible and decide which ideas best fit your
needs. Consider visiting other schools to look at their
chemistry labs. What do other chemistry teachers like
or dislike about their labs?
Contact the five major laboratory furniture
companies discussed shown below. Their resources
and ideas are invaluable.
Finally, depend on Flinn Scientific for suggestions,
advice and help. We know what it takes to design a
new chemis try lab and will be more than happy to
help you.
Chemistry Laboratory Design, continued
Laboratory Furniture Companies
You Should Contact When
Designing a Chemistry Laboratory
This list of laboratory furniture companies is not exhaustive. All of the companies
listed are large manufacturers offering complete lines of laboratory furnishings
and have sales representation in almost every state. While the companies listed
are all fine companies, this list should not be considered recommendations by
Flinn Scientific, Inc.
CampbellRhea Institutional Casework Inc.
1865 N. Market Street, Paris, TN 38242 • (731) 642-4251 • www.campbellrhea.com
Diversified Woodcrafts, Inc.
P.O. Box 160, Suring, WI 54174–0160 • (920) 842-2136 • www.diversifiedinc.com
Kewaunee Scientific Equipment Corporation
P.O. Box 1842, Statesville, NC 28687 • (704) 873-7202 • www.kewaunee.com
Leonard Peterson
P.O. Box 2277, Auburn, AL 36831-2277 • (334) 821-6832 • www.lpco.com
Sheldon Division, General Equipment Manufacturers
P.O. Box 836, Crystal Springs, MS 39059 • (601) 892-2731 • www.sheldonlabs.com
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/www.campbellrhea.com
/www.diversifiedinc.com
/www.kewaunee.com
/www.lpco.com
/www.sheldonlabs.com