Download Laboratory Room

LABORATORY ROOM
The room has 2 clearly labeled exits, which will also accommodate
handicapped students
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Workstations will accommodate handicapped and disabled students
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The room is neat and clean at all times
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Doors have reinforced glass viewing window, or peephole
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Doorways are 36” wide, and open outward to accommodate
disabled students and to facilitate rapid exit during crises
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The lab room provides a minimum floorspace of 45 sq. ft. per student (NSTA)
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The combination lab/classroom provides a minimum floorspace of
60 sq. ft. per student (NSTA)
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An additional 20 sq. ft. of floor space is provided for an ADA lab station (NSTA) _______
Additional floor space is provided for technological equipment
(10 sq. ft. for TV monitor with VCR, laser disc player, 15 sq. ft. per
computer station, 12 sq. ft. for projector) - NSTA
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The room has floor space for 24 or fewer students(NSTA, NSELA, etc.)
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To insure adequate supervision, student:teacher ratio never exceeds 24:1
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The laboratory is never used for any other purpose than the science
instruction for which it was designed
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Each student has at least 6 linear feet (1.8m) of workspace/student
in the laboratory
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The teacher explains and has students sign the Student Safety Contract Form
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Workstations have slate counter tops or chemical resistant coatings
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The room has emergency labeled shut-off controls, accessible to the
teacher, for gas, electricity, and water
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Gas jets are protected with vandal resistant caps
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The room has no blind spots which cannot be supervised by the teacher
from all points in the room
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Floors are covered with a nonskid wax, or, nonskid pads are provided
at each water bearing work station
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Air in the room is regularly turned over and mixed with outside air
(4-12 complete laboratory air changes per hour during labs depending on
the chemicals used)
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LR-1
The exhaust ventilation system is separate from that of the chemical fume hood
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The general (diffused) light level is 50-100 foot candles
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Aisles are sufficiently wide (5 ft.) to accommodate handicapped students,
equipment and emergency egress
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Stools are not allowed when lab experiments are being conducted
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Goose-necked faucets are used on sinks to allow attachment of portable
eyewashes and for immersion of some bodily parts if splashed with chemicals
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At least one (more if dictated by the complexity of the curriculum offered)
functioning exhaust hood (portable or permanent) is provided if chemicals are
used extensively (face velocity approximately 80 fpm). This may be an optional
item, if the middle school chemical demand is not sufficiently complex to
demand its use
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Exhaust hood is not used for storage of chemicals
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Exhaust hood is away from primary entrance/exit and high traffic areas
_______
Exhaust hood venting is clear to outside of the building and well above
roof level of other rooms
_______
Lockable chemical storage area is labeled according to 'Right to Know'
legislation (if applicable) and inaccessible to students
_______
Ground fault interrupters (GFI/GFCI) are placed on all electrical outlets
within arms reach of faucets
_______
Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI/GFCI) are provided for delicate electrical
equipment and where thunderstorm activity is a regular meteorologic phenomena
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All electrical outlets carry grounding connection requiring a three prong
plug and all appliances meet this need
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All electrical wiring is checked regularly
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Electrical circuits are tested using approved circuit testers on a regular basis
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Electrical outlets are properly grounded and capped when not in use
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Electrical outlets are placed along walls 6-8 feet apart
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Electrical outlets are located where the chances of contamination by
water or chemicals is reduced
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The room has a functioning intercom/phone system
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Appropriate waste receptacles are clearly labeled and accessible
_______
Emergency telephone and evacuation procedures are clearly posted
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LR-2
Wall-hung storage cabinets have sloped tops to prevent storage on their tops
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Work sinks have rubber or plastic mats
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High voltage equipment items are secured by key locks
_______
The lab is supervised only by a science-qualified person who knows the
equipment and safety features
_______
PEL's, STIL's, TLV's are monitored for hazardous chemicals and do not
exceed the fume hood capability
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Chemicals are not typically stored in the lab room
_______
Lab lighting is on a separate circuit from electric outlets to
facilitate emergency shut- off
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Battery operated, emergency, supplemental lighting is available
in labs without windows
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Compressed gas cylinders are not stored in the lab
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Provisions are made for dust free storage of eye protective equipment
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Sanitizing cabinet or individually packaged alcohol pads are available
for cleaning eye protective equipment
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Functioning, and regularly tested, smoke/heat detector(s) is/are
located in strategic locations
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Special Considerations for Students with Disabilities
No counters, or other equipment have protruding or sharp edges
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Lab station meeting ADA requirements
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Controls are easy to use and accessible for gas, electricity, water
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Counter, and sink rim height are a maximum of 34” high
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Knee clearance is a minimum of 27” from the floor
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Sink depth is a maximum of 6.5”
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Eyewash is between 17” and 24” from wall
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Eyewash spout is a maximum of 36” from floor
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Shower pull handle is 44” – 55” above floor
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Fume hood is accessible
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LR-3
Special Considerations for Microbiological and DNA Labs
Lab work area is designed so that it can be easily cleaned
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Lab surfaces are unaffected by acids, alkalis, solvents temperate heat
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There is at least 1 sink (15” X 15”)/ 4 or 5 students
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Stainless steel sinks are conveniently available for hand washing
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Larger size stainless steel sinks are available for cleaning larger items
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Safety goggles are not shared
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All openable windows are fitted with screens to prevent contaminating
insects from entering the lab
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The work area is always kept clean and neat to help facilitate an
aseptic environment
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LR-4