Design and Practice of an Organic Analysis Laboratory to Enhance Laboratory Safety

Abstract

Laboratory safety has been gaining increasing attention in Chinese universities in recent years. Robust laboratory designs will ensure the safety of personnel, instruments, and the environment. This Case Study shares the experiences and lessons learnt from the design and reconstruction of an organic analysis laboratory in Shenzhen University. The following aspects are discussed: (1) the layout of the laboratory; (2) ventilation, electricity, gas, and humidity control; (3) fire-fighting and emergency facilities; (4) chemical storage; and (5) waste management.

Analysis and Management of Laboratory Safety Causes in Universities: A Case Study of J University

“…In recent years, as the occurrence of safety accidents in universities, all the socie-Y. First, concerning management mechanisms and responsibilities, some scholars advocate for a more scientifically and systematically designed arrangement in aspects such as laboratory layout, ventilation systems, circuits, gases, humidity control, fire safety, emergency facilities, and waste management, viewing them from the standpoint of planning and construction management (Wang et al, 2021). Beyond the planning and management of hardware, collaborative communication mechanisms among different entities, including laboratory core users, designers, and builders, are deemed necessary to ensure project success (Goode & Tucker, 2020).…”

Hazardous Material Master Planning: A Valuable Investment To Improve Stakeholder Collaboration

“…More simplistically, users requiring specific containment mechanisms, such as exhausting a flammable liquid cabinet for odor control or providing fume hoods to vent organic solvent vapors during normal operations, should understand why a specific design was provided so as to conduct appropriate operations within the exhaust and containment zones specifically designed for that hazard 14 or, conversely, understanding that they desire to conduct operations that require protection that exceeds that which is provided by the building and system modifications are required.…”

“…Consequently, if a more hazardous operation is proposed for the same fume hood later in the building’s life cycle, the limits of the existing exhaust system will be understood and compensatory measures can be taken to limit the hazard or increase the exhaust. One discrete example is the recently popular trend to provide volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors (see Figure ) interlocked with a higher rate of exhaust, such that during normal operations when vapors are minimal, a reduced exhaust ventilation rate is employednominally reducing energy usage and maintaining an acceptable level of safety. The use of these sensors should clearly state which chemicals they are listed to detect, as the introduction of materials that the sensor cannot detect would not conform to the original design intent. More simplistically, users requiring specific containment mechanisms, such as exhausting a flammable liquid cabinet for odor control or providing fume hoods to vent organic solvent vapors during normal operations, should understand why a specific design was provided so as to conduct appropriate operations within the exhaust and containment zones specifically designed for that hazard or, conversely, understanding that they desire to conduct operations that require protection that exceeds that which is provided by the building and system modifications are required. Secondary Containment. A spill control/secondary containment/liquid spread control system serves several purposes, including limiting the area of a hazardous material spill, limiting the impact of fire damage to the zone of origin, and improving the likelihood of fire protection system success while reducing the amount of fire protection water damage.…”

Hazard Evaluation of Metal–Organic Framework Synthesis and Scale-up: A Laboratory Safety Perspective

“…In recent years, more academic institutions have started to include, adopt, and implement concepts of safety culture into their work environments . This is not only to prevent great losses of the most significant assetslaboratory experimentalistsbut also to adopt a more conscious, professional, and responsible attitude in their work, in agreement to industry practices.…”