Laboratory Planning and Design

Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety

This document should be used by project managers and design professionals on campus to help identify
specific Environmental Health and Safety topics related to laboratory design during new construction or
renovation projects. This checklist is a list of general requirements of some of the basic health and safety
considerations that shall be included in the design features for any laboratory project. Variations from these
guidelines need approval from Environmental Health and Safety. Please complete the checklist and review
with the Environmental Health and Safety Department.

Environmental Health and Safety should be involved in all phases of project-planning, starting with the
initial design meeting, and should be included on the project’s design team.

Building: Date:
Project Name: Project Number:
Projected Start Date: Projected Completion Date:
Brief Description of Project:

New Construction Renovation

Building Design Considerations for Laboratory Facilities
Fire Protection YES NO N/A
• Have the proper fireproof
construction materials for the
building been selected?
• Have the requirements of NFPA 45
– Standard on Fire Protection for
Laboratories Using Chemicals been
followed?
Laboratory Separation YES
• Have provisions been made for the
separation of laboratory space from
non-laboratory space?
Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to identify
proper fireproof construction materials.
All City of Chicago Building Codes for fire
protection and fire resistive rating must be
followed.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to identify
which NFPA 45 requirements need to be
followed.
NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help
ensure proper separation of laboratory space
with non-laboratory space.

It is recommended to keep offices and

• Have provisions been made to
keep public access corridors
separate from laboratory corridors?
employee support areas outside of laboratory
spaces.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help
ensure proper separation of public spaces from
laboratory spaces.

It is highly recommended to maintain public

access along the perimeter of the building.

Page 1 of 9

Corridors
• Are corridor configurations
arranged to keep laboratory
activities separate from non-
laboratory activities and allow
proper means of egress?
• Are service corridors kept
completely separate from public
access corridors?
• Have provisions been made for
secured access to service
corridors?
• Is access to shut-off valves,
electrical equipment, gas cylinders
supply, etc. maintained in
designated closets or mechanical
spaces?
Building Security
• Is the building designed to
withstand local conditions such as
tornados?
• Are provisions made for locking
control key systems, alarm devices,
lighting systems, building
hardening, vehicle movement and
surveillance?
General Laboratory Unit Considerations
Laboratory Shell
• Will the laboratory unit, laboratory
support areas and chemical storage
areas consist of walls on all sides, a
floor, and a ceiling?
Walls YES
• Will walls be painted with washable,
hard, non-porous, cleanable, epoxy
material?
• Will walls consist of cove bases
along the floor and backsplashes
along lab benches?
Laboratory Planning and Design
Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help
ensure proper corridor configurations.
All corridors shall meet the City of Chicago
Building Codes pertaining to means of egress.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help
ensure proper separation of service and public
access corridors.
All corridors shall meet the City of Chicago
Building Codes pertaining to means of egress.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help
ensure secured access to service corridors.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to help
ensure proper closure of shut-off valves,
electrical equipment, gas cylinder supply, etc.
inside designated closets or mechanical
spaces.
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to and design
professional to ensure resistance to natural
disasters.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S and design
professional to ensure building security
elements are in place.
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper laboratory unit configuration.
All laboratory units shall consist of walls on all
sides, a floor and ceiling. All City of Chicago
Building Codes pertaining to fire protection
shall be followed.
NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for wall paint and other
coverings.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for bases, wall, and floor
protection to spills and splashes.
Page 2 of 9

Windows
• Will insect screens be installed for
windows that open?
Floors
• Will floors be constructed of non-
pervious, cleanable, seamless,
sheet vinyl, epoxy or similar
material?
• Will floors consist of gently rounded
cove base to the walls?
Lighting
• Are provisions in place for
adequate illumination for sufficient
visibility?
• Will interior lighting consist of high-
output fluorescent fixtures that can
provide 70 foot-candles evenly
distributed when measured at one
meter from the floor?
Sinks
• Are provisions in place for a sink
designated for hand washing?
• Does the sink have lips that protect
drains from chemical spills?
• Does the sink have a cleanable and
removable strainer in the drain
basin?
• Will the sink be constructed of
stainless steel or epoxy resins that
are chemical resistant?
• Will the sink basin be of sufficient
height and the sink consists of a
low profile faucet to reduce
splashing?
Laboratory Furniture
• Are provision made to construct all
working surfaces such as bench
tops and counters with sturdy and
chemical resistant materials?
Laboratory Planning and Design
Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for insect screens.
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for flooring.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for floor bases.
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for lighting.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for lighting.
All lighting ballasts should be mounted
externally.
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for hand washing sinks.
Hand washing sinks should be located in close
proximity to the laboratory door. Additional
hand washing sinks should be considered for
larger laboratories and open research spaces.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper laboratory sink design.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper laboratory sink design.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper laboratory sink design.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper laboratory sink design.
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for laboratory furniture.
All furniture should be capable of supporting
the anticipated loading.
Page 3 of 9

• Is the furniture designed with basic
ergonomic specifications?
Laboratory Access and Security YES
• Will the laboratory, laboratory
support areas and chemical storage
areas have means to secure
regulated items such as radioactive
materials?
• Are provisions made for locking
control key systems or equivalent to
prevent unauthorized personnel
entrance into laboratory spaces?
Chemical Storage and Shelving
Chemical Storage
• Is the laboratory designed to only
allow temporary storage of
chemicals (as needed use)?
• Will storage cabinets be designed
with partitions to separate
incompatible chemicals?
• Will flammable liquid storage
cabinets be provided for storage of
flammable liquids?
• Is laboratory shelving design as to
not require the laboratory personnel
to reach greater than twelve inches
to the highest shelf?
Laboratory Planning and Design
Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety
If no or unsure, work with EH&S for
recommendations for laboratory ergonomic
design.
Fabric materials on furniture such as chairs
shall not be used in laboratories.
NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
regulated items are secured properly.
All regulated items shall have means for
secured access and control from unauthorized
personnel and the public.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
secured access to laboratories, laboratory
support areas and chemical storage areas.
YES NO
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
only temporary storage of chemicals on an as
needed basis.
Long term storage of chemicals should be
designated to chemical storage areas. City of
Chicago Municipal Code 15-28 – Hazardous
Materials and Combustible Solids shall be
followed.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper chemical separation in storage cabinets.
Refer to the University’s Hazardous Materials
Management Plan for a guideline on chemical
storage separation.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper storage of flammable liquids.
Flammable liquid storage cabinets must be UL
listed and shall be provided for flammable
liquids greater than ten gallons.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S on
recommended shelving height.
Page 4 of 9

Laboratory Fume Hoods
Laboratory Fume Hoods
• Has an evaluation been completed
to assess the appropriate type and
number of fume hoods needed?
• Has consideration been given to
the location of the fume hood with
respect to open windows,
doorways, traffic, and other items
that influence the containment
ability of the hood?
• Are there any provisions for
incorporating perchloric acid fume
hoods?
• Will fume hood exhaust systems be
connected to emergency power
system?
• Is the fume hood designed to
contain spills inside the hood?
• Are provisions in place for
adequate supply of make-up air in
the laboratory for the fume hood
exhausts?
• Are there provisions to install drying
ovens or drying cabinets in the
laboratory?
Emergency Eyewashes and Safety Showers
Emergency Eyewashes YES
• Are provisions in place to install an
emergency eyewash station in
areas where contamination of the
eye by corrosive materials, severely
irritating materials and materials
that are toxic by skin absorption is
likely?
Laboratory Planning and Design
Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure end
user needs are met for laboratory fume hoods.
The design professional should incorporate all
ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003 – Laboratory Ventilation
requirements into the design process. Please
refer to the University’s Chemical Fume Hood
Policy for more information.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper location of the laboratory fume hoods.
Fume hoods should not be located adjacent to
a single means of egress exit or directly next to
personnel workstations.
If yes, work with EH&S to ensure proper
design, location, and use of perchloric acid
fume hood.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper emergency back-up power for laboratory
fume hoods.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper spill containment inside fume hoods.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure
proper make-up air requirements for a
laboratory with fume hoods.
The combined air supply and exhaust should
still maintain a negative pressure for most
laboratories and provide approximately six air
exchanges per hour.
If yes, work with EH&S to ensure proper
location for drying ovens or drying cabinets.
Drying ovens or drying cabinets shall not be
installed underneath laboratory fume hoods.
NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency eyewash requirements are met.
Design professionals shall follow all 29 CFR
1910.151(c) and ANSI Z358.1-2009 –
Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment
Standard requirements. Please refer to the
University’s Emergency Eyewashes and
Showers Policy for more information.
Page 5 of 9

• Will the emergency eyewash
station be located as to allow the
user to reach it in ten seconds or
less on the same level of the
building?
• Are provisions in place to locate
electrical apparatuses, telephones,
thermostat, power outlets, etc. near
the eyewash station?
• Will the emergency eyewash
station be designed to deliver water
to both eyes simultaneously at a
volume of at least 1.5 liters/minute?
• Are there provisions to install
drench hoses in the laboratory,
laboratory support area, or
chemical storage area?
• Will the water that is plumbed in the
emergency eyewash station be
“tepid?”
• Will floor drains be provided on all
fixed eyewash stations?
Emergency Safety Showers
• Are provisions in place to install an
emergency safety shower in areas
where gross chemical
contamination of the body is likely?
Laboratory Planning and Design
Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency eyewash requirements are met.
The emergency eyewash station shall be
identified with a highly visible sign. The areas
around the eyewash shall be well lit and highly
visible.
If yes, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency eyewash station requirements are
met.
All electrical items and appliances should be at
least 18 inches away from the eyewash station
on both sides.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency eyewash requirements are met.
The velocity shall not be too high as to cause
injury to the eyes. Emergency eyewash
stations shall not be monocular.
If yes, work with EH&S to ensure that
emergency eyewash stations are not
substituted for drench hoses.
Drench hoses may be used as a means to
remove chemical contamination from various
parts of the body, but they shall not substitute
emergency eyewash stations.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency eyewash requirements are met.
Water temperature shall be in the range of
27°C to 35°C (80°F to 95°F).
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency eyewash requirements are met.
P or U traps to floor drains should be
considered.
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency safety shower requirements are
met.
Design professionals shall follow all 29 CFR
1910.151(c) and ANSI Z358.1-2009 –
Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment
Standard requirements. Please refer to the
University’s Emergency Eyewashes and
Showers Policy for more information.
Page 6 of 9

• Will the emergency safety shower
be located as to allow the user to
reach it in ten seconds or less on
the same level of the building?
• Are provisions in place to locate
electrical apparatuses, telephones,
thermostat, power outlets, etc. near
the safety shower?
• Will the emergency safety shower
have a minimum volume of 75.7
liters/minute (20 gallons/minute)?
• Will the emergency safety shower
be designed to be activated in less
than one second, when needed?
• Will the water that is plumbed in the
emergency safety shower be
“tepid?”
• Will floor drains be provided for all
emergency safety showers?
Combination Eyewashes and
Showers
• Will a combination eyewash and
safety shower be installed?
Laboratory Planning and Design
Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency safety shower requirements are
met.
The emergency safety shower shall be
identified with a highly visible sign. The areas
around the eyewash shall be well lit and highly
visible.
If yes, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency safety shower requirements are
met.
All electrical items and appliances should be at
least 18 inches away from the emergency
safety shower on both sides.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency safety shower requirements are
met.
If no or unsure, work with EHS to ensure all
emergency safety shower requirements are
met.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency safety shower requirements are
met.
Water temperature shall be in the range of
27°C to 35°C (80°F to 95°F).
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency safety shower requirements are
met.
P or U traps to floor drains should be
considered.
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
emergency safety shower requirements are
met.
The preferred solution to emergency
eyewashes and safety showers is a
combination eyewash and safety shower.
Page 7 of 9

Fire Safety and Means of Egress
Fire Safety
• Are provisions being made for City
of Chicago Building Codes
pertaining to fire safety and means
of egress?
• Will the main aisle ways used for
means of egress have a clearance
of at least thirty-six inches?
• Will the minimum aisle clearance of
at least twenty-six inches be
maintained in all laboratories and
laboratory support areas?
• Will the pathway clearance of thirty-
six inches be maintained at the face
of the exit?
• Will the laboratory doors be self-
closing and allow access and
egress for laboratory personnel?
• Are all exit doors designed to swing
in the direction of exit travel?
• Are provisions made for the proper
selection, location, and number of
portable fire extinguishers?
• Are sprinklers installed inside a
laboratory without any
obstructions?
Laboratory Planning and Design
Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
fire safety and means of egress requirements
are met.
All City of Chicago Building Codes for fire
safety and means of egress shall be followed.
Refer to the University’s Fire Safety Policy for
more information.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
fire safety and means of egress requirements
are met.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
fire safety and means of egress requirements
are met.
More than twenty-six inches is ideal to make
room for necessary equipment.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
fire safety and means of egress requirements
are met.
There shall be no obstruction in the exit way
that may hamper travel and evacuation.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
fire safety and means of egress requirements
are met.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
fire safety and means of egress requirements
are met.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
fire safety and means of egress requirements
are met.
Fire extinguishers shall be clearly marked and
shall not be blocked by other objects.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
fire safety and means of egress requirements
are met.
Sprinkler heads must have a clearance of at
least 18 inches from the sprinkler head to the
nearest object.
Page 8 of 9

Electricity and Utilities
Electrical Safety
• Will NFPA 70 – National Electrical
Code be incorporated into the
design of the laboratory, laboratory
support area, and chemical storage
areas?
• Will NFPA 70E – Standard for
Electrical Safety in the Workplace
be incorporated into the design of
the laboratory, laboratory support
area and chemical storage areas?
• Will outlets be located on every
open wall such that there are no
more than six feet of wall space to
any given outlet?
• Will laboratory benches be
equipped with a continuous outlet
molding with outlets spacing about
every six to twelve inches?
• Are provisions in place to fit the
laboratory and laboratory support
area with electrical outlets that can
accommodate current requirements
with an additional twenty to forty
percent capacities of its intended
use?
• Will circuit breakers be located
outside of the laboratory, but not in
rated corridors?
• Will electrical receptacles above
countertops, on bench tops, and
within six feet of any wet areas
such as a sink contain GFCI circuit
protection?
Laboratory Planning and Design
Review Checklist
Environmental Health and Safety
YES NO N/A Required Actions
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
electrical installation requirements are met.
The City of Chicago requires that the National
Electrical Code be followed for all electrical
installations.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
electrical safety requirements are met.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
electrical installations and safety requirements
are met.
Quad outlet boxes are recommended over
duplex boxes.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
electrical installation and safety requirements
are met.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
electrical installations and safety requirements
are met.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
electrical installation and safety requirements
are met.
Circuit breaker panels and similar equipment
shall be labeled with a notification of an
electrical rating.
If no or unsure, work with EH&S to ensure all
electrical installations and safety requirements
are met.
Page 9 of 9