Old-Space Deactivation

Deactivation is the process whereby chemical, biological, biohazardous, and radiological materials and wastes are removed from a space prior to vacating it. Deactivation also includes the decontamination and/or cleaning of work surfaces, including bench and fume hood surfaces, equipment, whether destined for resale or disposal, and other areas that are potentially contaminated with hazardous agents. Deactivation procedures are necessary to comply with local, state, and federal regulations governing the use and disposal of hazardous materials and to protect the health and safety of construction workers involved in remodeling or reconstruction work and future occupants.

New-Space Preparation

It is best to visit your new space before you move, to ensure that it will meet your needs for safely storing and using hazardous materials. Specialized equipment such as flammable or corrosive-materials storage cabinets, refrigerators, and fume hoods should be ordered well in advance. Ensure that any physical modifications (electrical work, plumbing, etc.) have been completed and meet your needs. Plan ahead about how and where you will store your materials, so that you can pack and unpack most efficiently.

Finally, ensure that your new space has been appropriately decontaminated and cleared for reuse by EH&S before you move in. EH&S has a procedure for communicating whether or not a laboratory is free of hazardous materials contamination to renovation workers, new occupants, campus movers, and others. When staff leave a laboratory, the DSC and EH&S assess the laboratory for potential biohazardous, radioactive, or chemical contamination, and decontaminate when necessary. EH&S completes a form called “Facilities/Equipment Decontamination Clearance” (see attached sample at the end of this manual), and posts it on the laboratory door or on a piece of equipment. If the space you are moving into does not have this form posted on the laboratory door or equipment, then it may not have been assessed or decontaminated. Contact your DSC or EH&S immediately.