Under means of egress/occupancy load factors, International Fire Code (section 1004) sets the occupant load at 50 ft2 for educational laboratories. Uniform Fire
Code (NFPA 1: 14.8.1) similarly uses 50 ft2 per occupant also under means of egress/occupant load for Educational Use: shops and labs. Between these two standards, most should get coverage.
An alternate strategy may be to look to the ventilation rates for these labs, but the occupancy load limits will typically be more stringent than leaning on the
ASHRAE 62.1 or applicable mechanical codes.
Stanley Howell, Ph.D
Chemical Safety Program Manager
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Environmental Health & Safety
(949) 824-8342
schowell**At_Symbol_Here**uci.edu
University of California, Irvine
4600 Health Sciences Rd.
Irvine, CA 92697-2725
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU]
On Behalf Of Harry J. Elston
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 8:27 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Justification for lower cap for teaching labs
Jim - can you point to a reference for that? SBC (Southern Building Code), IBC (International) or other?
Pam,
Take a look at the building occupancy load in the building/fire codes. It is normally limited to 50 sq ft per person in labs in educational occupanies.
PS. "There's more to lab safety than just labs!"
James A. Kaufman, Ph.D.
Founder/VP of Education
The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI)
A Nonprofit Educational Organization for Safety in Science, Industry, and Education
192 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760-2252
508-647-1900 Fax: 508-647-0062
Cell: 508-574-6264 Res: 781-237-1335
Skype: labsafe; 508-401-7406
jim**At_Symbol_Here**labsafety.org
www.labsafety.org
Teach, Learn, and Practice Science Safely
Currently the labs classes here are capped at 32. I know that the ACS recommends no more than 25. Are there any other sources I can quote as a draft a letter
to our Dean to lower the cap in chem labs. We are a two year school so when I say that labs are capped at 32 that would be ONE pair of experienced eyes in the room. There are no TAs.
I am also looking into the square footage of the room
Right now I am working with groups of 4 so not all students are getting a true lab experience. Some are just watching
Thanks
2041 Branard
Houston TX 77098
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