Air pressure in research laboratories should be negative to the hallways and offices. When positive air pressure occurs, more air is being supplied to the room than what is being removed by the fume hood or general exhaust. This can result in air from the laboratory (including chemical vapors and dusts) being blown out into the hallway outside of the lab and chemical odors permeating the hallways and surrounding rooms.
Ensure the entrance door to the laboratory is closed.
If you notice odors that seem to be escaping from a lab, then please contact LS/LSS for assistance.
Water Protection
Water supply connected of feeded equipment or laboratory apparatus uses backflow protection or is connected to a faucet with a vacuum breaker. Backflow prevention and vacuum breakers for water used experimental process or with a piece of equipment provides protection against back flowing or and contaminating the laboratory’s and building’s water supply system. Chemical contamination and/or temperature extremes could be observed in case of improper backflow prevention
Common water protection problems encountered in labs are listed below:
- A tube attached to a faucet without a vacuum breaker,
- Improper tubing connections causing leakage,
- Drainage tubing hanging down into the sink.
These tubes can be immersed in wash water when the sink is stopped up and backflow into the faucet, contaminating the building’s water supply.
References and sources for information from the relevant websites and documentation of different universities, NGOs and government agencies used in the preparation of this website are provided at references.