Laboratory Relocation, Renovation, and Decomissioning Guidelines

Laboratory Furniture and Equipment Removal and Relocation

Before research equipment (e.g., incubators, centrifuges, thermocyclers) or furniture (eg., chairs, stools, cabinets) may be removed from a research laboratory for relocation, renovation, or disposal, it must be decontaminated and/or rendered non-hazardous. Applicable research laboratory spaces include, but are not limited to:

• Biosafety Level 2 or greater laboratories
• Animal holding and/or research spaces
• Areas housing and/or working with radioactive materials
• Areas housing and/or working with hazardous chemicals

See the Laboratory Decommissioning Procedure document for detailed guidance. Please note that appropriate methods for decontaminating and removing hazards vary widely. Contact EH&S with any questions.

Once the furniture or equipment has been properly decontaminated / rendered non-hazardous, relocation or removal may be requested directly through AU Support Services via a Support Service Request (2FIX). 

Hazardous Material Relocation

In some cases, the relocation of hazardous materials warrants special procedures, especially if they are to be transported to a different geographic location.  Contact EH&S for consultation on hazardous material relocation.

Chemical Purge

A chemical purge is the disposal of a large quantity of chemical containers. A chemical purge differs from a typical chemical disposal in that the number or size of chemical containers is too great to be stored in the designated satellite waste storage area and special support is needed from EH&S in managing the amount of waste to be collected. Contact EH&S for consultation on a chemical purge.