Equipment Testing & Certification

Laboratories are equipped with several devices for user safety and emergency response. Many of these devices must be periodically certified to ensure they are functioning properly as designed in accordance with regulatory requirements. EHS coordinates, or conducts, the certification of these devices in our laboratories. For more information on the certification process, how to request certification, or when periodic testing or certification is required, please review the equipment listed below.

Chemical Fume Hoods

Chemical fume hood inspections are conducted by EHS:

  • Annually, or more frequently if required by funding agencies;
  • Following the installation of a new chemical fume hood or renovation of a room where a chemical fume hood is located;
  • When maintenance is performed on a chemical fume hood;
  • Per request by the PI/LS if chemical fume hood performance is unsatisfactory; and
  • As required due to specific laboratory operations conducted in a laboratory.

Each chemical fume hood should be labeled with an inspection sticker that displays the date that the hood was inspected, the measured face velocity, and the name of the inspector who conducted the test. Chemical fume hoods that fail inspection cannot be used until they are repaired by Facilities Management, 3-2525, and retested by EHS.

Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151(c) requires Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations “Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.” OSHA adopted the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z358.1 standard, which requires these stations to be within 10 seconds travel from the hazard and activated weekly long enough to verify operation and the availability of tepid (60-100oF) water or flushing fluid.

Principal Investigators are responsible for documenting that the emergency showers and eyewash stations in their laboratories are being flushed by providing their initials, or the initials of their designee, on the testing tag at least biweekly.

EHS conducts the annual flow testing of all emergency shower and eyewash stations to ensure they can maintain a flow rate of 20 GPM and 0.4 GPM for 15 minutes respectively. Testing tags are initialed by EHS upon completion of the testing. EHS provides new tags upon request, please contact labsafe@gmu.edu.

Biological Safety Cabinets

Biological safety cabinets certifications are coordinated by EHS:

  • Annually
  • For new installations or renovation of a room where cabinet is located;
  • When maintenance is performed on the cabinet

Biological safety cabinets will be labeled with a certification sticker that displays the date of testing, the expiration date of that certification and the name of the inspector who conducted the test. Cabinets that fail inspection cannot be used until they are repaired, which will be coordinated by EHS, email labsafe@gmu.edu.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are replaced according to NFPA 10 §7.3.1.1.2, which requires all stored pressure fire extinguishers to be emptied and refilled or replaced every six years. EHS-Fire Safety is responsible for replacing fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers are certified annually by EHS-Fire Safety personnel and in accordance with NFPA 10 §7.3.2. Specifically, EHS-Fire Safety Inspectors:

  • Confirm extinguisher is in proper location.
  • Check for sufficient pressure.
  • Inspect rubber hose for cracks and/or deficiencies.
  • Invert the extinguisher.
  • Inspect the extinguisher for and damage or deficiencies.
  • Confirm pin is in place with tamper tag attached.
  • Inspect bracket or cabinet for any damage.

Fire extinguishers are required to be visually inspected monthly. Monthly inspections are the responsibility of building occupants. Inspections must be noted on the fire extinguisher inspection tag. All defective or damaged fire extinguishers must be reported to EHS for replacement or repair. Monthly visual inspections consist of the following:

  • Confirm extinguisher is in proper location.
  • Check for sufficient pressure.
  • Inspect the extinguisher for and damage or deficiencies.
  • Confirm pin is in place with tamper tag attached.
  • Inspect bracket or cabinet for any damage.