Environmental Engineering Lab – Lab User Information Manual
(Amy, Silverstein & Summers Labs)
http://civil.colorado.edu/web/grad/environ/research/northlabs.html
General Stuff
1) Refrigerator Space – Refrigerator space is equally divided among researchers and
coordinated by the Lab Manager [Summers lab researchers coordinate with Scott]. If
you need additional space, speak with your advisor.
2) Lab Bench Shelves – The plastic shelves at the lab benches are sturdy, but will
deform slightly under load. It is recommended that you keep heavier items away
from the middle to avoid this. If you must put these heavier items in the middle, then
it is recommended that you use a column support underneath.
3) Desk Space - Desk space allocation in the offices is determined by the research
advisors and department chair (taking into account degree level, years of time here
and need). Talk to the Lab Manager about lab desk space.
4) Lab Computers – The lab computers are for general use. If you need to install
specific software or encounter, contact the designated person in charge of them.
Please keep your files organized and avoid file sharing programs (often music related)
due to their tendency to take up large amounts of bandwidth which ITS does not like.
5) Phone List - If you have changes to the “Environmental Engineering Research Phone
List”, contact the Lab Manager
6) Physical Lab Needs - If you have ideas for higher expense physical lab needs
(equipment, infrastructure, etc.), let the Lab Manager know
7) Security – All lab doors should be locked at 5:00 PM.
8) Equipment - All equipment has a responsible researcher. If it is your first time using
the piece of equipment in this lab, talk to the responsible researcher for familiarization
and scheduling. All equipment should have a user manual kept with the equipment or
in the equipment manual drawer.
9) Equipment Installation - Permanent installation of equipment, lines, etc. must be
approved in advance by the Lab Manager.
10) Lab Supplies - General lab supplies are purchased by the Lab Manager. If you need
a general supply item, and we are out of it, contact the Lab Manager. These items
consist of, but are not limited to the following:
- Paper towels
- Tools
- Hand soap
- Lab tape (limited)
- Powdered soap for glassware
- pH paper (limited)
- Kim wipes
- Balance supplies
- Latex gloves (non-powdered)
- Safety glasses
- Parafilm
- Baking soda
11) Tools – There is a supply of common tools (wrenches, screw drivers, etc.). Make
sure you put them back as soon a possible and in their appropriate drawer. If you
need tools beyond what we have here, the structures lab Lab Manager or the ITLL
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machine shop may be able to help you out. You must be very respectful of the use of
this borrowed equipment because it affects our ability to obtain this equipment in the
future.
12) Drying oven - Do not leave your glassware in the drying oven for more time than is
needed. Rubber coated vial racks cannot go in the drying oven.
13) Dry chemical storage shelves – All chemicals are in alphabetical order. Please keep
them that way. When you purchase a new chemical, write the date and your name on
it.
14) Hoods – The hoods are general lab use, keep them clean.
15) Acid, base and flammable liquid, non-toxic/non-flammable liquid, and toxic/nonflammable liquid/solid storage areas – make sure your name and date is on the
container, and any chemicals you obtain from previous researchers.
16) Storage Room – the storage room is downstairs. The Lab Manager has the key.
Significant additions to the storage room should be approved by the Lab Manager.
17) Experiment and Equipment Procedures – If you need a procedure for an
experiment or piece of equipment, see the “Amy, Silverstein, Summers Lab Web
Page” (http://civil.colorado.edu/web/grad/environ/research/northlabs.html) or contact
the Lab Manager to see if one exists. If you are developing one, make sure the Lab
Manager receives a copy of it. (See procedure list below for available procedures)
18) Gas Tank Storage - Each individual is responsible for filling out the university return
sheet for their cylinders. In addition, you need to fill in the “Gas Cylinder Return
Log”. The Lab Manager calls in pick-ups. When you receive a new gas tank, be sure
to put your name on it. Flammable & oxidizer gasses can not be stored together.
19) DI system - If you see that the DI light is out, tape the valve and notify the Lab
Manager, so he/she can call it in for replacement.
20) MQ System – The MQ must register 18.0 M before turning the valve to fill the
tank. If it doesn’t, do not fill the tank and contact the Lab Manager. The cartridges
are changed about once per year by the Lab Manger
21) Catalogs – The catalog inventory is in alphabetical order. Please keep it that way.
Feel free to put new/updated catalogs on the shelf.
22) Ordering Equipment & Supplies – See “Ordering Info Sheet” below
23) Digital Camera – A digital camera for experiment, procedure, etc. photos is available
from JoAnn Silverstein and the department office.
24) Trash Removal & Recycling
- General Trash – removed by the building janitors on Tuesday & Thursday.
- Glass – to be cleaned first and placed in the white buckets. Removed by the lab
manager when full.
- Paper – Should be placed in blue recycling containers. Lab Manager calls in for
recycling pickup.
- Catalogs & Phone Books – Should be placed next to any blue recycling bin or in
bin in ECCE 128.
- Cans – Should be brought to front entrance recycling bins.
- Cardboard – flatten and bring out to ES&L loading dock for recycling.
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Computers & Other electronics – disposed through Property Services via Lab
Manager.
25) If unable to resolve physical (i.e. lab space) or personal issues with other researchers,
speak with the Lab Manager. [Summers lab researchers talk to Scott].
-
Health & Safety
26) Safety Training – You must take the ES&H “Initial Haz Mat Training Seminar”
waste disposal, lab safety training course before starting work in the lab. Classes are
listed on the ES&H website “http://ehs.colorado.edu/CentralResources/training.html”.
Call them at 492-6025 to schedule classes.
27) Personal protection devices – Safety glasses and lab coats are highly recommended
and are located in the “Lab Safety” drawers. Goggles should also be used when
splash potential exists. Gloves of various types should be used when appropriate. If
you do are unsure of how to handle a specific chemical, find the MSDS sheet and/or
contact the Lab Manager.
28) Glass Disposal – Broken glass goes in designated containers (white buckets) which
are emptied by the Lab Manger.
29) Sharps – Needles, syringes (with and without needles), and knife blades are disposed
of in sharps containers. When full, autoclave if necessary and tag the container with
both a hazardous waste and biohazard tag. Contact the Lab Manager to arrange pickup by ES&H.
30) Hazardous Waste – Generated hazardous waste must be tagged (tags located in the
designated lab safety drawers & see instructions below), placed in the Hazardous
Waste Collection Site and the Lab Manager must be notified. The Lab Manager
notifies ES&H for pick-up.
31) Biohazardous Waste – Biohazardous waste must be autoclaved, placed in the
appropriate waste disposal bag, tagged with a non-biohazardous tag (tags located in
designated lab safety drawers & see instructions below), placed in the Hazardous
Waste Collection Site and the Lab Manager must be notified. The Lab Manager
notifies ES&H for pick-up.
32) Radioactive Sources - If you use radioactive sources (Gas Chromatograph ECD,
etc.), you must be trained and take a short quiz from ES&H. See the Lab Manager.
33) First aid kits, eye wash stations and showers should be accessible and in working
order. If you notice a problem, contact the Lab Manager.
34) Biohazard area in Hernandez Lab – Some researchers in the Hernandez lab work
with biohazards in their clean hoods. Walking by the clean hoods during experiments
can potentially disturb airflow and cause a hazardous situation. Please observe the no
walk zones while researchers are working at these hoods.
35) MSDS Sheets – Material Safety Data Sheets for general use chemicals that have
some potential hazard, and all significantly hazardous substances are located in a
binder in the downstairs lab manager drawer. If you can’t find a particular MSDS
sheet, look on the following websites:
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http://www.hazard.com
http://ull.chemistry.uakron.edu/erd (Vermont site is best)
http://www.MSDSOnline.com
Final Departure
 Clean up all glassware (with a minimum soap&water wash and DI rinse),
instruments and work area
 Distribute all apparatus and chemicals to other researchers that want them
 Ensure all hazardous materials generated are disposed of
 For equipment you were responsible for, familiarize the next person in charge
 Ensure all lab procedures you have are given to the lab manager
Equipment & Experimental Procedures Available
The following procedures are available from the lab manager and are on the Lab website:
@ http://civil.colorado.edu/web/grad/environ/research/northlabs.html
(Note: many of these will include calculation sheets and example data analysis sheets)
 Chlorophyll A – Experimental procedure
 DBP – Calibration standards
 DBP – THM extraction
 DBP – HAA extraction
 DBP – Diazomethane preparation
 DBP – Chlorination
 DBP – Gas Chromatograph use
 DOC – Sievers equipment use & background
 FFF – Equipment use
 General – phosphate buffer preparation
 SEC - Background
 SEC – Equipment use
 UV – Differential UV procedure
 XAD – Background
 XAD – Experimental procedure
 XAD – Resin Cleaning
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Hazardous Waste Tag (Example)
Lab
Phone #
Your
Name
Your
Advisor’s
Name
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Non-Biohazardous Certification Tag (Example)
Your
Advisor’s
Name
Your
Name
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Ordering Info Sheet
Shipping Address:
University of Colorado
Civil Engineering Dept.
ECOT 441
Boulder, CO 80309
University Credit Card
This is by far the easiest to way order supplies and equipment. See Zoe if you want to get your own
University Credit Card.
1) Have bill mailed to:
University of Colorado
Civil Engineering Dept.
Campus Box 428
Boulder, CO 80309
2) Turn receipt into Zoe with your name and account # on it
Purchase Order
1) Obtain purchase order from Zoe, or Wayne if Zoe is not around. You’ll need the estimated cost
and your account #
2) Have bill mailed to:
University of Colorado
Procurement Service Center
Mail Stop F716
P.O. Box 6508
Aurora, CO 80045-0508
3) Turn receipt into Zoe with your name and account # on it
Standing Purchase Order
We have standing purchase orders with some companies.
1) Zoe and Wayne have a list of standing purchase orders. This list may also be in the lab. Note:
these orders expire, so make sure you are using a current #.
2) When ordering, give the Standing Purchase Order # AND your internal account # so Zoe knows
where to bill it to.
3) Have bill mailed to:
University of Colorado
Procurement Service Center
Mail Stop F716
P.O. Box 6508
Aurora, CO 80045-0508
4) Turn receipt into Zoe with your name and account # on it
IN
An IN is required for all departments on campus that do not accept Acards. Obtain an IN from Zoe,
Wayne, or Cyndi. You’ll need your account # and speed type #.
Notes:
 Purchases greater than $3,000.00 require a Purchase Request submitted to Procurement Services
through Zoe
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Helpful Hints for Work in the Lab
 Labeling Glassware – Putting a tab (folded tape) on lab tape for labeling vials etc
makes it much easier for subsequent removal.
 Labeling Glassware – The use of different colored tapes can help designate different
water types, treatments, etc.
 Cleaning Glassware – The general process of cleaning glassware involves 5 steps:
(1) Tap Water presoak
(2) Soap & Hot Tap Water bath and vigorous shaking
(3) Hot Tap Water rinse until all soap is gone (very important!)
(4) DI water rinse to remove tap water
(5) MQ rinse to remove DI water (Note: the DOC of DI water is almost the
same as MQ water, so only one or two rinses is sufficient)
- Note: Acid bath cleaning is necessary for metals analysis. Its use in organic
matter analysis is optional and often depends on how dirty your glassware is and
how difficult it is to clean (e.g. the vigorous shaking of small volumetric flasks has
little effect and acid cleaning may be recommended)
 DOC of laboratory waters:
i) Tap water: ~1 ppm (variable)
ii) DI water: ~100 ppb
iii) MQ water: <100 ppb
 Acid/Base Addition – Concentrated acids & bases often sink to the bottom of the
solution, so be sure to mix by inversion/stir bar.
 Volumetric flasks – Volumetric flasks are made of soft glass and solutions should not
be stored in them due to absorption into the glass.
 Plastic containers – Plastic containers are most often made of low or high density
polyethylene (LDPE or HDPE). HDPE containers are better for storage since they
minimize absorption into the plastic.
 Water Degassing – Cold water degasses when it gets warm. Decreasing the pH
releases CO2 gas. Be aware of this and consider sparging with inert gas if needed.
 Fittings – There are two main types of tubing /pipe fittings. The outside diameter of a
1 inch “tube fitting” measures 1.00 inches. A 1 inch “NPT fitting” measures 1.315
inches. More info on NPT fittings can be found in the Cole-Parmer catalog under
“fittings” or at: http://www.ajfittings.com/performance_charts.htm

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