Research Facility Decommissioning
Research facility directors (faculty/lab managers/supervisors) must ensure that their vacated space is cleared for unrestricted future use (i.e. are free of all chemical, biological, and radioactive materials and hazardous equipment) when:
- Leaving U-M space
- Moving to a different U-M space (another building or lab within the same building complex)
- Electing to permanently terminate the use of radioactive material
Research personnel are responsible for ensuring proper removal of all hazardous materials until the space is officially designated as being decommissioned. EHS must verify that the decommissioned space is ready for re-occupancy or renovation.
The Checklist for Decommissioning a Laboratory identifies the decommissioning tasks that must be completed as part of the laboratory decommissioning process. If you are also terminating the use of radioactive materials, you must also complete the decommissioning tasks listed in the Checklist to Terminate Using Radioactive Materials. For more information, refer to the Laboratory Decommissioning guideline. Lab directors will be notified of the results of the final inspections by RHS, Biological Safety, and RSS.
NOTE: If you are renovating any laboratory or intended laboratory space, complete the Laboratory Space Modification Form prior to starting the renovation project.
Documents Needed When Leaving a Laboratory
| DOCUMENT | PURPOSE |
|---|---|
| Request Laboratory Decommissioning Inspection | Alerts EHS that a lab director is leaving a laboratory. |
| Laboratory Equipment Owner Decontamination Form | Indicates to personnel servicing or moving your equipment that it has been cleaned and is free of contamination. If the equipment is not a biological safety cabinet or has not been exposed to radioactive material, complete the form, sign it, and attach it to the equipment. If the equipment is a biological safety cabinet or has been exposed to radioactive material, complete the appropriate sections and obtain authorization before servicing or moving. |
| Declaration of Surplus Form | Tracks the location of surplus equipment. Required by Property Disposition at the time of delivery of the item. |
| U-M HVAC Refrigerant Containing Appliance Service Form | Tracks refrigerant-containing equipment (refrigerators, freezers) per EPA regulations. Required by U-M Plant AC Shop for unwanted or surplus equipment. NOTE: Refer to the EHS Refrigerant Management page for a list of tracked refrigerants. |
Laboratory Equipment Owner Decommissioning
The Laboratory Equipment Owner Decontamination Form notifies personnel that equipment has been cleaned and is free of contamination. If the equipment is not a biological safety cabinet or has not been exposed to radioactive material, complete the form, sign it, and attach it to the equipment.
If the equipment is a biological safety cabinet or has been exposed to radioactive material, complete the required sections of the form and obtain authorization or clearance before the equipment can be serviced or moved.
Equipment Maintenance or Disposing of Surplus Equipment
After equipment maintenance, contact the appropriate EHS program to schedule re-certification for laboratory use:
- Biological Safety: [email protected]
- Laboratory Safety: [email protected]
- Radiation Safety: [email protected]
Contact the following departments for proper disposal of unwanted or surplus equipment:
- Biological Safety: [email protected] – authorize biological safety cabinets for disposal
- Radiation Safety: [email protected] – authorize equipment used to store or analyze radioactive materials (refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, etc.) for disposal
- Property Disposition: (734) 764-2470 – collect unwanted/surplus equipment
- Facilities Maintenance, AC Shop: (734) 647-2059 – remove refrigerant from unwanted refrigerators. Refer to the Refrigerants page for proper management instructions.
