Debbie,

Are the vacuum lines to be removed, replaced or relocated?  Or just stubbed then reconnected?  Personnel need be concerned only about decon at their point of manipulation – meaning the vac lines to be handled in the project as opposed to all portio ns of the interconnected system.

Were the “house va c” lines used to suction off solvents?  (I wouldn’t expect solvent residues in the vacuum lines, but watch the pump oil.)

Were the vac lines used to apply suction to apparatus involving mercury or osmium tetroxide?  Look for amalgams / corrosion along the lines, and pitting at fittings and pump (for the former) or powder blockages at valves or couplings (for the latter).

Just some quick thoughts – not exhaustive! 

-Nick< /p>

Debbie,

What kinds of vacuum lin es are these (glass?) and what was the chemistry that as done in them?  If gl ass, and “high vacuum” work was done in these then it seems to me th at the likelihood of any residual chemicals is small.  Knowing the histor y here would make the difference in how to process.  When I worked on high-vac lines (which were typically kept a “high vacuum” all o f the time except when in use) I would have guessed that the worst thing that would be in the line would be air (!) if the system was not still under vacuum.   Under these circumstances the flush with soapy water wo uld be unnecessary, but surely safe and prudent. 

Dave 

Hi Gang:

A project manager has just asked me for some sort of c learance/cleaning procedure for vacuum lines in a lab renovation project.  I’m inclined to tell them to flush out the lines with hot soapy water, rinse thoroughly and then set about whatever they need to do to remove/reconfigur e the vacuum system.

Anybody else have any other bright ideas?

As always, they’re under construction and this r equest will be holding up progress <sigh>.

Thanks,

Debbie

-------------------------

Debbie M. Decker, Campus Chemical Safety Officer
Environmental Health and Safety
University of California, Davis
1 Shields Ave.
Davis, CA  95616
(530)754-7964/(530)752-4527 (FAX)
dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu
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