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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Estimating Teaching Lab Occupancy Date: Monday, December 11, 2017 at 8:44:37 AM Author: Jeffrey Lewin <jclewin**At_Symbol_Here**MTU.EDU> |
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Motz, L. L., Biehle, J. T., West, S. S., & Biehle, J. T. (2007). NSTA guide to planning school science facilities.
Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.
The second author on this book is Sandra West-Moody. It is a great resource not only for showing what the specifications should be, but for providing
guidance on how to get there. Included also are photos of lab spaces that show unsafe features (and sure enough, I found myself nodding, thinking "yep, got one of those rooms saw that at two of my schools etc").
The other thing to consider regarding safer class size: this is determined by the needs of the students (i.e. students with gross motor challenges
may need more than 50 ft2) as well as the layout of the room. Many science rooms in schools have been retro-fitted, sometimes from a room unrelated to science. Also, Dr. Finster's final sentence is key: K-12 students (especially grades 6-10)
sometimes use excruciatingly poor judgement in laboratory situations, even with all the safety training a schedule will allow. Add to that fact that from a school administrator point of view, science needs are far too often considered to be equivalent to
math, social studies, or English needs books, some manipulatives. The person doing the scheduling is
rarely if ever a science person.
Eddie McGrath
Edward J. McGrath
Supervisor of Science
Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 552-3768
We did not inherit the Earth from our parents. We borrowed it from our children.
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU]
On Behalf Of Jeffrey Lewin
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2017 8:45 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Estimating Teaching Lab Occupancy
An excerpt from the publication in Dr. Roy's earlier post:
Class size Stephenson et al. (2003) and West and Kennedy (2014) identified that increased class enrollment significantly affected the number of accidents in the secondary science classroom (see Figure 1). Most accidents occur in classrooms
with an enrollment of greater than 24 students (Stephenson et al., 2003 and West and Kennedy, 2013). Major problems with overcrowding include two issues: the teacher's ability to supervise a large number of students doing science activities and the amount
of individual workspace per student. Overcrowding in regards to supervision likely affect a teacher's ability to properly manage and oversee their classroom and, therefore, may prevent the adequate supervision of students conducting science activities.
Accidents Increase as Class Size Increases (p<0.001)
[See document for figure]
The document continues on:
Workspace per student Stephenson et al. (2003) and West and Kennedy (2014) also identified a statistically significant correlation between space per student and the frequency of incidents and accidents in the science classroom (See Figure
2). Students conducting science activities often work with equipment and chemicals/biologicals/physicals that pose safety risks, especially if not handled properly. Handling science equipment and chemicals safely requires sufficient individual work space.
Space per student is not simply an issue of room size, but rather, the number of students within the space. A smaller classroom may have sufficient space per student if the class enrollment is small; likewise, a large classroom may not have sufficient space
per student if the class enrollment is too large.
Figure 2 Accidents Increase as Space/Student Decreases (Elbow Space) (p<0.001)
[See document for figures]
On Sun, Dec 10, 2017 at 2:05 PM David C. Finster <dfinster**At_Symbol_Here**wittenberg.edu> wrote:
FYI, when we built new teaching labs about a decade ago, we designed our general chemistry labs spaces to hold 32 students. (Part of the reason for this is that we enjoy the circumstance of having the same faculty instructor in the class and in the lab with the same group of students - which has tremendous educational value. This is obviously not possible at large universities with very different staffing models.) And, we have a faculty member (NOT a graduate TA who may or may not have the necessary, or ideal, teaching skills and safety attitudes as a faculty member) and an undergraduate TA in the lab for all lab sessions. And, we excellent sight lines to all 32 students from almost every location in the lab. And, we have an excellent pre-lab safety program that uses one of my favorite lab safety textbooks (!) including online, pre-lab safety quizzes and discussions and a comprehensive safety exam at the end of the semester. Any single guideline for "students/teaching lab" cannot take into all circumstances of a laboratory (safety) program. That said, I understand the desire for such a guideline, and 24-25 seems like a good starting point.
I have greater concerns about lab size/occupancy in high school labs where, at the very least, student maturity is less than that for college students. I have the impression that high school administrators sometimes bring great pressure to bear on expanding class (lab) sizes and we need to support HS chemistry teachers as they very reasonably resist such expansions based solely on safety concerns.
Dave
David C. Finster
Professor, Department of Chemistry
University Chemical Hygiene Officer
Wittenberg University
937-327-6441
http://userpages.wittenberg.edu/dfinster/index.html
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Pam
Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2017 11:21 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Estimating Teaching Lab Occupancy
Would you have a complete citation or a copy you could send me?
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> on behalf of James Kaufman <jim**At_Symbol_Here**LABSAFETY.ORG>
Sent: Saturday, December 9, 2017 6:07 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Estimating Teaching Lab Occupancy
Some of the best research that has been done on the relationship between both class room size and the student teacher ratio with the frequency and severity of accidents was done by Dr. Sandra West-Moody in the Biology Department at Texas State San Marcos. ... Jim
President/CEO
The Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI)
A Nonprofit Educational Organization for Safety in Science, Industry, and Education192 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760-2252
508-647-1900 Fax: 508-647-0062
Cell: 508-574-6264 Res: 781-237-1335
Skype: labsafe; 508-319-1225jim**At_Symbol_Here**labsafety.org www.labsafety.org
Teach, Learn, and Practice Science Safely
On Sat, Dec 9, 2017 at 5:37 PM, Bruce Van Scoy <bvanscoy**At_Symbol_Here**twc.com> wrote:
Laurence,
Thank you for your observations based upon your experience. I can only comment on the experiences that I observed.
But, you presented different perspectives that were equally, if not more significant than those that I experienced.
In my case, I don't remember the architect stamping all pages of the design with his license.
We had meetings, minutes with coordination/sign-off of the minutes following the meetings. But in the end, we were left with prints that were "as designed" (equivalent to a Cadillac), not corrected to as-built which was equivalent to a Chevet. The long-term observation is which is more important?
I am surprisingly amazed that you were able to be involved in the contract requirements. Very well done!
BruceV
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Laurence Doemeny
Sent: Saturday, December 9, 2017 1:16 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Estimating Teaching Lab Occupancy
I agree with everything that Bruce said in his reply to me.
Let me add a few comments based on my experience.
Make sure the architect has stamped all pages of the design with his license.
Be present at all discussions with the architect and engineers.
Get your critical needs addressed in the contract to avoid expensive contract modifications.
Be present on the walkthrough inspection when developing the punch- list prior to the final inspection and sign-off.
Laurence Doemeny
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Bruce Van Scoy
Sent: Friday, December 8, 2017 3:15 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Estimating Teaching Lab Occupancy
Laurence,
Prudent Practices was significantly revised in 2011 and is still available free from NAP.edu and maintained a basic requirement (see section 9.B or pg. 213 or 9.C/pg. 219) for ventilation. But Prudent Practices is to basic to be useful for design and you can't rely on NFPA for occupational exposure control, their emphasis is fire prevention.
I strongly recommend following ACGIH's Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice for Design, 29th Edition ALONG with Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice for Operation and Maintenance, also 29th edition.
I would also strongly recommend that if an architect acts as specified below, DOCUMENT, with citations AND copies to your attorney at every step .
And, oh by the way, if one happens to mention "value engineering" ensure that EHS has to sign off on ALL design changes in the contract language UP FRONT. Otherwise, a design may turn into a bait and switch with significant differences between as designed v. as built. Also, make sure they are keeping up with the as-built drawings. You could find yourself looking at specifications/prints later that are totally inaccurate.
Just my personal opinions,
BruceV
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Laurence Doemeny
Sent: Friday, December 8, 2017 4:54 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Estimating Teaching Lab Occupancy
This citation is probably dated but it is a good starting point. the book has a chapter on laboratory design.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU] On Behalf Of Melissa Anderson
Sent: Friday, December 8, 2017 9:33 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Estimating Teaching Lab Occupancy
Hi DCHAS colleagues,
Does anyone know the best way to estimate occupancies for college teaching labs based on square footage and the exact sources for those estimates? I've seen several sources state 50 ft2 and cite the NFPA but I'm having trouble figuring out how to locate that specific information in the fire code.
Also, does anyone know if that refers to gross or net (i.e. after benches/hoods/etc.) square footage?
If you want some context- I've include all the drama-laden details below.
Thanks,
Melissa Anderson
Instructor, Pasadena City College
Details for context (Warning: drama-ahead!):
We're getting a new science building to replace our old building that was condemned for seismic issues. We just found out a month ago that the plans for the building were somehow finalized at the state chancellor's office without anyone's knowledge and that the submitted plans were designed in-house by someone in facilities rather than an actual architect. Based on our analysis, the new building will drop our lab enrollment capacity to almost 75% of what we can currently manage, which is 70% of what we where historically offering before our old building was condemned. (There are other issues, including that its five stories with one elevator.) We've been told very firmly that we can not make any changes to the building without losing our spot in the funding queue. (We're fine with this, the district board is not.)
When we talked to the architects about the square footage issue, they claimed that egress was the only issue for teaching lab occupancy and that they were unfamiliar with the 50 ft2/student value we were citing. [The architects were also rather mysteriously chosen since they didn't appear as one of the finalists selected by the committee. We've found several news articles about lawsuits involving code violations by this firm.)
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--
Jeff Lewin
Chemical Safety Officer
Compliance, Integrity, and Safety
Environmental Health and Safety
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI 49931
O 906-487.3153
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