Facilities+Section

//(see notes for this section)//

=FACILITIES=

The laboratory experience must be an integral part of any meaningful chemistry program. At least thirty percent of instructional time should be devoted to laboratory work. As part of their commitment to the chemistry program, school and district administrators need to provide adequate funds for purchase and maintenance of laboratory equipment and supplies,and to maintain safe facilities and practices necessary for teaching chemistry as a laboratory science.

**FUNDING**
Expenditures are required in the following areas: 1. Purchase of chemicals and other expendable supplies, such as glassware, in sufficient quantity to permit all students to participate in laboratory work. 2. Provide facilities and equipment necessary for the safe, secure and lockable storage of chemicals. 3. Allocate funds for proper disposal of chemicals and chemical waste. 4. Purchase, maintenance, and periodic replacement of nonexpendable laboratory equipment, such as balances and other electronic devices. 5. Provide periodic inspection and maintenance to ensure the proper function of laboratory gas, water sources, electrical outlets, ventilation fans, fire extinguishers, and fume hoods, following state and local standards and codes.

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THE LABORATORY
The laboratory should be constructed and equipped in a manner which will permit students to have a significant, safe, and rewarding laboratory experience. 1. The laboratory should consist of stations with continuous access to gas, water, and electricity (sufficient to operate hot plates). Counter tops should be heat and chemical resistant, drains should resist corrosion. Cut-off valves for gas, water and electricity should be easily accessible and clearly labeled. Hot plates should be used as an alternative to Bunsen burners in appropriate experiments. 2. The laboratory must be large enough to permit the students to work safety. All parts of the laboratory must be visible and readily accessible to the teacher. 3. Laboratory stations should be provided in sufficient numbers so that ideally no more than two students are required to share a station. 4. The laboratory should have: a. at least two unobstructed exits. b. a two-way communication system with school office in case of emergency. c. sufficient lighting to permit detailed chemical observations. 5. Teacher demonstration table and areas for dispensing chemicals should be heat and chemical resistant. The laboratory must have adequate safety equipment in readily accessible locations consistent with state and other guidelines. All of this equipment must be inspected on an established schedule. Safety equipment in the laboratory should include: a. approved fire extinguishers, b. a safety shower, c. a plumbed eye-wash facility, d. a supply of fresh air (ventilation fans), e. an externally vented fume hood f. an automatic smoke detector and fire alarm g. a set of student indirectly-vented or unvented OSHA-approved chemical safety goggles and aprons h. a fire blanket i. a goggle sterilizing cabinet

The classroom should have adequate seating for the entire class in an area separate from the laboratory. 1. The classroom should be equipped with a large chalk- or white board, bulletin board and display area for student work, and a permanently mounted periodic table. 2. Facilities for using audiovisual materials should be easily accessible for classroom use. 3. Classrooms which incorporate a laboratory area should not be used by non-science classes. = =
 * THE CLASSROOM**

CHEMICAL PREPARATION AREA
An area should be available where the teacher may prepare solutions and other experimental materials. This facility should be separate and secure (lockable, keyed separately from the classroom), laboratory, and teacher’s office. The preparation area should be equipped with gas, hot and cold water, electrical outlets, and should be provided with the same safety equipment as the student laboratory (see above). In schools with more than one chemistry teacher, the facility should be large enough to accommodate the needs of all the chemistry staff simultaneously.

1. Chemicals should be stored in one location on campus in a secure and well-ventilated locked area convenient to the laboratory. Students and staff not trained in handling chemicals should not have access to the chemical storage area. Access to the chemical storage area should be limited to teachers who have been trained to handle hazardous waste. 2. All chemicals should be stored in chemically compatible families, not in alphabetical order. (Appropriate storage systems can be obtained from Flinn and Fisher Scientific and other sources). 3. Chemicals ordered should be sufficient for 1 - 2 years’ use only. Smaller quantities, although often more expensive per gram, are less expensive over the life of the chemical when chemical disposal is factored in, and potential accidents involving large quantities of chemicals can be prevented. In addition, dilutions should be purchased, if possible, rather than concentrated acids and bases. Chemicals offered as "gift chemicals" from industries or other institutions should not be accepted. 4. Sturdy shelving with shelf lips to prevent liquid spills should be provided for the storage of chemicals. 5. Special cabinets (acid and flammable cabinets) meeting state and local safety regulations should be available for the storage of volatile, flammable, and corrosive materials. Freestanding cabinets should be bolted to the wall, cupboard doors should be secured at all times, and shelves should have earthquake guards. Equipment susceptible to damage by corrosive fumes should be stored in a secure place separate from the chemical storage area. 6. Because many chemicals require special handling and storage, the unpacking of materials for use in chemistry classes should be overseen by the chemistry teacher. Chemicals should be dated upon receipt. 7. There must be an inventory of all chemicals in the storage area and the list of chemicals should be made available to the school facility administrator. In case of emergency, the school administration and fire department should know the location of the flammable liquid and hazardous chemical storage and have immediate access to this area. 8. Refrigerators and other storage and preparation areas should be used only for science class and laboratory preparation, not for food.
 * STORING CHEMICALS AND EQUIPMENT**

Every effort should be made to use the safest possible materials in the chemistry laboratory, thus minimizing hazardous chemical waste. Attention should be given to incorporating new, safer procedures (including small-scale and green chemistry), and recycling into laboratory experiments. When chemicals must be disposed of, they should be collected by chemical class in an appropriate place and disposed of according to state and local codes and school district policies.
 * HANDLING CHEMICAL WASTE**

Computers, audiovisual materials, books, and journals should be available to supplement the teaching of chemistry in the classroom and laboratory. 1. There should be one copy of each required textbook (and one laboratory manual, if used) for each enrolled student. 2. An up-to-date collection of science books, journals, and magazines should be available in the classroom or school library. 3. Charts and models should be placed in the classroom. 4. Computers and lab probe ware play an increasingly important role in the acquisition and processing of experimental data, modeling, and individualized instruction. However, because chemistry is an experimental science, //computer simulations of experiments can never be satisfactory substitutes for hands-on laboratory experience.//
 * INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS**

Because of their classroom and laboratory experience, chemistry teachers can provide useful insights into the requirements of a good chemistry teaching facility. In the planning and construction of such facilities, school administrators should take advantage of this expertise. 1. The chemistry teacher should be involved in all phases of planning for the construction or remodeling of chemistry teaching facilities. 2. Outside experts, such as industrial hygienists or academic safety officers, should serve as consultants to ensure that the planned facilities meet appropriate standards for safety and convenience. 3. The chemistry teacher should be permitted to make periodic inspections of chemistry teaching facilities under construction. The administration should give special consideration to the teacher’s recommendations for the improvement of facilities. //(see notes for this section)//
 * CONSTRUCTING AND RENOVATING FACILITIES**