Title:  Safety First: Evaluating and Designing Laboratory Space – Grade Nine

Download of lab planning info: Evaluating and Designing Laboratory Space – Grade Nine

Author & Source: Ohio Department of Education

Please see below an excerpt from this article…

Design Scenario #2: Decide which safety features should be incorporated into your laboratory space considering the needs of your lab.

a. Determine the appropriate square footage and shape of your room, the number of laboratory stations needed and the desired organization. Select appropriate laboratory furniture. (Is the laboratory space a separate room? Is the laboratory space along the perimeter or circular? What is the ideal classroom size?)

b. Produce a scale floor drawing of your laboratory design along with a description of the safety features and references to applicable safety codes and regulations.

c. Test your design by producing an outline of a full-scale lab station to evaluate the actual use of space. Outline the lab station on the floor using masking tape or chalk.

Evaluate your design using the following questions as a guide:

1) Is there enough space between lab groups?

2) Is the safety equipment located in an area that is easily accessible from all areas of the room?

3) Is there flexibility in the lab design to provide for class size increases?

4) Does the design provide flexibility for increased technology (locations away from sinks, ample outlets and computer drops)?

Tags: Designing Laboratory Space, Evaluating Laboratory Space, Laboratory Planning, Science Lab Design, Science Lab Planning