Full Lab Shutdown

• Develop a plan to protect equipment, materials and research from damage and prevent hazardous conditions. All personnel should be trained in shutting down equipment
• Develop shut down procedures and detailed instructions for: 
  • Hazardous materials including chemicals, biologicals or radioactive materials
  • Freezers, refrigerators and critical research equipment that should be plugged into red emergency electrical outlets
  • Equipment with specific power down or restart procedures after an outage.  (e.g. NMRs, Hi-voltage Equipment, etc)
  • Gas cylinders that supply critical equipment and should not be closed (e.g. cylinders that supply a glove box)
• If experimental animals are in use, make sure animals are secured and unable to escape before evacuation 
  • For long-duration incidents contact the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) ASAP to: 
    • Report any missing animals
    • Return animals to DLAM
    • Receive guidance on procedures to ensure animal safety
• Ensure laboratory contacts for emergencies are up to date
• Update NFPA 704 (fire diamond) at least once a year
• Ensure critical research data is backed up or in the cloud
• Have at least one emergency flashlight in each lab
• Laboratory shut down procedures should be reviewed and updated with the laboratory staff periodically. 

If it is safe to do so, perform the following steps:

• Close chemical fume hood sashes
• Label, store and secure hazardous materials in safe compartments
• Shut off gas valves and secure gas cylinders, except those servicing critical equipment
• Confirm proper ventilation for cryogenic liquids
• Check pressure-, temperature-, air- or moisture-sensitive materials and equipment. Reactions in progress may need to be terminated
• Water-reactive materials should be placed in sealed containers and stored in areas that are unlikely to be wet
• Unplug all electrical devices (specifically those that generate heat)
• Seal/close and plug all refrigerators, freezers, incubators and other essential equipment into red emergency power outlets
• Exit the laboratory and lock the door. Report all critical systems that need immediate power supply to Facilities Management (FM)
• If the situation allows, dispose of all wastes:
  • Dispose of regular trash that may rot
  • Prepare chemical wastes by properly labeling and storing waste containers
  • Collect biohazard and medical wastes. Add bleach to disinfect any cultures or waste collected in aspiration flasks before leaving lab.