Cornell University Lab Design Standard Revision

Ellen Sweet, Cornell University

Achieving energy efficiency in research labs is a challenge to be met both through the design process and the operation of a facility. Often the energy goals compete with the needs of the occupants or with health and safety. The design of new facilities should have an approach that balances health and safety while allowing operational adjustments to advance energy reduction goals. In writing a revision to the Cornell Lab Design Standard, stakeholders were included to produce a document that allows for flexibility in the ventilation systems, includes changes to the ANSI Z9.5 Standard and maintains the health and safety of the occupants. This presentation discusses the process we went through and highlights the changes that were made to the Standard to meet all needs.

Learning Objectives

  • Learn how to apply flexible lab ventilation design strategies that meet sustainability goals, code requirements, and maintain occupant health and safety.
  • Formulate methods for designing lab ventilation systems that consider chemical safety priorities and ventilation effectiveness in order to safely reduce airflow volumes.
  • Communicate sustainable lab ventilation design strategies that support energy conservation goals of owners without increasing project costs.

Biography:

Ellen Sweet has a Master's degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in EHS Management and is a Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer. She had over 10 years of lab experience as a technician and lab manager before joining the Research Safety Section at Cornell in 2010. Ellen is responsible for the Laboratory Ventilation Management Program (LVMP) which is a comprehensive management system that balances health and safety with energy conservation strategies for research and teaching labs.

 

Note: I2SL did not edit or revise abstract or biography text. Abstracts and biographies are displayed as submitted by the author(s).