Lessons Learned from Labs21—Retrofitting of Chemistry Laboratories at the University of Toronto

Mike Dymarski, University of Toronto

The Lash Miller Chemistry Building at the University of Toronto was built in 1963. An addition, the Davenport Research Wing was built in 2000. In total the building comprises almost 300,000 square feet of research and teaching laboratories plus administrative offices. There are presently over 400 fume hoods in the building, consisting of both CAV and VAV hoods. The air handling system in the original Lash Miller Building and teaching wing is over 45 years old.

Recent laboratory renovations have been challenging. Lessons learned from case studies presented in previous Labs21 conferences and documented on the Labs21 website have been incorporated into new laboratory construction. For example:

  • Cascading air systems have been incorporated into two laboratory renovations using clean exhaust air from administrative office and a student lounge as supply air for the laboratories.
  • Reduced-velocity fume hoods have been incorporated into new laboratory design. This has reduced supply air requirement and conditioning by 33 percent with a subsequent dollar savings in heating and cooling.
  • Lighting has been upgraded to more energy-efficient fixtures controlled by occupancy sensors.

These case studies will be presented along with goals for the future.

Biography:

Mike Dymarski holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Western Ontario and is also an alumnus of the University of Toronto.

He worked for Ontario Hydro/Ontario Power Generation for 29 years working at several facilities in the Nuclear Division in the area of nuclear station chemistry and project management. He joined the University of Toronto in the fall of 2006, where he holds the position of technical and administrative manager, chief administrative officer in the department of chemistry.

In his position, he is responsible for providing technical and administrative advice and support to the 45 chemistry faculty at the university. This involves day-to-day activities and projects as well as some long-term planning for the department. Working closely with the department chair, Mr. Dymarski interfaces with world-class chemical researchers, ensuring they have the necessary facilities and equipment to carry out their work.

He has overseen the completion of phase 2 of an $11 million undergraduate laboratory renovation project, which has transformed these facilities to state-of-the-art teaching laboratories. He has also been involved in the renovation of several research laboratories and facilities in the department.

Mr. Dymarski also teaches nuclear plant chemistry to senior class engineering students.