Course Description:
Recorded at AIHce EXP 2023

Ventilation is a defense mechanism to mitigate airborne hazards produced during research activities in laboratories. Laboratory ventilation systems can fall victim to ineffective operation, posing a risk to researchers. This presentation outlines how laboratory professionals can employ a Smart Labs program to plan, assess, optimize, and manage high-performance laboratories. This includes: 1) piloting a laboratory ventilation risk assessment for identifying airborne hazards; and 2) informing dynamic demand-based ventilation to enhance laboratory safety and energy efficiency. Topics to be discussed include: a) conducting a laboratory ventilation risk assessment; b) performing a series of laboratory surveys; c) assigning each laboratory characteristic with a risk control band; and d) a demonstration on the use of the Laboratory Ventilation Risk Assessment Tool (Smart Labs Toolkit). This tool guides users through the steps of a laboratory ventilation risk assessment and provides ASHRAE laboratory ventilation design levels to calculate recommended air change rates based on the laboratory's risk assessment.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Recognize the benefits of implementing a Smart Labs program.
• Enhance the efficacy of laboratory ventilation systems.
• Strengthen the health and safety of laboratory staff.
• Perform a laboratory ventilation risk assessment.
• Define the role industrial hygienists have in the efficiency of labs.
• Discuss the importance of ventilation best practices in laboratories.
• Implement an effective Smart Labs program.  
• Manage energy consumption and carbon emissions in lab activities.
• Recognize the impact facility operations have on climate change .
• Assess lower operating costs for laboratory ventilation systems.

Contact Hours:
1

Presentation Date:
05/23/2023

Presenters:
Tom Smith
Rachel Romero