ASTM D3856-11(2015)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Management Systems in Laboratories Engaged in Analysis of Water (Withdrawn 2024)
Standard Guide for Management Systems in Laboratories Engaged in Analysis of Water (Withdrawn 2024)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Data on the composition and characteristics of water are frequently used to evaluate the health and safety to humans and the environment.
5.2 Moreover, such data are frequently used for process control or to ascertain compliance with regulatory statutes that place limits on acceptable compositions and characteristics of waters.
5.3 Laboratories that conduct water sampling and generate analytical data, and those persons who have the responsibility for selecting a laboratory to perform water quality studies, need to use criteria, guidelines, and recommendations that have been developed by consensus and are well accepted in making this selection.
5.4 Demonstration and documentation by a laboratory that there was judicious selection and control of organization, facilities, resources, and operations will enhance the credibility of the data produced and promote its acceptance.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides information on consensus good laboratory practices for laboratories that provide services in the sampling and analysis of water. As consensus standards, these are the minimum criteria that all laboratories should consider in establishing their good laboratory practices. This guide may not be applicable to certain types of laboratories (e.g., microbilogical).
1.2 This guide is designed to be used by those responsible for the selection, operation, or control of laboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis of water.
1.3 This guide presents features of organization, facilities, resources, and operations which affect the usefulness of the data generated.
1.4 This guide presents criteria for selection and control of the features described in 1.3 and also makes recommendations for the correction of unacceptable performance.
1.5 This guide describes methodology and practices intended to be completely consistent with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 series of standards and Guide 25 – 1990 (1). 2
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide provides information on consensus good laboratory practices for laboratories that provide services in the sampling and analysis of water. As consensus standards, these are the minimum criteria that all laboratories should consider in establishing their good laboratory practices. This guide may not be applicable to certain types of laboratories (e.g., microbiological).
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee D19 on Water, this guide was withdrawn in January 2024 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3856 − 11 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Guide for
Management Systems in Laboratories Engaged in Analysis
of Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3856; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This guide provides information on consensus good
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
laboratorypracticesforlaboratoriesthatprovideservicesinthe
sampling and analysis of water. As consensus standards, these
2. Referenced Documents
aretheminimumcriteriathatalllaboratoriesshouldconsiderin
2.1 ASTM Standards:
establishing their good laboratory practices. This guide may
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
not be applicable to certain types of laboratories (e.g., micro-
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
bilogical).
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
1.2 This guide is designed to be used by those responsible
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
for the selection, operation, or control of laboratory organiza-
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process
tions engaged in sampling and analysis of water.
Streams
1.3 This guide presents features of organization, facilities,
D3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and
resources, and operations which affect the usefulness of the
for Preservation of Organic Constituents
data generated.
D4210 Practice for Intralaboratory Quality Control Proce-
dures and a Discussion on Reporting Low-Level Data
1.4 This guide presents criteria for selection and control of
(Withdrawn 2002)
the features described in 1.3 and also makes recommendations
D4375 Practice for Basic Statistics in Committee D19 on
for the correction of unacceptable performance.
Water
1.5 This guide describes methodology and practices in-
D4447 Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and
tended to be completely consistent with the International
Samples
Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 series of stan-
D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
dards and Guide 25 – 1990 (1).
D4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
D5172 Guide for Documenting the Standard Operating Pro-
information only.
cedures Used for the Analysis of Water
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E548 Guide for General Criteria Used for Evaluating Labo-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ratory Competence (Withdrawn 2002)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Terminology
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Terminologies D1129, D4375, and E456, Guide E548, and
ASTM MNL 7 (2).
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and is
thedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.02onQualitySystems,Specification,
and Statistics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2015. Published December 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3856 – 11. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D3856-11R15. the ASTM website.
2 4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
this guide. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3856 − 11 (2015)
4. Summary of Guide 6.2.1.1 Establishment of long-term program plans and
shorter term work plans and assignments to meet the program
4.1 This guide describes the criteria, guidelines, and recom-
objectives.
mendations for physical and human resources and data valida-
6.2.1.2 Operation and maintenance of the physical plant
tion for the operation of a laboratory.
(building, equipment, instrumentation, services, etc.).
4.2 Although, philosophically, this guide is intended to
6.2.1.3 Selection, training, and development of personnel.
apply to all analyses of water, there may be certain test
6.2.1.4 Overview and approval of methods of sampling and
methods to which parts of this guide are not applicable due to
analyses.
the nature of the samples, for example, microbiological analy-
6.2.1.5 Oversee development and implementation of a
ses.
Quality Assurance (QA) program to monitor and maintain the
quality of laboratory performance. This includes ensuring staff
5. Significance and Use
participation in appropriate interlaboratory quality control
5.1 Data on the composition and characteristics of water are
activities,intercalibrationchecks,performanceauditprograms,
frequentlyusedtoevaluatethehealthandsafetytohumansand
etc. Such interlaboratory checks are the most effective measure
the environment.
of comparative performance and should demonstrate the worth
of a good QA program to upper management or regulatory
5.2 Moreover, such data are frequently used for process
agencies. A QA program also provides each laboratory staff
control or to ascertain compliance with regulatory statutes that
member with a copy of the QA plan for the laboratory, which
place limits on acceptable compositions and characteristics of
documents responsibilities and kind and frequency of quality
waters.
control checks. The plan should also specify the monitoring
5.3 Laboratories that conduct water sampling and generate
and overview responsibilities of management. This responsi-
analytical data, and those persons who have the responsibility
bility is implemented by the Quality Assuranace Manager or
forselectingalaboratorytoperformwaterqualitystudies,need
Coordinator.
tousecriteria,guidelines,andrecommendationsthathavebeen
6.2.1.6 Establishment of a development and operational
developed by consensus and are well accepted in making this
performance appraisal system for the staff and an individual
selection.
career development plan for each staff member. Performance
5.4 Demonstration and documentation by a laboratory that
standards should be developed and agreed to jointly by each
there was judicious selection and control of organization,
staff member and their supervisor. The director should be
facilities, resources, and operations will enhance the credibility
responsibleforassuringaperiodicreviewofperformanceofall
of the data produced and promote its acceptance.
staff members by supervisors, for rewarding good quality
performance, and for implementing and encouraging on-the-
6. Organization
job or offsite training. This joint development of performance
standards is key to obtaining an understanding between the
6.1 General—The production of reliable data is effected
worker and the supervisor, as to what is expected for satisfac-
through the effort of everyone involved with the service. It is
tory performance. It also paves the way for rewarding out-
paramount, therefore, that personnel have a clear understand-
standing performance or identifying unsatisfactory perfor-
ing of their duties and responsibilities and their relationship to
mance. These standards should be used to evaluate
the product produced. Management has the responsibility for
performance frequently but informally, and formally on a less
defining function and goals as applied to the individual. A
frequent (annual or semiannual) basis.
formal document describing objectives, staff functions and
6.2.2 Quality Assurance Manager or Coordinator—Reports
responsibilities, should be distributed and explained to all staff
directly to the Laboratory Director.
members.
6.2.2.1 Develops and implements the QA Plan as described
6.1.1 The personnel in a laboratory will vary with the
above.
specific functions that are to be served, but minimal qualifica-
6.2.2.2 Investigates any quality issues and reviews on a
tions and duties generally will be as described in 7.2 through
7.3.2. regular basis the quality of all work performed by the labora-
tory.
6.2 Laboratory Director—Must have a BS or BA degree
6.2.2.3 Hoststhirdpartylaboratoryassessmentsandrespon-
with a strong chemistry emphasis and with at least 5 years
sible for seeing that all findings are addressed and corrective
laboratory experience including supervisory roles or equiva-
actions completed.
lent.
6.2.2.4 Implement intra- and inter-laboratory QA perfor-
NOTE 1—The purpose of the equivalent requirement is to allow the
mance testing programs and evaluate results and taking cor-
assignment of persons who have comparable skills obtained through
rective actions as necessary.
qualified training which did not result in the award of a baccalaureate
The laboratory shall have one or more of the following staff
degree. Interpretation of the term equivalent will necessarily require
careful judgment by the user of these guidelines. Certification by or persons responsible for multiple roles.
professional boards is to be encouraged.
6.2.3 Senior Staff—The senior professional staff of the
6.2.1 The laboratory director or manager should be a laboratory conduct the difficult and non-routine sampling and
full-time employee who operates the laboratory with at least analyses, resolve analytical problems, and modify and develop
the responsibilities outlined below. analytical procedures.
D3856 − 11 (2015)
6.2.3.1 Senior staff supervise and assist the technical staff in alsoonmaintainingsuchsamplesascloselyaspossibletotheir
analyses, other laboratory operations and training. original condition through careful handling and storage. If the
sample cannot be analyzed at once, it should be preserved and
6.2.3.2 Senior staff members should have earned a bacca-
laureate degree in science or engineering, with a strong stored as required for the analytes of interest. Recommended
procedures for collecting, transporting and handling water and
chemistry emphasis, from an accredited college or the equiva-
lent (see Note 1) and have at least two years experience at the wastewater samples are described in this guide or in Practices
D3370andD3694.Recommendedchainofcustodyprocedures
bench level in a water laboratory.
6.2.4 Technical Staff—The technical staff are personnel who aredescribedinGuideD4840.Wheneversampleholdingtimes
must be determined, recommended procedures are described in
perform routine and specialized analyses.
Practice D4841.
6.2.4.1 Where appropriate, technical staff members should
have formal training in the analytical methodology, and quality 6.3.4 Ventilation System—Laboratories should be well ven-
control, as applied to the specific sample types and concentra- tilated and free of dust, drafts, and extreme temperature
tion levels of analytes which are of interest to the laboratory. changes. Central air conditioning is recommended because: (1)
6.2.4.2 Technical staff may be required to satisfactorily incoming air is filtered, reducing the likelihood of airborne
laboratory contamination; (2) uniform temperature is condu-
complete analytical tests to qualify initially and to periodically
re-qualify throughout their work career. Qualification should cive to stable operation of instrumentation and equipment; and
(3) low humidity reduces moisture problems with hygroscopic
be based on the generation of analytical results with precision
and bias recovery within limits known to be possible for the chemicals, samples, and corrosion problems with analytical
balances and other instrumentation.
particularmethodandwhichmeetthedatauser’srequirements.
6.2.5 Laboratory Support Staff—The support staff are non- 6.3.4.1 In order for the hoods to be effective in removing
technical workers who perform routine field laboratory ser- fumesandaerosolsfromthelaboratoryenvironment,theymust
vices in support of the professional and technical staff.
be operating at their designed capacity. Proper hood perfor-
6.2.5.1 In the laboratory, they wash glassware, operate mance cannot be assumed. Hoods should be tested periodically
laboratory reagent water systems, autoclaves, drying ovens, for proper air flow by qualified support staff or a professional
and incubators. The support staff also receives, stores, and maintenance contractor. Hoods should not be located in areas
ships samples, materials, and laboratory equipment. of countervailing drafts, such as between two open doors.
Under usual operating conditions, hoods require from 50 to
6.2.6 Offıce Support Staff—The office staff are nontechnical
2 3 2
clerical or secretarial personnel who are trained either on the 125 CFM/ft (15 to 38 (m /min)/m ) of face area. For a more
detailed treatment of ventilation, consult Industrial
job or by formal schooling in computer programs, filing,
Ventilation—A Manual of Recommended Practice (3).
recordkeeping, communications by telephone or personal
visits, payroll, travel, or some combination thereof. 6.3.5 Facilities—Ideally, the areas provided for cleaning of
6.2.6.1 The laboratory or office support staff may be an glasswareandportableequipmentshouldbeseparatedfromthe
integral part of the laboratory or may be provided as part of the laboratory working area but located close enough for conve-
administrative function in a larger organization. nience.
6.3.5.1 Laboratories conducting trace organic analyses
6.3 Physical Resources and Related Operating Procedures:
which use organic solvents in extraction and clean-up proce-
6.3.1 The laboratory environment can significantly affect
dures must separate these activities from analytical instrumen-
the results of water analyses; therefore, the laboratory facility
tation rooms to avoid contamination and reduce hazards.
should be
...
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D3856 − 11 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Guide for
Management Systems in Laboratories Engaged in Analysis
of Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3856; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This guide provides information on consensus good
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
laboratory practices for laboratories that provide services in the
sampling and analysis of water. As consensus standards, these
2. Referenced Documents
are the minimum criteria that all laboratories should consider in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
establishing their good laboratory practices. This guide may
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
not be applicable to certain types of laboratories (e.g., micro-
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
bilogical).
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
1.2 This guide is designed to be used by those responsible
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
for the selection, operation, or control of laboratory organiza-
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process
tions engaged in sampling and analysis of water.
Streams
1.3 This guide presents features of organization, facilities,
D3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and
resources, and operations which affect the usefulness of the
for Preservation of Organic Constituents
data generated.
D4210 Practice for Intralaboratory Quality Control Proce-
dures and a Discussion on Reporting Low-Level Data
1.4 This guide presents criteria for selection and control of
(Withdrawn 2002)
the features described in 1.3 and also makes recommendations
D4375 Practice for Basic Statistics in Committee D19 on
for the correction of unacceptable performance.
Water
1.5 This guide describes methodology and practices in-
D4447 Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and
tended to be completely consistent with the International
Samples
Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 series of stan-
D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
dards and Guide 25 – 1990 (1).
D4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
D5172 Guide for Documenting the Standard Operating Pro-
information only.
cedures Used for the Analysis of Water
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E548 Guide for General Criteria Used for Evaluating Labo-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ratory Competence (Withdrawn 2002)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Terminology
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to
Terminologies D1129, D4375, and E456, Guide E548, and
ASTM MNL 7 (2).
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.02 on Quality Systems, Specification,
and Statistics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2015. Published December 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1988. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3856 – 11. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D3856-11R15. the ASTM website.
2 4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
this guide. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3856 − 11 (2015)
4. Summary of Guide 6.2.1.1 Establishment of long-term program plans and
shorter term work plans and assignments to meet the program
4.1 This guide describes the criteria, guidelines, and recom-
objectives.
mendations for physical and human resources and data valida-
6.2.1.2 Operation and maintenance of the physical plant
tion for the operation of a laboratory.
(building, equipment, instrumentation, services, etc.).
4.2 Although, philosophically, this guide is intended to
6.2.1.3 Selection, training, and development of personnel.
apply to all analyses of water, there may be certain test
6.2.1.4 Overview and approval of methods of sampling and
methods to which parts of this guide are not applicable due to
analyses.
the nature of the samples, for example, microbiological analy-
6.2.1.5 Oversee development and implementation of a
ses.
Quality Assurance (QA) program to monitor and maintain the
quality of laboratory performance. This includes ensuring staff
5. Significance and Use
participation in appropriate interlaboratory quality control
5.1 Data on the composition and characteristics of water are
activities, intercalibration checks, performance audit programs,
frequently used to evaluate the health and safety to humans and
etc. Such interlaboratory checks are the most effective measure
the environment.
of comparative performance and should demonstrate the worth
of a good QA program to upper management or regulatory
5.2 Moreover, such data are frequently used for process
agencies. A QA program also provides each laboratory staff
control or to ascertain compliance with regulatory statutes that
member with a copy of the QA plan for the laboratory, which
place limits on acceptable compositions and characteristics of
documents responsibilities and kind and frequency of quality
waters.
control checks. The plan should also specify the monitoring
5.3 Laboratories that conduct water sampling and generate
and overview responsibilities of management. This responsi-
analytical data, and those persons who have the responsibility
bility is implemented by the Quality Assuranace Manager or
for selecting a laboratory to perform water quality studies, need
Coordinator.
to use criteria, guidelines, and recommendations that have been
6.2.1.6 Establishment of a development and operational
developed by consensus and are well accepted in making this
performance appraisal system for the staff and an individual
selection.
career development plan for each staff member. Performance
5.4 Demonstration and documentation by a laboratory that
standards should be developed and agreed to jointly by each
there was judicious selection and control of organization,
staff member and their supervisor. The director should be
facilities, resources, and operations will enhance the credibility
responsible for assuring a periodic review of performance of all
of the data produced and promote its acceptance.
staff members by supervisors, for rewarding good quality
performance, and for implementing and encouraging on-the-
6. Organization
job or offsite training. This joint development of performance
standards is key to obtaining an understanding between the
6.1 General—The production of reliable data is effected
worker and the supervisor, as to what is expected for satisfac-
through the effort of everyone involved with the service. It is
tory performance. It also paves the way for rewarding out-
paramount, therefore, that personnel have a clear understand-
standing performance or identifying unsatisfactory perfor-
ing of their duties and responsibilities and their relationship to
mance. These standards should be used to evaluate
the product produced. Management has the responsibility for
performance frequently but informally, and formally on a less
defining function and goals as applied to the individual. A
frequent (annual or semiannual) basis.
formal document describing objectives, staff functions and
6.2.2 Quality Assurance Manager or Coordinator—Reports
responsibilities, should be distributed and explained to all staff
directly to the Laboratory Director.
members.
6.2.2.1 Develops and implements the QA Plan as described
6.1.1 The personnel in a laboratory will vary with the
above.
specific functions that are to be served, but minimal qualifica-
tions and duties generally will be as described in 7.2 through 6.2.2.2 Investigates any quality issues and reviews on a
regular basis the quality of all work performed by the labora-
7.3.2.
tory.
6.2 Laboratory Director—Must have a BS or BA degree
6.2.2.3 Hosts third party laboratory assessments and respon-
with a strong chemistry emphasis and with at least 5 years
sible for seeing that all findings are addressed and corrective
laboratory experience including supervisory roles or equiva-
actions completed.
lent.
6.2.2.4 Implement intra- and inter-laboratory QA perfor-
NOTE 1—The purpose of the equivalent requirement is to allow the
mance testing programs and evaluate results and taking cor-
assignment of persons who have comparable skills obtained through
rective actions as necessary.
qualified training which did not result in the award of a baccalaureate
The laboratory shall have one or more of the following staff
degree. Interpretation of the term equivalent will necessarily require
careful judgment by the user of these guidelines. Certification by or persons responsible for multiple roles.
professional boards is to be encouraged.
6.2.3 Senior Staff—The senior professional staff of the
6.2.1 The laboratory director or manager should be a laboratory conduct the difficult and non-routine sampling and
full-time employee who operates the laboratory with at least analyses, resolve analytical problems, and modify and develop
the responsibilities outlined below. analytical procedures.
D3856 − 11 (2015)
6.2.3.1 Senior staff supervise and assist the technical staff in also on maintaining such samples as closely as possible to their
analyses, other laboratory operations and training. original condition through careful handling and storage. If the
6.2.3.2 Senior staff members should have earned a bacca- sample cannot be analyzed at once, it should be preserved and
stored as required for the analytes of interest. Recommended
laureate degree in science or engineering, with a strong
chemistry emphasis, from an accredited college or the equiva- procedures for collecting, transporting and handling water and
wastewater samples are described in this guide or in Practices
lent (see Note 1) and have at least two years experience at the
bench level in a water laboratory. D3370 and D3694. Recommended chain of custody procedures
are described in Guide D4840. Whenever sample holding times
6.2.4 Technical Staff—The technical staff are personnel who
perform routine and specialized analyses. must be determined, recommended procedures are described in
Practice D4841.
6.2.4.1 Where appropriate, technical staff members should
have formal training in the analytical methodology, and quality 6.3.4 Ventilation System—Laboratories should be well ven-
control, as applied to the specific sample types and concentra- tilated and free of dust, drafts, and extreme temperature
tion levels of analytes which are of interest to the laboratory. changes. Central air conditioning is recommended because: (1)
incoming air is filtered, reducing the likelihood of airborne
6.2.4.2 Technical staff may be required to satisfactorily
complete analytical tests to qualify initially and to periodically laboratory contamination; (2) uniform temperature is condu-
cive to stable operation of instrumentation and equipment; and
re-qualify throughout their work career. Qualification should
be based on the generation of analytical results with precision (3) low humidity reduces moisture problems with hygroscopic
chemicals, samples, and corrosion problems with analytical
and bias recovery within limits known to be possible for the
particular method and which meet the data user’s requirements. balances and other instrumentation.
6.2.5 Laboratory Support Staff—The support staff are non- 6.3.4.1 In order for the hoods to be effective in removing
technical workers who perform routine field laboratory ser- fumes and aerosols from the laboratory environment, they must
vices in support of the professional and technical staff. be operating at their designed capacity. Proper hood perfor-
6.2.5.1 In the laboratory, they wash glassware, operate mance cannot be assumed. Hoods should be tested periodically
laboratory reagent water systems, autoclaves, drying ovens, for proper air flow by qualified support staff or a professional
and incubators. The support staff also receives, stores, and maintenance contractor. Hoods should not be located in areas
ships samples, materials, and laboratory equipment. of countervailing drafts, such as between two open doors.
6.2.6 Offıce Support Staff—The office staff are nontechnical Under usual operating conditions, hoods require from 50 to
2 3 2
125 CFM/ft (15 to 38 (m /min)/m ) of face area. For a more
clerical or secretarial personnel who are trained either on the
detailed treatment of ventilation, consult Industrial
job or by formal schooling in computer programs, filing,
Ventilation—A Manual of Recommended Practice (3).
recordkeeping, communications by telephone or personal
visits, payroll, travel, or some combination thereof.
6.3.5 Facilities—Ideally, the areas provided for cleaning of
6.2.6.1 The laboratory or office support staff may be an glassware and portable equipment should be separated from the
integral part of the laboratory or may be provided as part of the laboratory working area but located close enough for conve-
administrative function in a larger organization. nience.
6.3.5.1 Laboratories conducting trace organic analyses
6.3 Physical Resources and Related Operating Procedures:
which use organic solvents in extraction and clean-up proce-
6.3.1 The laboratory environment can significantly affect
dures must separate these activities from analytical instrumen-
the results of water analyses; therefore, the laboratory facility
tation rooms to avoid contamination and reduce hazards.
should be carefully desi
...
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