How to Close or Relocate a UCSD Laboratory

Notify EH&S of your intended move or lab closure 3 weeks prior to your moving day.

• Use the online Laboratory Relocation or Closure Notification form.
  • Important: Timely submittal of the form allows update of records required by granting and regulatory agencies, and will permit continued use of materials, such as radioisotopes, without interruption.

Insurance is required if UCSD Moving Services or an outside moving vendor is used.

Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage:

• List all items and values being moved on an inventory.
• Consult with Risk Management, (858) 534-3820, to determine if inventoried items are appropriately valued and adequately insured.
• Read Does Your Department Have Adequate Insurance Coverage? for more information.

UCSD's Animal Care Program requires information in advance about animals to be imported from other research institutions to assure adherence to UCSD animal health and regulatory requirements. Most animals, especially rodents, imported into UCSD require a quarantine period or rederivation prior to entering a UCSD vivarium. Advanced planning is essential to ensure adequate space and equipment are available for the animals once they arrive.

Arrange animal relocation and imports through the Animal Care Program:

• Contact the Animal Care Program, (858) 534-4262, to arrange an operational meeting to discuss your research needs before beginning a move at or to UCSD.
• Read about the animal acquisitions process on the Animal Care Program Web site.
• For assistance with animal moves and imports, contact the Animal Transfer Coordinator, (858) 822-0083.

Controlled substances (CS) cannot be removed, transferred, or shipped from campus.

• If moving within UCSD, contact the CS Program Manager, (858) 534-1362, to have your new storage locations approved prior to moving.
  Note: CS may be stored at a secure EH&S facility during your move.
• If the lab is closing or moving off campus, contact the CS Program Manager, (858) 534-1362, to arrange return of unused CS and log sheets to EH&S.

Follow specific steps below for transferring, shipping, or disposing of research materials:

• Chemicals: Transfer usable surplus chemicals to new owners or donate them to ChemCycle.
• Radioactive materials: Read How to Transfer Radioactive Materials before transferring or moving radioactive materials.
• Biohazardous materials: Dispose of biohazard waste, including sharps, according to the proper procedure for your building. Check with your lab manager for instructions.
• Read How to Ship Hazardous Materials if you will be sending any of the following materials off campus to a new destination:
  • Hazardous materials
  • Radioactive materials
  • Diagnostic specimens
  • Infectious substances
• Request a hazardous waste collection for hazardous chemical and radioactive materials that can no longer be used.

Never abandon any items in the lab or hallways.

Follow specific steps for decommissioning and disposing of unwanted or damaged research equipment:

• If perchloric acid has been used in the chemical fume hood, notify the EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist for your building.
  • Note: Never use perchloric acid in an inappropriate fashion (e.g., heated in a non wash-down hood). See Chemical Fume Hood Use Guidelines for information on proper fume hood management.
• Decontaminate equipment that has contacted radioactive or biohazard material and get clearance from EH&S before it is sent to Surplus Sales, removed from the lab, or otherwise disposed of.
  • Read How to Get a Decontamination Clearance for Equipment or Facilities.
• Dispose of refrigerators and freezers by requesting a hazardous waste collection.

Decontaminate, clean, and empty the lab space prior to requesting an EH&S final inspection:

• Get decontamination clearance for equipment or facilities that may have come in contact with hazardous biological, chemical, or radioactive materials. Follow specific instructions for hazardous materials below.
• Chemical contamination: Help Facilities Management, contractors, your department, and EH&S stay on schedule by addressing possible chemical contamination well in advance of actual departure of the laboratory space.
  • Contact your EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist if there are any special circumstances or challenges regarding hazardous chemical usage that could make the clearance process more difficult (i.e, improper usage of perchloric acid).
  • Remove benchcoat, disposable liners, and covers from work surfaces and fume hoods.
    • Cut any visable contamination (i.e., stains) from disposable material and bag it separately for hazardous waste disposal.
    • Discard the remaining uncontaminated material in the regular trash.
  • Decontaminate thoroughly any visible chemical contamination.
• Biohazard contamination:
  • Disinfect all work surfaces and biosafety cabinets.
  • Contact your EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist if you have questions regarding decontamination.
• Radioactive contamination:
  • Perform a meter survey and wipe test of work surfaces and equipment to confirm decontamination.
    • Use the Laboratory Survey Sheet (PDF) (Word file) to document the results.
  • Place a copy of the completed survey in the laboratory survey book.
  • If non-removable contamination is found, contact EH&S Radiation Safety, (858) 822-2494.
• General housekeeping:
  • Wash lab benchtops, equipment, and fume hoods with soap and water.
  • After the lab is empty and clean, run water into sinks and floor drains to fill traps.

Request final clearance:

• Contact Environment, Health & Safety at (858) 534-3660 to schedule a clearance survey.
• EH&S will post a green clearance tag (see image below) on the door when the facility is cleared of hazards. This signifies that the equipment is ready to be moved.