All hazardous materials and residues must be removed from lab equipment that will be disposed or resold as surplus property. Do not open (disassemble) internal compartments of equipment for decontamination. If the internal compartments of a piece of equipment are contaminated with chemical, radiological or biological material, label or tag the equipment as potentially hazardous and contact EH&S for further assistance.

Contact Surplus Property Sales as soon as practical to arrange for the sale and transfer of surplus equipment. When the equipment is ready for pick up, prepare a certificate with your department’s letterhead addressed to the Associate Director, Property Management Office stating that you have decontaminated the equipment designated for resale in accordance with these guidelines. Include a serial number or other unique equipment identifier on the certificate.

See additional information on property management requirements on the DoResearch website.

• Equipment must be emptied, drained and cleaned of all chemical or radiological residues and disinfected of any biological materials.
• A certificate of disinfection from the University’s contracted vendor is mandatory for Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs).
• A terminal radiation survey and defacing of radioactive labels by EH&S Health Physics is mandatory for any equipment that was used with radiological materials.
• Prior to disposal, fluids such as refrigerants and pump oils must be drained and recycled by facilities or a vendor. Fluids integral to the equipment’s operation, such as refrigerant, need not be removed if the equipment will be resold as surplus.
• Lab equipment, such as ovens, furnaces, heating mantles, hot pads and mitts may be insulated with asbestos and cannot be resold. Contact the EH&S Asbestos Program at (650) 723-0486 for evaluation and disposal of these items.
• Other potential hazardous components such as mercury thermometers or manometers must be removed prior to disposal or surplus unless the equipment will be resold and the component is integral to its operation.
• Sealed radioactive sources in liquid scintillation counters and other equipment must be removed by the EH&S Health Physics Program prior to disposal or surplus. The Health Physics Program will arrange shipment of the source to the buyer for equipment that will be resold.
• The Department Property Administrator (DPA) must update capital equipment inventory through the on-line Stanford Property Administration Resource Center (SPARC).