High School Science Lab Renovations

This was an interior rehabilitation of nineteen (19) Chicago Public Schools science laboratories. Each school has an average of six laboratories to work with. This was divided as follows: two biology laboratories, two physics and two chemistry laboratories. A total of 114 laboratories were involved.



Life safety involved the installation of a safety center with emergency shower in Chemistry laboratories while an emergency eyewash was installed in both Biology and Physics laboratories. The extent of equipment was the complete overhaul of all utilities such as gas, water and electricity to comply with all applicable standards.

The specialities were categorized as essential and non-essential items. The essential items include the replacement of flooring material with static reduction and chemical resistance materials. Non-essentials are caseworks, cabinets and countertop. Where required, modified epozy resin that is free of vein laminations, stratifications and impregnated with a highly chemical and heat resistant polymerizing resin was specified for countertop. A solid hardwood oak was specified for cabinets and caseworks. This project was brought in on a budget.

The scope of work was divided and prioritized into three main categories because of budget constraints. These are life safety, deficiency, equipment and specialities respectively.