Biology Maintenance Work Policy

Biology Maintenance work requests are managed using a web-based Workflow Tracking Task Tool.

Work requests should be submitted only via email to "Biology Maintenance" bio-maintenance@purdue.edu. Requests sent to Purdue personal email boxes or via telephone cannot be guaranteed addition to the Workflow Tracking Task List.

Biology Maintenance will routinely be responsible for:

• Preventative maintenance and repair of department shared equipment (i.e. ice machines, autoclaves, film processors, water softener, RO system, dishwashers, walk-in cold room, back-up -80 freezers)

• Telecommunications

• Repair of lab and office infrastructure ( i.e. cabinetry, shelving, room utilities, patch and paint)

• Training and instruction for lab equipment maintenance and operation as requested (i.e. water purification system filter replacement, autoclave use, gas cylinder exchange)

• Submitting work orders to Purdue Physical Facilities for building related repairs as requested

• Lab and office renovation as approved by the department

• Furniture and equipment re-location or disposal (not Salvage)

• Defrosting freezers as requested

• Input and consultation on major lab equipment purchase and installation

• Facilitating repair or replacement of department instructional equipment and electronics

Biology Maintenance will not be responsible for:

• Repair of Research equipment or electronics

  • Contact John Bowman (bowmanjd.purdue.edu) for current resources and contacts.

• Water purification filter changes (instruction and training provided by Bio Maintenance)

• Defrosting freezers, with some exceptions

• Change out gas cylinders in labs  (instruction and training provided by Bio Maintenance)

• Chemical waste disposal  (instruction and training provided by Bio Maintenance)

• Biohazard waste disposal  (instruction and training provided by Bio Maintenance)

• Stocks, cultures, lab notebooks and other research related material left in offices, labs or freezers after space has been turned back over to the department (Faculty re-location)

• Routine equipment disposal to Purdue Salvage (instruction and training provided by Bio Maintenance)

Under certain circumstances and at the discretion of the department, Biology Maintenance will be responsible for:

• Design and fabrication of research devices or structures

  • Contingent on Biology Maintenance staff schedule and availability

  • Only if necessary due to unavailability from a commercial or local fee-based source

  • All material costs will be paid by PI

  • Biology Maintenance only to supply labor and design consultation

  • Determined on a case-by-case basis

A more detailed Biology Maintenance Guide is being developed with clarifying examples, instructions and resource links. Questions? Contact Kathy Anderson.