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Cornell University

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Campus Services

Cornell Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Distribution Guidelines

Cornell Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Distribution Guidelines 
 

PURPOSE & REQUIREMENTS 

This document provide process for ensuring hand sanitizer is distributed as needed on the Cornell Ithaca and Geneva campuses per Cornell University’s Public Health Emergency Response Plan. 

The intended outcomes of this document are: 

  • Clear roles and responsibilities related to the needs, placement, distribution, and maintenance of hand sanitizer. 

  • Reduce duplication of efforts across Cornell, and efficiently utilize materials. 

  • Safe and compliant storage of hand sanitizer

SCOPE 

This process applies to all units of Cornell’s Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses upon activation by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in response to a Public Health Emergency. In turn, Environmental Health and Safety will inform units when the process can be deactivated. 

EHS UNIVERSITY SANITIZER STANDARD OF COVERAGE Cornell’s Environment Health and Safety Department requires hand sanitizer to be available in atriums, entryways, common areas, and other strategic high traffic locations with the following standards for minimum coverage: 

  • dining facilities have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Station at entryway AND 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump per table 

  • high volume building entrances and atrium entrances have 2 (two) Hand Sanitizer Stations (example: Duffield Hall, Warren Hall and Sage Hall) 

  • moderate volume building and atrium entrances have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Station (example: CCC building, Humphreys Service Building, Wilson Laboratory) 

  • reception desks/areas, cashier stations, library front desks, etc. have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump 

  • lunch/break rooms have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump 

  • low volume building and atrium entrances have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Station, or 2 (two) Hand Sanitizer Pumps if convenient placement is available (example: Gutterman Lab, Greenhouses) 

  • large classrooms have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Station outside or 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump with the Self-Serve Disinfection Station 

  • conference rooms have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump on table 

  • small common areas, and classrooms have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump 

CORNELL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (EHS) 

EHS is responsible for oversight and implementation of Cornell University’s Public Health Emergency Response Plan. 

CORNELL UNIT FACILITY DIRECTORS (UFD) 

UFDs, with support of their staff, are best positioned to ensure the needs of their facilities are determined, and to identify gaps where hand sanitizer needs are not being met. UFDs are responsible to: 

  • Assess overall hand sanitizer dispensing needs for their facilities per minimum standards above. 

  • Identify hand sanitizer dispensing needs including locations, quantities, and types of dispensers needed. 

  • Coordinate placement of sanitizer with appropriate responsible parties. 

CORNELL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (FM) BUILDING CARE 

FM’s Building Care team maintains majority of hand sanitizer dispenser stations on Cornell’s Ithaca campus. 

Building Care places and maintains dispenser stations in facilities they service ensuring: 

  • high volume building entrances and atrium entrances have 2 (two) Hand Sanitizer Stations (example: Warren Hall and Sage Hall) 

  • moderate volume building and atrium entrances have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Station (example: CCC building, Humphreys Service Building) 

  • low volume building and atrium entrances have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Station, or 2 (two) Hand Sanitizer Pumps if convenient placement is available (example: Gutterman Lab, Greenhouses) 

CORNELL DINING 

Cornell Dining places and maintains dispenser stations at facilities they operate such that: 

  • dining facilities have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Station at entryway AND 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump per table 

COLLEGES/UNITS/DEPARTMENTS 

College/Unit/Department places and maintains dispenser stations at facilities they operate such that: 

  • conference rooms have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump on table 

  • classrooms have 1 (one) or more Hand sanitizer pumps 

  • small common areas have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump 

  • reception desks/areas, cashier stations, library front desks, etc. have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump 

  • lunch/break rooms have 1 (one) Hand Sanitizer Pump

DEFINITIONS 

For the purpose of this document the following definitions apply: 

  • Hand Sanitizer: an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol. 

  • Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Station: refillable hand sanitizer dispenser (frequently mounted on free-standing posts or wall mounted). 

  • Hand Sanitizer Pumps: portable, disposable containers of hand sanitizer with pump style dispenser.   

NYS Fire Code Guidance for the storage and placement of Hand Sanitizing Supplies and Equipment

Per Ron Flynn, University Fire Marshall, on March 8 2020:

As we continue our efforts to procure and store hand sanitizing supplies and equipment across the campus, we need to be consciously aware to properly store and disperse these items in a manner that does not pose an unreasonable risk to occupants and emergency personnel.  

After reviewing the SDS sheets for the hand sanitizing supplies containing 60% and 70% alcohol base; these products are classified as Type 1A Flammable Hazardous Chemical. Therefore, the following Fire Code Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) along with the guidance for placement need to be followed.

Storage 

  • Non-Sprinklered Buildings = 30 Gallons MAQ per control area. 
  • Sprinklered Buildings = 60 Gallons MAQ per control area, unless the product is being stored in approved storage cabinets in which the MAQ would increase to 120 gallons. Note: The use of control areas allows for the storage of hazardous materials by effectively compartmentalizing the product through the use of fire barriers that have a minimum fire-resistance rating of 1 hour or the use of approved storage cabinets. 
  • Corridors 
    • Maximum capacity of each Hand Sanitizing Dispensing Unit = 41 ounces. 
    • MAQ per the corridor control area (minimum corridor width 72 inches) = 10 gallons. 
  • Distance required from light switches is 1-inch. 
  • Do not place over electrical outlets. 
  • If installed in areas with carpet flooring, sprinkler coverage is required. o Cannot obstruct egress and reduce the exiting capacity.