Chemical and Environmental Analysis Facility (CEAF) FY'25 User Agreement
This agreement is valid for the period from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. All users of the CEAF are bound to the terms of this agreement.  Failure to comply with the terms will render this agreement void.
 
1. Eligibility and Rates
  • The CEAF is open to any member of the Washington University (including WashU Medicine) faculty, their students, and their research staff after appropriate training and approval by the CEAF managers.
  • Rates are outlined in the CEAF website (https://ceaf.wustl.edu/instruments-2/) and may be changed at any time. PIs will be informed before any rate change takes effect.
  • Users need an iLab account with a valid cost center number.
  • The CEAF offers analysis services to WashU internal and external users (from industry or other academic institutions) pending availability and project review.
  • However, only CEAF staff may operate instruments and handle chemicals to ensure safety and limit liability for external users’ projects. Exceptions are rare and subject to approval by a CEAF lab manager and CEAF Committee. Please contact the CEAF lab managers for external rates.
2. Research and Acknowledgment
  • Research within the CEAF, located in Brauer Hall Rooms 14, 15, and 17, as well as Whitaker Hall Room 75H, is subsidized by the Washington University Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering. All publications that report data collected in the CEAF should acknowledge the use of CEAF equipment.
3. Safety Training
  • All users must have up-to-date Environmental Health and Safety training.
  • Users are responsible for removing their samples and unwanted materials from the laboratory space upon completion of their work. Proper disposal is the sole responsibility of the user. Please do not leave samples, sample containers or other waste material in the labs.
  • Individual users must read, understand, and agree to CEAF Lab Specific Training and Chemical Hygiene Plan. At a minimum, lab specific training must be reviewed annually.
4. Instrument Training and Proficiency
  • Initial user training, advanced training, or technical assistance is provided by CEAF Lab Managers Monday - Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, subject to staff availability.
    1. For internal users, initial training is provided at training cost (refer to CEAF fee document).
    2. For external users, please contact lab managers for external training procedure and rates.
  • Initial training is intended to serve as a familiarization with basic instrument and software operation. Manuals and online help are usually available for self-study to improve understanding and increase proficiency with every instrument.
  • Only users who have completed user training and demonstrated proficiency in using the equipment listed in this agreement may operate the equipment. Upon completion of training and demonstration of proficiency, users will be granted access to book time on instruments.
  • At the lab manager’s discretion, refresher training may be required at any time. Members who have not used an instrument in the past 6 months are required to schedule a refresher training with the lab manager. Users will be unable to reserve time on that instrument until this is scheduled.
5. Equipment Use and Procedures
  • Users agree to follow the operating procedures outlined in their training and in the available Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
  • Users agree to consult with CEAF staff before testing new classes of materials, using new accessories, or changing methods or procedures on any equipment.
  • Damage incurred due to deviations from standard procedures may result in charges to the PI. Please inform CEAF managers of any suspected damage or operability issues. It is the responsibility of the CEAF user to know and understand the user policies for any instrument they are authorized to operate.
6. Instrument Reservation and Usage Guidelines
  • Instruments are booked through iLab. Users are encouraged to make reservations in advance.
  • There is no minimum advance notice required to reserve an instrument. Walk-up sessions in iLab allow users to access and use the lab facilities spontaneously without a prior reservation and are permitted. The cancellation policy will still apply (see points below).
  • Sessions must be booked for a minimum of 15 minutes. Additional time may be added in 15-minute increments.
  • Users must check into and out of their session to be properly billed for usage.
  • There is no current restriction on the amount of time that an instrument can be booked, nor how far in reservations can be made. CEAF reserves the right to amend this policy in times of high demand or usage.
7. Billing and Cancellations
  •  Users will be charged based on the actual iLab logged time, provided the usage is completed within the scheduled time or up to 1 hour over it. If the usage will exceed this 1-hour buffer, you must extend the session in iLab.
  • Users will be charged 15% of the originally scheduled time if a cancellation is made less than 12 hours in advance.
  • Users who do not arrive for their appointment will be charged the fee for their booked time.
  • Lab Managers will work with you to edit your session length to avoid excess charges. Please inform us promptly if any issues arise.
8. User Agreement
  • CEAF Users must have an active (i.e., non-expired) CEAF User Agreement on file for their lab to use any equipment.
  • The user agreement must be signed at the beginning of each fiscal year.
  • The PIs iLab account info (active group members, cost centers etc.) should be updated at the beginning of each fiscal year or when the user agreement is signed
 

Through completion and submission of the form below, you agree to the terms of this user agreement.

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