All Painting and Sanding should be done in the Paint & SandBox facility located on the southwest corner of Boelter Hall on the ground level.

Sanding generates dust particles that can easily be lifted into the air. In certain instances, these substances can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. Proper precautions should be taken to ensure those who are sanding as well as those in the surrounding community are kept safe. Painting is NOT allowed around the Student Creativity Center. Boelter Hall air-intake is located all around the Student Creativity Center on the 2^nd floor. Any fumes will be immediately taken in by the air-intake and distributed throughout the building.

UCLA Samueli Engineering, in guidance by the UCLA Environment, Health & Safety Shop Safety Team, Industrial Hygiene Team, and the Fire Marshals, have identified a location (SCC Paint & Sanding box) and process for student organizations’ sanding activities.

Information & Policy

Location: The Paint & Sand Box facility is located on the southwest corner of Boelter Hall on the ground-floor. It is a fenced-in area just outside the southwest entrance to Boelter Hall. The dimensions of the work area is 20.5′ x 17.5′.

Guiding principle: Use your best judgement to ensure that:

• we are using the facility for its intended purpose,

• we safely paint or sand without harming ourselves or others,

• we do not damage our facilities and/or equipment, and

• University business can continue without being disturbed.

Reservations:

• Email requests to Professor Jacob Schmidt, Director of Experiential Learning, schmidt@seas.ucla.edu, at least 36 hours in advance. Requests must include:

  • Student organization or team name,

  • Name, email, and cell phone of officer responsible for activity (must be present during work),

  • Summary of activity, and

  • date, time (including duration) of activity.

• Officer will be provided instruction & combination to unlock the Paint & SandBox facility.

Paint & Sand Box policies:

• The Paint & Sand Box facility is for painting and sanding only. No other activities should be held in this location.

• Do not store any materials in the Paint & Sand Box facility.

• Do not block Boelter Hall exterior doors at any time.

• Not following Paint & Sand Box policies and procedures as delineated in this website will result in your student organization losing Paint & Sand Box access and privileges.

• Your student organization and their Department will be held responsible for any damage or injury in the Paint & Sand Box facility.

• UCLA Engineering administrative staff reserves all rights to determine access to the Paint & Sand Box facility.

• Do not graffiti the facility!

Prep for Sanding:

• Round up your volunteers

• Complete recommended trainings:

  • EH&S N95 Respirator Training and Fit-testing – http://worksafe.ucla.edu.

  • Wet sand training (wet sand when possible) – is being developed.

• Determine whether you are dry or wet sanding (contact your faculty advisor if you are unsure):

  • Dry sanding – wood or foam

  • Wet sanding – concrete, anything ‘rock-based’

  • No sanding – glass, fiberglass, asbestos

• Prepare your equipment

  • • PPE

      • N95 respirator

      • Googles or safety glasses

    • Sanders & necessary sanding supplies

      • Use sanders that are connected to a vacuum when possible.

    • Vacuum

      • You must use 1 vacuum per electric sander or person sanding.

      • 2 vacuums are available. Contact Jacob Schmidt, schmidt@seas.ucla.edu, if you need to use them.

    • Portable garden sprayers (or equivalent) if you are wet sanding.

    • Clean-up and disposal tools

      • Mop, trash bags, wet/dry vacuum, rags, etc.

On Sanding Day:

• Wind – windy days are not good for sanding as it will be difficult to control your dust. Please consider rescheduling your sanding for non-windy days.

• Boelter Hall exterior doors on the southwest side (nearest to the Paint & Sand Box facility) on floor 1 and 2 MUST be closed while sanding.

• Prepare your prototype and PPE.

• Test sand – have someone check to see if debris is escaping the area. If there are dust particles in the air, then you need to reevaluate the number of vacuums per sander that is being used.

• If wet sanding is done, the material should be sprayed periodically.

• Clean-up & disposal:

  • Dry sanding – Use a HEPA vacuum to pick up all debris.

  • Wipe or mop up after vacuuming. Sweeping should be avoided to reduce the amount of particles in the air.

  • Wet-sanding – water should be swept into a central location and vacuumed up using a wet/dry vac. Some absorbent material may be needed to create a border around the space to prevent water from escaping into pedestrian areas.

  • Please dispose of materials and dust inside vacuums (if applicable).

  • Clean out the Paint & Sand Box facility.

  • Close and lock the facility.

  • Email Jacob Schmidt, schmidt@seas.ucla.edu, once you are done.

Prep for Painting:

• Round up your volunteers

• Get your paint – only paint brushing and spray painting with cans is allowable (no compressed air-powered spray guns).

• Drop cloths – You must provide your own drop cloths to cover the area (and overspray) of the item you are painting.

• Measure your prototype (or object you are painting). Painting MUST be done in the confines of the Paint Box area.

• Round up your volunteers.

• Prepare your PPE.

On Painting Day:

• Wind – windy days are not good for painting as it will be difficult to control your painting and the overspray. Please consider rescheduling your painting for non-windy days.

• Boelter Hall exterior doors on the southwest side (nearest to the Paint Box facility) on floor 1 and 2 MUST be closed while painting.

• Place your drop cloths – to avoid staining walls or ground.

• Place your prototype on the drop cloths. Remember that painting MUST be done in the confines of the facility area.

• Use PPE if necessary or preferred– gloves, apron and/or N95 respirator may be used at the painter’s discretion.

• Test paint – to ensure no overspray that will stain the facility, nearby buildings, or equipment.

• DO NOT Graffiti the Paint Box!

• Clean-up & disposal:

  • Drying – you may leave your prototype in the SCC Paint & Sand Box facility area (at your own risk) to accommodate drying time.

  • Remove all items from the facility area.

  • Dispose of your drop cloths and any other materials that need disposal. EH&S guidelines for proper disposal: https://ehs.ucla.edu/waste.Check the facility for accidental overspray (please remove all stains).

  • Close and lock the facility

  • Email Jacob Schmidt, schmidt@seas.ucla.edu, once you are done