Policies and Procedures

General Information
ChemStores is located on the main campus of Columbia University in Chandler Hall, room 154. We provide a variety of lab supplies, chemicals, gases and glassware in our inventory for members of the Columbia University Chemistry Department only. ChemStores also handles shipping and receiving for the Chemistry Department.

Hours of operation are from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Monday thru Friday. We are closed on all University approved holidays.

Purchasing Inventory Items
ChemStores inventory is separated into (5) categories: apparatus, chemicals, glassware, gases and liquid nitrogen. Apparatus, non-flammable chemicals and glassware are located on the shelves in the main stockroom area. Flammable chemicals and compressed gases are located respectively in the flammable chemical storage room and the cylinder room at the rear of the store. A liquid nitrogen dewar for purchasing small amounts is located in the grove area at the north end of Chandler Hall beneath the building overhang. A bulk tank for dewar fills is located in the grove area behind Chandler and Havemeyer Halls.

Chemistry Department members wishing to make inventory purchases (with the exception of liquid nitrogen) must fill out an inventory transaction form. Blank transaction forms are located on the counter at the front of the store or you can use a printed copy of the on-line form. Clearly print your name, group, ID and account number along with the stock number, description of the item and the number of items you are purchasing on the form. The stock number and description for each item is located on the shelf directly beneath the item. The stock numbers for compressed gases are located above the storage racks in the cylinder room. After choosing your items for purchase and properly filling out the transaction form, hand the form to a member of ChemStores staff. They will check to see if the information on the form is correct.

When purchasing liquid nitrogen from the dewar outside of the store, please put the amount taken along with the date, your name and group on the sign-up sheet located on the wall opposite first floor Chandler Elevator. If you have a dewar and need it filled, you have to fill out a Liquid Nitrogen Requisition Form. Blank forms are located at the front of the store in the bottom slot above the counter. Place the filled out form in the top slot. Indicate whether you will fill the dewar or if you want a ChemStores staff member to fill it for you. If your request is to have the dewar filled the same day, your form should be in the slot by no later than 3:00 PM on the day that you want the dewar filled. Research groups in Havemeyer Hall can pick up their filled dewars in the grove area behind Chandler and Havemeyer Halls. Chandler Hall research groups can pick up their dewars inside ChemStores.

Purchasing Dry Ice
ChemStores recieves bulk shipments of dry ice on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Research Groups wishing to purchase dry ice should place an order with a member of ChemStores Staff in advance of shipment days. You can also sign up to recieve a standing order (a fixed amount that your group requests) on each shipment day.To sign up for a standing order of dry ice or to change the amount on your standing order, please call 854-5200 or 854-2792

Shipping and Receiving
ChemStores receives packages daily, usually between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Packages are then sorted by group and distributed from the package room beginning at 1:00 PM. When picking up a package you will be asked to verify its contents by signing a packing slip and/or log book. Packages containing chemicals should be transported via the dumbwaiter whenever possible. Any packages being returned should be brought to the package room, preferably in the original box. If you plan on receiving a package that requires special handling instructions please notify ChemStores manager or a member of the staff.

ChemStores uses Federal Express as its main shipper. We carry a full line of standard Fedex shipping materials to meet your shipping needs. Pickups are scheduled daily between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. To ensure next day delivery please bring your package to the package room by 3:00 PM.

We will accept packages for pickup by Airborne, DHL, UPS or any other shipper. However, we do not have agreements with these companies and any pickup should be prearranged by the sender. For help in shipping a package please contact a member of ChemStores staff

A Note to New Students/Postdocs
If you expect to purchase items from ChemStores, you will need to provide your student id and an account number so that we can set you up in our database. It would be highly recommended to have someone from your group introduce you to the members of ChemStores staff. We are always happy and eager to help.