Planning is the Key to Effective Lab Design

By Iva Fedorka 

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Good planning is vital to the success of a new lab or expansion of an existing lab. Creating a science laboratory requires close and constant collaboration between the planning engineers and the scientists. This starts with a broad concept from the initial workshops and continues for the length of the project.

There are four common issues in lab construction that can make the difference between success and failure. Pay close attention to electrical requirements, HVAC demands, local building code compliance, and ordering products with long lead times.

What to consider when building or remodeling a lab:

  • HVAC: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is a very important infrastructure issue for laboratories. The volume of air changes varies from office environments, experiments may have specific temperature requirements and lab equipment may produce large amounts of heat. Hood and enclosure air flows will affect air circulation, as will requirements for negative pressure, low humidity or clean/sterile conditions. Space will also be needed for ductwork and vents for safety storage cabinets.
  • Electrical: Ensure adequate electrical supply. In addition to an adequate number of power receptacles, high-capacity lines may be needed along with back-up power sources for utility interruptions. Frozen samples may be at risk
  • Ensure adequate electrical supply. In addition to an adequate number of power receptacles, high-capacity lines may be needed along with back-up power sources for utility interruptions. Frozen samples may be at risk.
  • Casework: Choose the right casework and lab furniture. A wide variety of wood, steel, and stainless options are available to replace existing pieces with standard sizes and finishes. Or will custom casework be needed? Can configurable or flexible systems work for you?
  • Safety: Keep safety in mind. Employee exposure to chemicals and other hazards is also a concern. Additionally, the installation of full-body showers (and drains), eye wash stations and storage for safety products should be considered. Think about safe chemical storage and plan for storing hazardous, explosive or flammable substances.
  • Enclosures: Pick the right hoods and enclosures. Lab enclosures include fume hoods, biological safety cabinets (BSCs) and ductless hoods. They also include special-use hoods like those for radioactive substances, perchloric acid or explosion-prone materials.
  • Equipment: Select large lab equipment early in the process. The placement of fixed and portable equipment can affect the layout and the structural needs of the facility (foundation requirements, framing). In addition to hoods and enclosures, key products in this category include refrigerators and freezers, incubators, autoclaves, centrifuges, water purification systems, glassware washers, etc.

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