Successful laboratory space build out results from extensive planning, collaboration, and coordination between the design team and all impacted stakeholders.

Involving all stakeholders early on and throughout the project will help you identify ideas to avoid future laboratory design and construction problems.

The best lab building designs keep users safe while maximizing efficiency. They increase productivity and profitability, ignite creativity, and quickly adapt to changes bound to occur in any business environment.

Errors in the design can lead to delays, mistakes, and accidents that can compromise the experiment results.

When planning and designing a lab, factors to consider are the specific needs of the type of lab in question and the safety requirements.

What is a lab layout?

A lab layout is a plan for optimizing the available lab space to create operational efficiency. A good layout supports the work being carried out. It anticipates users’ needs and fulfills them, to focus on what is important. It also helps minimize errors and improves productivity.

The type of lab you are planning will influence the layout. However, all labs should prioritize safety and accessibility. Other factors to consider are the available space, storage needs, workstations, ventilation systems, plumbing, gas, and electric fixtures.

How do you design a lab layout?

The fundamental considerations are the type of work to be performed and the implementation of risk control measures. A good design balances form, function, and aesthetics. It focuses on keeping people safe while maximizing efficiency and anticipating future needs.

To design a lab layout, you need to have a clear understanding of:

• The lab’s function
• The workflows and processes
• Critical requirements, including utilities, equipment work surfaces, storage requirements, etc.
• Future lab growth goals such that you can establish lab flexibility

8 Tips for a successful lab design

1. Balance Form with Function

Preplanning is a critical step when designing a lab. It involves working with the potential or current users of the lab to determine the need requirement.

The smallest of errors in design can lead to delays, mistakes, accidents, and compromised experiments. So, to avoid this, the lab needs to be tailored to the research to be carried out. Collaboration with scientists and actual lab personnel gives designers the precision to balance form with function.

2. Wet vs. dry labs

Wet labs are for manipulating liquids, biological matter, and chemicals. Their designs include sinks, piped gases plumbing, and fume hoods. They also need chemical-resistant counterparts, and most have fixed casework.

Dry labs focus on computational analysis, physics, and engineering—computer-intensive operations. The lab designs feature significant cabling for electricity and data. Isolation for vibration and ESD worksurface is also common.

Mobile casework, adjustable shelving, and plastic laminate countertops are also standard features of dry labs.

Most researchers use both wet and dry labs.

3. Size the lab to meet user requirements

Sizing the available space appropriately to meet user needs is crucial. It requires the participation of all stakeholders, including lab managers, personnel, and designers, to determine how much space will be needed to perform functions efficiently and safely.

Failure to effectively size the lab can result in limited lab capacity and functionality, affecting efficiency and productivity. The design team can then use diagrams, plans, and workflows to coordinate effective and efficient use of the available space to maximize opportunities for shared space and collaboration between users.

If the lab requires specific equipment, such as a floor mounted fume hood, the lab space must be able to accommodate it. If space is limited, other sized hood and smaller bio safety cabinet options are available.

4. Determine control areas early in the design

A control area is an enclosed space for housing chemicals used within a lab. Two principal codes guide the maximum allowed quantities (MAQs) of chemicals permitted within these confined spaces. These are:

• The National Fire Protection Agency 45(NFPA45) – Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, regulates the amount of flammable or combustible materials allowed in a laboratory
• International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC) regulate the amount of flammable or combustible material allowed within a building

Early determination of the control areas facilitates the creation of a design that meets all codes and safety requirements. Failure to do this can lead to various issues, including code issues, lack of adequate chemical storage rooms, and egress and exit concerns. Involve the Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) in the schematic phase.

What if the anticipated chemical quantities for a new facility are unknown?

Then, the design team needs to evaluate and determine the best way to balance flexibility for future hazardous material needs with other design factors associated with the construction of control areas.

5. Plan for chemical storage if required

Everyday items such as flammable liquids and materials and hazardous chemicals require storage. A beautifully designed lab can quickly become cluttered if you don’t provide proper storage, posing serious health and safety risks.

It is crucial to have a chemicals management strategy in your design, especially if the lab will be handling hazardous or toxic chemicals. Also, building codes may have regulations on certain chemicals used or stored.

So, work with all stakeholders and the EH&S early in the design phase to eliminate the potential for inappropriate, dangerous storage of chemicals on benchtops or inside fume hoods to ensure a safe, effective lab environment.

6. Planning for fume hoods

Ducted or ductless fume hoods provide user protection from hazardous fumes and vapors. Ducted fume hoods operate within the framework of your building and pull-out contaminants out of your building’s HVAC system. Ductless fume hoods use carbon filters to recirculate filtered air into your system.

The fume hood you decide to purchase has a lot of implications on your overall lab design. Ducted fume hoods will require you to work around the existing HVAC systems. The mechanical engineers should work with the design team to ensure proper lab pressurization and fume hood containment.

Choosing the right blower: A fume hood blower is essential for your lab’s ventilation system. It is critical to maintaining the safety and containment of your fume hood and a vital step in laboratory design and hood installation.

7. Get a solid, comprehensive equipment list

Figuring out the equipment layout is another huge component of the lab design. The equipment will determine the spatial planning, the type of lab benches or tables or work surfaces, and the power, data, plumbing, and HVAC services requirements.

While preparing the equipment list, keep in mind both the present and future needs. A good lab design will have the flexibility to allow additional utilities and floor space if the need ever arises.

8. Know when and when not to use flexible casework

For environments where projects frequently change, discuss with the designers whether flexible casework is a good solution. For example, if there are equipment access, stability, or vibrations concerns, fixed casework would be a better solution. However, if there is a likelihood of frequent lab reconfigurations, flexible casework would be cost-effective and the best fit.

How can I build my own laboratory?

Your unique needs and requirements will inform the lab design and layout. If you need help, CFI specialists have the necessary skills and expertise to help you assess and determine your current and future needs.

Our experts will also work side-by-side with you to design, equip and maintain a fully compliant lab while optimizing the available space and prioritizing safety and accessibility.

FAQ

How can I increase my lab space?

The amount of lab space you need depends on the expected equipment, workflow, and the number of employees. However, it is common to outgrow your lab space with environmental changes. For example, a new work function may require new equipment or additional support personnel, which means you will need more space.

Moving to larger lab space is costly and may not be feasible. An economical alternative to increase your lab space is redesigning the layout to optimize the available space.

How do you plan a lab space?

The first step in planning a lab space is to get all stakeholders involved to know what is needed and wanted and why. It will ensure a clear understanding of the lab’s function, the workflows and processes, and the critical requirements for utilities, equipment, and other essentials.

Once you establish the needs and requirements, you can plan on adequately sizing the lab to meet requirements. Other considerations are determining the control areas, chemical storage, type of casework, equipment, and other utilities and services.

What is lab-enabled space?

These are spaces within buildings finished to the intended specification but altered to allow quicker lab fit-outs. These alterations may include having work done to create space for enhanced services, movable worksurfaces, enhanced power and data for high-tech lab requirements, or improved HVAC systems.

How much does it cost to build a lab?

The cost to build a lab varies greatly depending on several variables, including square footage, union or non-union, and existing building infrastructure. Other variables that impact the cost include the type of work and the specific requirements for equipment, HVAC systems, electricity, gases, plumbing, chemical treatment, and storage requirements.

Consequently, you will see considerable variations in the costs depending on the type of lab, location, and the specific equipment and processes you will need.

For an accurate quote, reach out to the CFI team.

What is a good laboratory design?

A good lab design integrates and balances form, function, and aesthetics. It optimizes the available space maximizing efficiency. The best lab designs bring the outdoors in, have ergonomically beneficial furniture, proper lighting, and no distractions.

Which design is used in laboratory?

The type of design a lab uses will vary depending on the needs and requirements of the users. Typical lab designs include:

Generic labs: These have a standardized layout with the same furnishings. They are a good option when it is unknown who will use the space or what type of work.

Flexible labs: This design acts as a canvas and provides high flexibility across multiple specialties. When properly executed, they allow low-cost modifications with fewer disruptions should the need arise. Modular and portable workstations are great options for these labs.

Sustainable labs: These labs incorporate green business practices. They are eco-friendly, feature energy-efficient equipment and processes, and follow the Labs21 Environmental Performance Criteria.

Collaborative or team-based labs: These designs embrace the open space concept and are optimized to facilitate interactions and team-based collaborations.

Wet and dry labs: Wet labs are suitable for research, including chemicals, liquids, and substances. Dry labs focus on testing using computational analysis and computer-sensitive operations.

What’s the difference between “Open” and “Closed” Labs?

Open labs use large open spaces and minimize the use of small enclosed rooms. They are an emerging trend in lab designs and tend to create lab environments responsive to current and future needs.

Open labs promote collaborative team-based research and are cost-effective with a flexible layout. The main disadvantages are lack of privacy and can be noisy and distracting.

Closed labs are the traditional types of laboratories. They work best in situations where dedicated or enclosed spaces are needed. For example, specialized equipment such as nuclear magnetic resonance and electron microscopes need dedicated spaces.

Which one is better? It will depend on the types of projects and the personnel’s personalities. However, a hybrid plan that combines open and closed plans may be a better solution in certain situations.