News

What Should You Consider When Designing Your Lab?

Configuring your lab with the right equipment and furniture is essential. However, it can get utterly challenging to place the laboratory fit out. A mistake can disrupt the lab processes and delay the procedures required in research. 

Although there are various ways to view and question the best use of research facilities, it is worth understanding that a laboratory design affects health, safety, and productivity. Having an optimal strategy for a research lab is crucial for any workplace. Even the tiniest labs can result in delays and mistakes if not appropriately designed.

This blog talks about the factors you should consider while designing a research lab. Therefore, without any further ado, let’s get started.

Pre-plan with Scientists

An extensive pre-planning period is crucial for a lab design. Workshopping with the ones who’ll be using the laboratory is essential. Since the lab can be designed for the type of research to be done within it, it requires superfluous elements that can be easily identified. 

Collaborating with scientists will allow designers to get the precision that is highly useful for unique scientific research.

Location, Layout, and Access

While planning the lab design, its location and layout are two of the most significant factors to consider. If you incorporate the design into a multi-storeyed building, pay attention to vertical transportation whether the research needs convenience towards utility systems, waste disposal, and the correct instruments. 

The room layout factors are maintenance convenience, accessibility of equipment, HVAC requirements, and ergonomics. Other requirements include admin work, benches for write-ups, sample preparation, etc.

In the process, the bench height and depth should be considered to make up for the ergonomics of instruments. 

Internet Connection

Regardless of the type of lab you need to develop, you will require ease of internet connection. All labs need the internet to look up troubleshooting techniques for machines or to run a specific program. 

Look for a location with a good and strong internet connection that enables you to complete the processes timely.

Consider Lighting

To ensure that your lab is working efficiently at optimum levels, you need to install proper lighting. Implementing natural lighting convenience in the lab helps use the energy-saving potential. There are also cases where researchers may not require natural lighting during their research.

This may be prevalent in research work that involves the absence of natural lighting. They might be using equipment like lasers, electron microscopes, or other light-sensitive equipment. It would be best to discuss with the researchers to learn about their specific requirements while developing the lab design.

Plenty of Electrical Hook-ups and Outlets

Many older buildings have inappropriate electrical wiring. If you’re building a lab in an old building, you should ensure that the location has all the electrical outlets you require. If it has no outlets, it should at least have electrical wiring that enables the provision of accommodating more outlets.

Labs use up a lot of electricity through incubators, refrigerators, and computers. Therefore, the outlets and the electrical capacity will help handle those requirements.

To get the best out of the lab you’ve designed, it would be best to collaborate with the researchers regarding the laboratory fit out to get the complete picture. No experience can guarantee a positive outcome when you choose to join a lab. However, putting time and thought into the decision will help you spot a lab that best fits your requirements. 

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button