1. Trends in Laboratory Planning and Design
General Comments
Type of science will affect type and cost of fit-out
Stage of company development will affect space type needs: Start-up, Emerging vs. Established
Type of building shell will affect availability and quality of MEP systems
Lab/Office square footage ratios will affect cost and quality of systems needed
Plan entire space in modules so that change – which is inevitable – can occur optimally
Local code officials are generally considering that labs need to be ADA compliant
Site Opportunities
Parking requirements will be dictated by local zoning
Even start-up companies need a “back of house” - service yard – area for delivery of equipment,
supplies etc and often a place to store gas cylinders, waste, perhaps a small emergency generator.
This can be a challenge since most developer driven projects maximize the building footprint on the
site.
Along with the Service Yard (area) many clients appreciate a loading dock with an overhead door.
If deliveries are made by 18 wheelers, then the yard needs to be able to accommodate this.
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2. Site utilities should include a 4” line (best) for sewer, a 2”- 3” water line (best), plus 208 3ph in
addition to 120v service. 277v service is much more efficient and costs less to use. Occasionally,
some pieces of equipment may use 480V, but this is getting less frequent. The size of the water line
will constrain the quantity of sinks allowed. For some lab operations, this is a serious flaw.
Natural gas is a more efficient fuel source for HVAC design
Adjacent property uses are an important consideration for many clients, as are expansion potentials
Exterior chemical storage is often an alternative to interior storage rooms, especially as a way to
accommodate the use of hazardous production materials, hazardous waste or quantities that will
drive a more restrictive (costly) facility construction
Core and Shell
Building age could be problematic (asbestos, ADA)
For single storey buildings, height to structure is typically ok. However, in older buildings it can be
12’, and this makes for very low ceilings and cavernous open office or lab space. Look for 15’-16
foot range because this will accommodate 9’ lab space, 2 feet of structure and 3 feet clear for
mechanical, electrical plumbing (MEP) distribution
Slab on grade floors are easy to trench for sinks, but may need to be saw cut for vibration isolated
slab requirements
Labs require more extensive structural framing systems than offices do. Look for AT LEAST a
100psf live load capacity
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3. The same is true for the roof framing. Lab HVAC systems tend to be larger and heavier. As such,
additional framing may be required. Consider 25psf for roof live load + 20psf for future roof work
30 foot+/- column bay spacing is considered optimal from an engineering standpoint, but many flex
office spaces use a larger span for bar joists
Exterior walls should be insulated. Since labs use up to TEN times more energy than their office
space counterparts, energy efficient exterior wall design is crucial. Windows and daylighting
opportunities are a positive
If the building is multistory, then a freight elevator is critical, especially for transferring heavy or
oversized lab equipment
Building shafts provide more efficient and better opportunities for HVAC and plumbing distribution
Toilet room sizing is based on plumbing code requirements. These spaces will need to be ADA
compliant
Many core and shell campuses have undergone extensive Planning and Zoning approval. Making
changes to the exterior, if only to add a door, could trigger additional planning/zoning reviews
Image is almost as important as location, location, location.
Interior Improvements
The quality of finish depends on the use requirements, the budget, length of tenure. Start-up
companies can probably get by with standard 2x4 ACT, VCT flooring in labs, eggshell paint, lay-in
light fixtures and functional Break, Office and Shared Admin areas. Special use lab areas will need
to consider more expensive finishes depending upon their durability needs for cleanliness
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4. Windows into lab spaces may add cost, but are really critical, both from an aesthetic as well as
safety standpoint
Building codes for lab uses have very specific requirements for life safety, chemical handling,
separation and egress. Generally, lab rooms should have the ability to have 2 separate exits
Chemical use, handling and disposal need to be discussed and documented. The Code prescribes
limits to volumes of use with certain occupancy classifications
Optimal lab ceiling height is10 feet, but 9 feet +/- is often seen
Clients often like to have their own Lobby space, both for image and security reasons
Planning based on GSF per person can vary greatly. For start-up companies, a metric of +/-400GSF
per person may seem high, especially if open office is used versus many closed offices. This is a
tricky measuring stick
Another metric that is used is based upon $ revenue per person, $250K, $350K per person in order
to derive how much square footage is affordable
Typically, lab spaces are separated from office/admin spaces by 1-hour UL rated partitions. This
will apply to the doors and frames in these locations
Casework selection comes down to balancing cost, quality and functionality. There is no rule about
using metal versus plastic laminate versus solid wood. Consider how corrosive the lab
environment will be. The casework does need to be lab grade and have the ability to sustain heavy
equipment loading and resist vibration translation through the countertop. Sink selection is similar.
Some treated water can be very hard on stainless steel.
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5. Mechanical Systems
Rooftop HVAC systems will generally suit the needs of an office environment. The code prescribes
cfm/sf requirements, but the following can be helpful rules of thumb. Many MEP engineers will use
250SF/ton for lab areas, but this is way too conservative; 350-500 is a more reasonable range. A
driver of this figure will be the fume hood usage, so that information needs to be confirmed early in
the design process. A Lab Equipment List provided by the client will provide additional information
critical to rightsizing HVAC systems.
Plumbing systems include both supply and waste. Many times, lab equipment requires a floor
drain. Can the slab be cut? Or in a multistory building, can the plumbing be provided in the ceiling
plenum of the lower floor? Some clients consider using a point of use tankless water heater to
avoid some long pipe runs.
Labs using chemicals need emergency showers and eyewashes at sinks
Fire sprinklers are not necessarily a requirement, but their presence really makes a difference in how
the lab can be designed
Labs need to be 100% exhaust, and typically they are designed for 6-12 air changes per hour. This is
tremendous range, so confirm lab use with client
Electrical Systems
Depending upon the lab use, plan on 20-30 watts/SF.
Emergency power is often requested, but it can be costly. The generator will need to be located
outside, and so the site will need to accommodate this
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6. Indirect lighting fixtures in labs is very desirable, but often the conventional prismatic lens can also
be used
In single story flex space, take advantage of skylights to enhance daylighting opportunities for both
labs and admin spaces
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