Accurate Laboratory Asset Surveys: What Keeps Architects Up at Night
The cornerstone of proper lab design starts with an accurate asset survey to understand what assets are in the laboratory, where they are to be located, and a detailed account of their attributes and supporting infrastructure.
An asset survey and site requirement audit is the critical first step in lab planning, relocation, and any subsequent asset management program. The audit provides critical information for the initial test fit which is required in identifying and prioritizing critical assets, planned placement in the new space, and site mechanical, electrical, and plumbing requirements (MEPs) to accommodate the assets in the new space.
Laboratory and umbilical systems are often designed by architects and MEP engineers, relying heavily on the client or the owner’s project managers (OPMs) for asset lists, data collection, and guidance.
Responsibility for compiling asset lists, more often than not, is assigned to lab personnel unfamiliar with design requirements. OPMs, while experienced in construction, often lack technical expertise in laboratory instrumentation, service requirements, and other critical factors essential in providing input for proper lab design.
Often dismissed as an unnecessary expense by lab management, inaccurate surveys can have significant consequences, including project delays to remediate site plan and MEP oversights, improper test fits, additional costs of remediation, and disorganized project execution in relocation planning.
The key components of an asset survey are:
a qualified equipment specialist or lab planner with trained personnel to conduct the audit
thorough understanding of parent and child associations of the systems
strict protocols in documenting key data on the assets and how it is to be reported
Vital information to be compiled and documented
Make, model and serial numbers of parent and child components
Proper “whole system” dimensions for proper fit planning
Instrumentation umbilical requirements (gas, electrical, venting, etc.)
Bench dimensions, weight tolerances, and clearances for proper lab design and maintenance support
Process steps
Initial site walkthrough with a visual inspection
Harmonizing assets to be documented with the architect’s data collection requirements
Project briefings with the audit team to review project and site details
Conducting the audit
Documenting the data and digital records
Floor plan site mapping of asset locations (required for relocation planning to direct engineers and movers if assets are to be relocated)
Final verification of data to ensure data integrity
Submission of data to client for review
A qualified and experienced equipment specialist can not only assist in providing a comprehensive and accurate lab audit, but should have a seat at the table as a valuable member of the lab planning team.
An equipment specialist’s expertise and guidance include proper placement of instrumentation in the test fit of the new space, taking into account workflows and MEP design limitations, project phasing based on mission critical assays and manufacturer scheduling for de-installations, installations, and qualifications and sourcing and budgeting of new instrumentation.
Designing a laboratory is a complex undertaking with inherent financial, operational, and reputational risk. Getting the right team in place to contribute the specific skills and deliverables required to mitigate this risk should not be.
