Lab Planning Through the Eyes of an Engineer
Engaging engineers through every phase of the lab planning, design, and construction process is crucial for ensuring a safe, efficient, and cost-effective lab space. Photo credit: Michael Robinson
By: Kelley Cramm and Danny McGrail
Lab planning presents unique challenges and considerations for architects, building owners, planners, and developers. Chief among them are mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, which are typically some of the most technical aspects of a lab construction project in addition to being the largest cost component. Ensuring these systems are designed and constructed in a way that integrates seamlessly with the building so a lab project functions efficiently and safely upon completion is therefore a high priority.
Why Engage an Engineer in Lab Planning?
Engineers have a deep understanding of the best practices surrounding MEP systems and the importance of properly identifying utility needs for lab equipment. This expertise is crucial given that labs are often home to hazardous materials and equipment. Qualified laboratory design engineers are familiar with applicable codes and standards that some lab planners, architects, and owners may not be attuned to. In collaboration with the owner’s Environment, Health, and Safety (EH&S) group, engineers can help identify potential hazards and design solutions to mitigate risk. It's especially important to address these requirements early as they can affect the floor plan and overall building layout.
Optimizing labs’ energy efficiency is also a common outcome of early engineering as labs are heavy consumers of energy. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a typical lab is three to four times more energy-intensive than an average commercial building. Engineers can design systems that are more sustainable by using less energy and reducing waste, saving the end user money.
Failing to involve an engineer during planning can result in a plethora of headaches including upended budgets and plans, misapplied exhaust or utility strategies, lack of future flexibility and capacity, and over-or-under-engineered solutions – many things can go wrong.
When to Engage an Engineer?
The best time to engage is early in the lab planning process. This will give the engineer the time they need to assess the lab's needs and develop a plan that meets those needs. Specific times when it is important to engage an engineer include:
Programming - As the lab's needs are being defined, engineers can help to ensure that the lab is designed to meet those needs. Additionally, it may be beneficial for engineers to meet with lab administrators and lab users, and to see existing equipment and processes in action to better understand their needs.
Designing - Engineers can collaborate with the architect and lab planner to develop a design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing and ensure chases and mechanical rooms are properly sized and efficiently located.
Construction - Engineers can help observe the construction of the lab to ensure that it is built according to the plans and specifications.
What do Engineers Care About?
When engaging an engineer in lab planning, it is important to make sure that they understand your needs and priorities. While the budget and timeline are critical pieces of information, there are several other factors an engineer will need to know to ensure your lab meets your needs. Some lab planners may include items lab users ask for such as a fume hood at every other module “just in case” or snorkels at every module without considering the consequences for that specific project or offering alternatives. Items to consider include:
Lab Equipment and Processes – Basic details about equipment included in the lab and the day-to-day operations of the facility.
Hazards – Identify what hazardous materials will be used in the facility and meet with EH&S and lab users to help develop a risk assessment.
Space Planning – Common considerations in space planning include floor-to-floor height and fume hood density. Preliminary estimates of space needs should be done at the planning stage and should account for all utilities including purified water skids, lab gas cylinders, bulk gas/liquid storage tanks, chillers, boilers, generators, electrical gear/transformers, and air handlers.
Utilities –Purified water and lab gases are typical utilities unique to lab design. The purity level for utilities, cylinders, and bulk tanks for gases must be accounted for as well as distribution strategies (overhead service carrier, overhead manifold, etc.).
Space Parameters – This includes temperature, humidity, tolerances, filtration, air change rate, and differential pressure. Engineers can review equipment manuals to ensure equipment requirements are addressed.
Fume Hoods – Type, size, and quantity of hoods (including chemical fume hoods, radioisotope hoods, and perchloric acid hoods). Face velocity, diversity, and air change rates should also be documented.
Biological Safety Cabinets – Type and quantity.
Other Key Discussion Items –It is critical to discuss lab ventilation design levels (LVDL, re: ASHRAE) and the combination of exhaust streams.
Lessons Learned
There are many examples of what can go wrong when an engineer is not engaged early in the lab planning process. Here are a few examples:
Not enough mechanical space. This can upend the plan and budget and lead to overcrowding, making it difficult to use the lab equipment.
Locating the electron microscope next to the main electrical room can create interference and render the imaging tool ineffective.
Not enough chase space and mislocated chases can result in having to lower ceilings to provide enough space to run ducts and utilities through the lab.
Not planning for adequate head height for steam boilers will result in having to rework the floor plans to accommodate the head height needed. This can upend the budget and the schedule.
Not segregating acids/flammables and virgin and waste materials, increases the potential for accidents and cross-contamination.
Conclusion
Engaging engineers early in the lab planning process is crucial for ensuring a safe, efficient, and cost-effective lab space. Engineers possess deep expertise in MEP systems, safety hazard mitigation, and energy optimization, making them invaluable assets in lab planning, design, and construction. Their involvement can prevent costly mistakes and ensure that the lab meets the specific needs of its users. By providing engineers with detailed information about lab equipment, hazards, space requirements, utilities, space parameters, fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, and ventilation design, lab planners can facilitate a seamless design process that results in a functional and well-equipped lab.
Kelley Cramm, PE, LEED AP BD+C, and Danny McGrail, PE, LEED AP BD+C, are lab design experts at Henderson Engineers, a national building systems design firm. Cramm serves as a mechanical technical manager and McGrail is the firm’s science and technology practice director. They can respectively be reached at kelley.cramm@hendersonengineers.com and danny.mcgrail@hendersonengineers.com.