CREATING SPACES THAT ENABLE SCIENCE SUCCESS

Ideally, before committing to a building or fixing the laboratory layout. An early review can test whether the structure, services, access and available space can support your equipment and processes. It also gives you a clearer view of cost, programme and any work needed to make the building suitable. 

Often, but the building needs a technical assessment first. We look at floor loading, ceiling heights, ventilation routes, power, drainage, deliveries and any requirements for controlled areas. A building with enough floor space may still have limited capacity for the services a laboratory needs.

We start with your processes and user requirements: what work takes place, who performs it, what equipment is used and how people, samples, materials and waste move through the facility. Equipment schedules, environmental requirements and anticipated growth help turn those needs into a room schedule and technical brief. 

That depends on the substances, biological agents and processes involved. The risk assessment informs the appropriate containment measures, while equipment heat loads and required environmental conditions inform the ventilation design. For work with biological agents, the required containment level must reflect both the agent's hazard group and the risks of the activity. 

No. Requirements depend of the activity carried out in the facility. Pharmaceutical manufacturing may fall under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), while storage and distribution may involve Good Distribution Practice (GDP). Research laboratories can have different obligations. We establish the applicable requirements with your quality and operations teams before developing the design. 

You do not need to specify every future instrument, but you should identify likely changes in size, weight, heat output and service demand. We can assess spare power and services capacity, access routes and adaptable layouts so that adding equipment later does not automatically mean a major refurbishment.

The route into the laboratory is often overlooked. Large equipment may need suitable lifts, door widths, loading access and a clear installation route. It is also worth checking where plant can be located, how it will be maintained and whether the building has space for future services expansion. 

It may be possible with careful phasing. We would plan access, service interruptions, dust and noise controls, and separation between construction and operational areas around the work that must continue. The programme needs to reflect any periods when equipment cannot be moved, switched off or exposed to disruption.

Allow time for more than construction completion. Specialist systems may need commissioning, testing and documentation before your team can install equipment and begin operational qualification or validation where applicable. Agreeing those responsibilities and dates early helps create a realistic route from finished space to working facility.