Laboratory Construction Requirements
To construct a laboratory, a few important points must be considered to follow the equipment layout in order to comply with ISO 17025 and avoid any problem, discrepancy, and non-conformity after design and manufacturing.
Such information is provided proportional to lab equipment requirements (mainly SANTAM products). The following information is prepared with respect to the company expertise in sales and commissioning of more than 4500 machines, as well as the problems we faced with during installation, commissioning and sometimes constructing new laboratory.
Along with adhering to safety rules, paying attention to stylish design and efforts to utilize the maximum possible space, as well as easy operation are the most important steps for setting up a laboratory.
The Most Important Factors to be Considered in Choosing a Place for a Laboratory
General Principles of Designing a Standard Laboratory
Any laboratory depending on its application and the volume of current activities should have specific features and facilities. However, the equipment and machines in a lab may vary, but they all have one principle in common, i.e. a QC lab, it should provide proper working conditions for staffs to achieve optimum results and sufficient efficiency.
Attention to factors such as natural and artificial lighting system, air conditioning, humidity, shelves, safety rules, installation place, and so on are the basics of any lab design and construction.
Designing the location of a laboratory is usually the most difficult issues that architecture is dealing with. All requirements and different standards must be observed in such designs, which ultimately lead to development and optimization.
It is necessary to make a 3D design of the lab drawing and review it prior to execution.
Laboratory Layout
A list of equipment proportional to lab requirements shall be prepared; the equipment standard layout must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s plan as well as aesthetic and ergonomic considerations. The following points must be considered in layout:
Place related devices together
Devices must be arranged with a reasonable distance, not too close to each other
Devices with high noise and vibration must be away from sensitive devices
Sample preparation devices and the machines for performing tests under ambient temperature need to be located in another place
In general, 30%-40% of the lab space is allocated to equipment and the rest is considered free space
The numbers of staffs, stylish layout space, and equipment selection have direct influence on lab staffs’ performance
Laboratory Entrance and Device Transportation
To control the airflow in the lab as well as transferring the machine into the lab, a few points must be followed. To transport the large machines to the lab for installation, proceed as follows (in some cases it is needed to lean back and transport the machine to the lab, and then unpack it):
The laboratory need to have a special gate for transporting large machines (the gate should be designed as per the machine height and transportation method). Otherwise, the entrance gate must be designed as two-piece (there should be a window on upper part of the main door stretched to the roof that can be opened easily with no hindrance)
The main door of the lab should open outward
To control temperature and heat uniformity, energy efficient and high performance doors and windows must be used
There should be no damper and obstacle on the floor (specially at entrances)
Rigid hooks must be welded on the roof for installation of overhead crane (max. capacity 2t)
list of important points for the design of the laboratory is presented as follows
Laboratory Entrance and Device Transportation
To control the airflow in the lab as well as transferring the machine into the lab, a few points must be followed. To transport the large machines to the lab for installation, proceed as follows (in some cases it is needed to lean back and transport the machine to the lab, and then unpack it):
The laboratory need to have a special gate for transporting large machines (the gate should be designed as per the machine height and transportation method). Otherwise, the entrance gate must be designed as two-piece (there should be a window on upper part of the main door stretched to the roof that can be opened easily with no hindrance)
The main door of the lab should open outward
To control temperature and heat uniformity, energy efficient and high performance doors and windows must be used
There should be no damper and obstacle on the floor (specially at entrances)
Rigid hooks must be welded on the roof for installation of overhead crane (max. capacity 2t)
Wiring/Cabling and Safety Rules
Power wiring of the lab should be void of faulty earthing and power cut-off
The laboratory earthing should be independent, and specifically designed for the lab. No miscellaneous use is allowed
The lab power should be separate from the factory power source as far as possible in order to have less noises due to the operation of other devices in the production line
A separate electrical panel must be installed at the lab entrance gate, proper circuit breakers for each device must be installed (amp, slow-blow, fast-blow) to prevent power cut-off in the lab
An emergency switch must be intended to prevent power cut-off of the lab in case of emergencies
Use experts and advisors in this regard
Isolation transformer, stabilizer and proper UPS must be used and installed at the lab entrance (recommended) to supply electricity and avoid fluctuation and noise
Installing firefighting cylinders outside the lab in proper places at reach
It is recommended to install fire alarm system
Wiring and cabling for power and internet must be available.
Sewage
Regarding the machine requirements for water inlet and outlet, a sewage system must be intended next to the machine
Lab floor should have drain holes
Compressed Air
In case of need to compressed air, metal piping must be conducted to supply compressed air to the lab
Air Service Unit comprising filter, lubricator, and regulator must be near the machine
Using silent air compressors next to the machine is allowable
Working Temperature and Humidity
Temperature of the lab environment should be strictly controlled
Heating and cooling system with uniform distribution inside the lab environment is recommended
Installing proper air conditioning system proportional to the lab space is mandatory
Working humidity 1%-10%
Sensors, as well as temperature and humidity gauges must be installed in the laboratory
Isolation room (pre-entrance) must be available
Foundation and Walls
Lab floor and walls should be designed as per covering, absorption, and vibration standards
Floor must be designed so that the vibration caused by different units and external factors, have the least effect on it
There should the possibility of execution of foundation for the machines (bolts are tightened to the ground)
Proper ceramic tiles, and stone slabs must be selected for flooring and walls proportional to the lab conditions
Lab floor must be easily cleaned and washed
Walls should be rigid enough to install cabinets and shelves
No rodents, birds and insects are allowed to enter the laboratory, they may cause equipment malfunction and damage
Wardrobe and Shelves for Keeping Tools and Things
Some machines have accessories that need to be stored in a suitable space near the machine
Metal shelves for heavy tools and accessories
Cabinets and wardrobe for keeping light tools and accessories
Bookshelf for keeping manuals, user guides, …
Machine and PC Tables
Some machines are placed on tables, and some need PC tables
For table machines, proportional to its height and weight, a rigid and robust table must be made
The table should not be too high so that the operator can perform the test easily
In case of need to PC, a separate table should be designed and made as per the current standards and placed on the right side of the machine
Equipment Layout
Machines should be installed and arranged based on the equipment layout prepared by the manufacturer. Some machines are not displaced after installation (i.e. fixed mount machines)
Some devices are placed on the table, thus proper table should be made proportional to the lab space. Weight, dimensions, and operation should be taken into account; table is generally placed on the right side of the machine
Floor standing machines do not need tables, these machines should be installed and leveled on the floor or foundation based on the manufacturer instructions
Allocate extra space for unforeseen conditions
A Few Laboratory Infrastructure Requirements
Walls and roofs: made of insulated sandwich panels (heat and cold resistant, sound proofing, moisture resistant)
Doors: made of HDF, resistant against humidity, sound proofing; equipped with smart controller and electronic lock
Air Conditioning System: ducted heating and cooling system, capable of creating simultaneous and controlled blowing and suction
Floor: epoxy or polyurethane floor covering (integral and seamless), impenetrable to liquids
Lighting system: cold lighting system with uniformity through the whole salon with various stands
Wiring: special safe wiring, electrical panel, as well as predicting the power consumption
Sewage: special piping and sewage system, hygienic with no leakage, and microbiologically safe
Cabinet, wardrobe, and shelf: should be made of MDF panels with high-durability hinges, in different colors proportional to the lab atmosphere
