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Analysis of Key Design Considerations for Newly Built Laboratories

Release time:

2025-12-19 16:00

       As a crucial platform for scientific research, innovation, and testing, the scientific and rational design of laboratories directly determines research efficiency and quality, and is also vital to the safety of operators and long-term operational economics. Designing a new laboratory is far more than simple spatial planning; it must be primarily function-oriented, comprehensively considering multiple dimensions such as robust protection, compliance adaptation, and intelligent operation and maintenance, while also taking into account current use and future development prospects. Accurately controlling key aspects of each stage is essential to creating a research space that is both practical and secure. The following is a detailed analysis from key dimensions.

 

       Functional zoning is a prerequisite for design and must adhere to the principles of "smooth workflow, clear zoning, and avoidance of cross-contamination." Based on the characteristics and operational procedures of the experimental type (chemical analysis, biological culture, physical detection, etc.), the experimental area and auxiliary functional area should be accurately divided. The experimental area needs detailed layout; for example, a chemical analysis laboratory can be divided into a sample pretreatment area and a precision instrument room, with the precision instrument room requiring a separate location away from vibration sources and areas with strong electromagnetic interference. A microbiology laboratory needs to be divided into aseptic operation areas and culture areas to avoid cross-contamination. The auxiliary area needs to be fully equipped, including a reagent warehouse, a waste liquid storage room, and a changing room. The reagent warehouse should store reagents according to their chemical properties, with flammable and explosive reagents separated and equipped with explosion-proof facilities. The waste liquid storage room should use leak-proof and corrosion-resistant materials, and be equipped with classified collection tanks and leakage alarm devices. At the same time, 10%-20% flexible expansion space should be reserved, and a modular design should be adopted to facilitate future renovation and upgrades.

       A robust protection system is the foundation of the design, requiring the construction of a multi-dimensional protection framework. The ventilation system must be adaptable to different experimental scenarios; universal exhaust hoods should be installed in chemical operation areas, while all-steel fume hoods should be used in areas handling highly volatile reagents, with face velocity controlled at 0.5-0.8 m/s and separate exhaust ducts used to avoid mixing of exhaust gases. The fire protection system should be equipped with targeted fire extinguishing equipment according to the type of experiment; carbon dioxide or dry powder fire extinguishers should be prioritized in chemical laboratories. Emergency sprinklers and eyewash stations must be provided in experimental areas, with eyewash stations no more than 15 meters from the operation area. Flooring should preferably use materials that are corrosion-resistant, slip-resistant, and easy to clean; walls should use fire-resistant, moisture-proof, and clean-cleaning boards, with rounded corners to reduce cleaning dead zones and minimize potential hazards from the outset.

      Piping and equipment matching must balance practicality, standardization, and safety. Water and electricity pipelines should adhere to the principle of "safety first, rational layout," with separate circuits for electrical circuits. Precision instruments should be powered by dedicated lines and equipped with voltage stabilizers. Lighting should be separated for experimental and emergency lighting, with an illuminance of no less than 300 lux in the experimental area and an emergency lighting duration of no less than 90 minutes. Water supply and drainage systems should strictly separate experimental and domestic water use. Experimental water should be equipped with a pure water system as needed, and pipes should be made of corrosion-resistant materials. Drainage should implement separate drainage for rainwater and sewage, and clean water and wastewater should be pre-treated to meet standards before being connected to the municipal water network. Laboratories requiring constant temperature and humidity should be equipped with air conditioning and fresh air systems to control the temperature at 20-25℃ and the relative humidity at 40%-60%, while also implementing sound insulation and noise reduction measures to ensure noise levels are below 60 decibels, creating a stable experimental environment.

      Compliance and intelligence are crucial supports for modern laboratory design. Designs must strictly adhere to standards such as the "Laboratory Design Code" and the "Building Fire Protection Design Code" to ensure that fire protection, environmental protection, and security indicators meet standards. Biological laboratories must have corresponding protection designs developed according to their classification. In terms of environmental protection, waste gas, wastewater, and solid waste treatment plans were planned in advance to meet emission requirements. Simultaneously, an intelligent management system was introduced, with IoT monitoring of equipment to achieve fault early warning, an intelligent adjustment platform for the ventilation system to balance energy saving and protection, and an electronic ledger for hazardous chemicals to achieve full-process traceability. Intelligent access control and video surveillance were also installed to restrict unauthorized personnel access, improving operational efficiency and safety.

      In summary, the design of a new laboratory is a complex system engineering project that requires comprehensive consideration of multi-dimensional needs and meticulous attention to detail. In actual design, it is essential to strengthen communication among all parties, optimize the plan based on experimental requirements, and reserve space for future development. Only through scientific planning and precise implementation can a professional laboratory that is practical, safe, compliant, and forward-looking be created, providing a solid guarantee for the smooth conduct of scientific research and contributing to scientific innovation and technological breakthroughs.

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