Guidelines for the Construction of Physicochemical Laboratories: Creating an Accurate and Reliable Testing Environment

Release time:

2026-02-27 14:23

The physicochemical laboratory is a specialized facility for analyzing the composition of substances and testing their physical properties. Its construction requires comprehensive consideration of functional zoning, environmental control, and supporting facilities to provide a solid foundation for reliable testing work.

I. Functional Zone Division

The laboratory is primarily divided into a core functional area and an auxiliary functional area. The core area includes the sample preparation zone, the instrument analysis zone, the chemical manipulation zone, the weighing room, and the high-temperature treatment zone; the auxiliary area encompasses the reagent storage zone, the standard solution room, the washing and disinfection zone, the data processing room, and the office and break area. Each zone is arranged rationally according to the workflow to avoid cross-interference.

II. Environmental Control Requirements

The ventilation system is equipped with local exhaust ventilation (fume hoods and universal hoods) and general air exchange, typically with an air change rate of one per hour. 8–12 times. Temperature and humidity control: For general laboratories, the temperature should be maintained at 18–28℃ with relative humidity between 30% and 70%; for precision instrument rooms, the temperature should be kept at 20–25℃ with relative humidity between 40% and 60%. Regarding pressure differentials, areas generating harmful gases should be maintained at negative pressure, while precision instrument areas should be kept at positive pressure. A pressure differential of 5–10 Pa should be maintained between different functional zones.

III. Basic Supporting Facilities

The water supply and drainage system shall be equipped with purified water units and acid-alkali wastewater treatment facilities. The operational area shall be fitted with emergency eyewash stations and safety showers. The gas supply system shall adopt a centralized gas supply approach and be equipped with leak detection alarms. The power system shall be outfitted with voltage-stabilized power supplies and... UPS, reserve a capacity margin of 20-30%. Lighting requirements: 300-500 lux for the operational area and 500-750 lux for the precision area.

4. Laboratory Furniture

The laboratory bench features a corrosion-resistant countertop (such as solid-core phenolic resin board or epoxy resin board) and is constructed with steel-wood or all-steel materials. The face velocity of the fume hood is controlled within... 0.3–0.8 m/s, equipped with monitoring and alarm functions. Reagent cabinets are categorized according to the properties of the chemicals they contain, including standard cabinets, flammable-material cabinets, and corrosive-material cabinets. The workbench must feature an independent seismic-resistant design.

V. Instrument Configuration and Layout

Commonly used instruments include spectroscopic, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, physical property testing, and sample-preparation equipment. The layout follows the principles of process-oriented arrangement, categorized concentration, and interference isolation. Precision instruments are located away from sources of vibration and electromagnetic interference, and maintenance access lanes are reserved.

VI. Emergency Facilities

Personal protective equipment includes lab coats, goggles, gloves, and more. Fire-fighting facilities are equipped with appropriate fire-extinguishing equipment based on the properties of the chemicals involved. Emergency facilities include emergency eyewash stations (located in the operational area). Within 30 meters), emergency ventilation and emergency lighting.

7. Intelligent Management

The environmental monitoring system continuously tracks temperature, humidity, ventilation status, and gas leaks in real time. The equipment management system enables electronic recording of usage history and provides maintenance reminders. The reagent management system keeps track of inventory levels and issues timely alerts when reagents are nearing their expiration dates. The data management system ensures that experimental data is complete and fully traceable.

VIII. Key Construction Points

The construction process includes requirements analysis, scheme design, construction, commissioning and verification, and delivery for use. Important considerations: The layout should align with the workflow; pipelines should be easily accessible for maintenance; sufficient space should be reserved for future expansion; relevant standards must be strictly adhered to; and attention should be paid to detail handling, such as rounded corners and non-slip flooring.


The construction of physicochemical laboratories requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as functionality, environment, facilities, and support systems. Rational planning can provide a reliable foundation for testing activities, enhance efficiency, ensure safety, and extend the service life of equipment. Current construction trends are moving toward intelligent, modular, and green approaches.

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