It can be complicated to design pathology labs. Companies need to be flexible to changes in the market to stay competitive. New products and services can force changes in operations. These changes can be costly for companies that have labs. Unfortunately, some companies make bad choices when saving money and avoid planning. Safety issues and additional costs are often the results of poor planning. Experts offer these lab design mistakes that companies should always avoid:
Many companies try to save money by purchasing imported products at lower prices like fume hoods, workstations, lab benches, lab tables, and seating, but doing this is very risky. You may end up losing money in the long run if you choose cheap imported furniture. It can be difficult to get replacement parts for imported products that have limited warranties or no warranties at all. Imported lab furniture often has safety or quality issues. Companies that purchase cheap imported furniture often have to spend extra money down the road because repairs are needed. They have to replace the furniture because of failures, or renovations to the lab are required because something they purchase didn't fit correctly into their plans. It's important to always use products from a manufacturer who is UL listed or meets ANSI BIFMA standards.
It's always important to remember that what labs are doing today may not be the same thing they are doing tomorrow. Lab environments have continued advancement, and new equipment, instruments, and robotics are often in their environments. Building labs with adaptability and flexibility in mind will help a company be much more successful in its lab design. Purchasing lab equipment like fixed cabinetry can result in more costs later when things in the laboratory need to change.
Designing without flexibility often causes companies to be stuck with a design that's no longer functional or have to spend extra money to redesign the lab for updates.
Mobile case goods and modular workstations are essential for forward-thinking design companies. Companies should keep multiple configurations of a customized laboratory in mind during the initial process of designing the lab to be more flexible to changes in the future. Much time and money can be saved in the long run when using the newest lab design with built-in flexibility.
Companies that look to buy the cheapest countertops available may have problems in the future and end up having to spend much more money than they planned. Therefore, it is essential to focus on purchasing the most suitable countertop material for your laboratory that includes safe heat exposure, scratch resistance, moisture resistance, corrosion resistance, fungus resistance, bacterial resistance, and chemical resistance, to name a few. In addition, laboratory work surfaces should last more than two decades if a company gets countertop materials right during the design process.
Technological changes in how people work in labs have caused many employees to spend much more time sitting. Recent research shows that sitting for long periods can lead to significant health risks. Unfortunately, many companies do not take ergonomics as a serious consideration. They often believe that if they purchase an ergonomic chair, they have done their part to keep employees safe. But ergonomics requires much more attention than this in a lab setting. Companies must consider the location of the tools and the movements that go into an employee’s work process, the quality of the seating they're provided with, and an overall picture of how their employee’s work.
A company needs to talk to its lab designers about its technology plans. Important information that design companies require includes the type of large equipment that needs to be included in the lab, the type of electrical and data needs the lab has, and how many people will be working within the lab confines. Detailed planning for technology and employee spaces is critical because forgetting can be costly. When a contractor has to make adjustments after the design process, a company is forced to pay extra money for their time and efforts. Having a clear design plan that helps account for any growth and the type of lab furniture you are planning to include will save lots of money and headaches in the future.
Designing a laboratory requires many considerations. Having a customized laboratory requires working with a company with experience in the industry. It can help you create a workspace that will provide for your needs today and far into the future. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you design the most efficient and effective lab space possible for your individual needs.
