The design of pathology labs and diagnostic facilities plays a crucial role in the research process, combines office space and science lab elements, and must be realized to promote productivity, innovation, and safety. When you are looking for the right customized laboratory solutions for your design, you will want to work with a laboratory consulting firm. These are a few factors we urge you to consider when designing your pathology lab.
A lengthy period of pre-planning is required for the design of a pathology lab. It is critical to engage with the individuals who will be using the area because you will customize the lab to whatever the research requires and identify superfluous elements quickly. Collaboration with scientists provides designers with precision, which is especially useful for exceptional, uncommon scientific research.
It is critical to have safety features on hand when designing your lab. A well-designed pathology lab buildout allows researchers to concentrate on their tasks rather than being extremely careful about emergencies and possible accidents. Components such as fire detection, Biosafety cabinets, suppression systems, emergency shower/eyewash stations, and marked exits should all be easily accessible. Subsequently, researchers can perform their required tasks to the best of their abilities, knowing that the proper precautions have been taken. The proper ventilation systems, tailor-made to the activities of researchers, should also be in place. Also, temperature control keeps users comfortable and can boost productivity.
The location and layout of your laboratory should be considered when designing the lab buildout. For instance, will a multi-story building necessitate the proper vertical transportation? Will researchers have easy access to utilities, waste disposal, and the necessary instruments? Room layout is influenced by factors such as accessibility of equipment, ease of maintenance, heating and air conditioning requirements, and ergonomic design.
For access and workflow improvement, benches for admin work, write-ups, and sample preparation must be placed around the perimeter walls. Similarly, the users should have manageable bench height and depth to account for the ergonomic use of instruments. Most importantly, consider constructing a flexible pathology lab buildout for future modifications.
Over time, lab technologies, research methods, and techniques will evolve. Some of the pathology lab buildout designs previously stated by researchers need to be flexible so that your lab adapts to future modifications. For this to be achieved, creating a lab should be easily reconfigurable for it to remain flexible. Worktops and equipment stations can be relocated to meet the needs of a new project without bringing outside laborers. Arrangements that primarily reduce physical strain on the researcher and provide plenty of natural daylight can also significantly improve researcher performance.
Materials that could cause a fire or explosion or release a flammable or poisonous gas when mixed with other substances must be stored separately. Essentially, when designing the shelves, incorporate enough space for secondary containers. Recommend that solvent storage not be located beneath the laboratory fume hood, as this is where laboratory fires are most likely to occur.
These are some of the important factors to consider when you are designing your pathology lab. If you are looking to implement customized laboratory solutions in your new facility, contact Hankins Consulting for help today.
