Many things need to work together for a medical lab to be well-designed. These include space, workflow, equipment, lighting, plumbing, electrical systems, and communication. There are many benefits to having a workspace built and set up with care, and when you plan for laboratory growth management, you can grow your lab into an efficient space. These are a few ways that you can design an efficient and safe medical lab.
If the lab isn't big enough to meet the users' needs, there won't be enough space for benches and equipment storage, and it won't be as functional. This problem usually occurs when lab equipment gets into places it shouldn't, like hallways and other common areas. That can cause several safety issues.
Working with lab users and managers early in the design process helps the design team determine the right size for the lab. They will be able to ascertain how many and what kind of users will be using it. And they will identify what equipment is already in the lab and what size it is. With the help of diagrams, plans, and workflows, the design team can coordinate the effective use of space.
A well-designed laboratory has enough storage space, which makes the space safer and more efficient to work in. You could add more cabinets, a storage closet, or shelving to your lab to make more room for storage. Now medical labs deal with plenty of chemicals that demand you follow certain storage rules. For example, you should never put chemicals on the floor or in a place where people walk. The unit should be raised along the edge when using shelf space, so things don't fall off.
You can't plan your lab's layout until you list all the equipment you'll need. When planning the layout of a lab, many things will depend on how much and what kind of equipment you use. Planning and designing a laboratory involve arranging the space and determining the power and plumbing needs. Moreso, it involves putting equipment where it will be safest and most effective.
You have to work with the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers to ensure that the drawings are well-coordinated. If you visit a lab where wall-mounted pipes block shelves or electrical equipment block casework, you'll see how horrible it is when MEP disciplines don't work well together. These conflicts are bad for the look of the lab and make it harder to build. They also make it harder for contractors and future maintenance workers to do their jobs. Lab planners, architects, and MEP engineers must work together and double-check drawings carefully to ensure they are well-coordinated.
You can help with this by using technical tools, but check your view plane to get a full look at the space. You can also run clash-detection programs and have the mechanical engineer examine your equipment and ceiling heights.
Proper lighting is vital if you want your lab to be both efficient and safe. Using natural light is a good design choice because it can save energy. But there are times when your researchers might not want or be able to have natural light in their research space. This could happen if they work with lasers, electron microscopes, or other light-sensitive equipment that doesn't work well in natural light. So, when designing a lab, you'll want to ensure the lighting fits the needs of the researchers.
With these tips, you can achieve an efficient and safe medical lab. If you are looking for help with your laboratory growth management, contact our professionals in lab consulting today!
