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Design Criteria for Laboratories

  1. Laboratory Layout

    1. Floor Area

      1. Aisle space.

        Clear aisle space between cabinetry, benches and equipment shall be a minimum of 4 feet. Ceiling air diffusers and grills should be located over open aisles to provide maximum air distribution and circulation and needed accessibility for airflow rate/volume testing.

      2. Wall space.

        Clear wall space inside and adjacent to the entry door shall be a minimum of 2 feet to allow for light switches, telephone, thermostats, and fire extinguisher.

      3. Cabinet and shelf locations.

        Cabinets and shelving shall not be located directly under sprinkler heads to prevent stacked materials from impeding water flow.

      4. Equipment placement.

        Floor space shall be planned for needed existing and anticipated equipment. Drawings shall show equipment with broken lines, crosshatches for existing equipment, and shaded areas for anticipated equipment.

      5. Doorway width.

        Doorways into laboratories having fume hoods and/or other large equipment shall be self-closing and open in the direction of egress. They shall provide a leaf of 48 inch width or have an active leaf width of 36 inches and an inactive leaf width of 12 inches, providing an opening of 48 inches. Vented laboratory doors are prohibited.

      6. Flooring.

        Flooring in laboratories shall be constructed of non-permeable material and shall be chemical resistant. Slip resistant matting, also constructed of non-permeable, chemically-resistant material, shall be provided where appropriate.

    2. Airflow Patterns

      1. Air turbulence.

        Laboratory size and layout clearances shall be coordinated with HVAC design and fume hood placement to avoid creating turbulent air near fume hoods or biological safety cabinets, and dead air pockets or reverse air currents along the hood opening. Hoods should be located away from aisles, doors, and air supply vents.

      2. Chemical storage room HVAC.

        Rooms intended for the storage of hazardous chemicals shall be a minimum of 1-hour fire-rated construction and shall have a non-recirculating exhaust air system.

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