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Design Criteria for Laboratories

  1. Laboratory Furniture & Fixture Specifications

    All casework, counter tops, utility service fixtures, fume hoods and miscellaneous items of furniture shown on the drawings shall be furnished as described in this specification section. This includes delivery, unloading, unpacking, set-up, leveling and securing to walls and floors, and removal of all resulting debris. All equipment specified in this section shall be furnished only by manufacturers who have successfully demonstrated fixture compatibility through approved submittals.

    1. Casework Design and Components

      Casework shall be furnished according to construction documents. Casework includes base cabinets, wall and storage cases, reagent racks, shelving, pegboards, free-standing tables, miscellaneous furniture, knee space panels, filler panels, scribes and base molding.

      1. Cabinetry materials.

        Standard, floor-mounted, closed-base cabinetry with or without access doors, shall be used in all laboratories. Approved materials for cabinetry include:

        1. Metal or hardwood (such as oak) in general research and teaching laboratories where humidity and temperature will be controlled, where casework maintenance is not a factor, and where planned laboratory activities are unlikely to cause flammable, corrosive or toxic substances to be absorbed into or corrode the surface.

        2. Plastic laminate in storage and workrooms requiring base or wall storage of equipment and where appropriate color matches are desired. Only non-combustible and non-reactive laminates may be used where flammable, corrosive, or reactive materials are stored or used.

      2. Base cabinets.

        Base cabinets shall be in accordance with the plans and elevation drawings as to size, location, door and drawer configuration.

        1. Knee space panels shall be used to enclose the rear portions of an area under an apron rail and between base cabinets to enclose the plumbing space or to shield between opposing assemblies, as in peninsular or island assemblies, and shall be secured with grommets and screws.

        2. Scribes shall be used where casework or filler panels abut walls, columns, pilasters or other casework.

        3. Filler panels shall be provided to enclose spaces between casework and abutting surfaces.

        4. Casework shall be constructed with a flush-lipped overlap on all four sides of doors and drawers.

      3. Wall cases.

        1. Wall cases shall have wood-framed glass sliding doors and be in accordance with the plans and elevation drawings as to size and location.

        2. Bypass stops shall be included on all sliding doors.

      4. Storage cases.

        1. Storage cases shall have doors and shall be in accordance with the plans and elevation drawings as to size and location.

        2. Bypass stops shall be included on all sliding doors.

      5. Reagent racks.

        Reagent racks shall be constructed of the manufacturer’s standard materials for reagent racks, coated with a chemical-resistant finish, and of the size, configuration and location per contract documents.

      6. Reagent shelving.

        Reagent shelving shall be constructed of the manufacturer’s standard materials for reagent shelving and be of the size and location as per construction documents.

        1. Shelving shall have a 1/2-inch retaining lip.

        2. Shelving height shall not exceed 5 feet from floor.

        3. Shelving shall be coated with a chemical-resistant finish.

      7. Pegboards.

        1. Pegboards shall be constructed of manufacturers’ standard materials for pegboards.

        2. Pegboards shall be made of chemical resistant material or coated with a chemical-resistant finish.

        3. Pegboards shall be of the size and location as shown on the plans or elevation drawings.

        4. Pegs shall be polypropylene or equivalent chemical resistant material.

      8. Tables.

        1. Tables shall be constructed of solid hardwood or metal with tops as specified under “surfaces” in this document.

        2. Tables 36 inches or more in height shall be provided with leg stretchers.

      9. Chairs and stools.

        Laboratory chairs and stools provided shall have non-fabric coverings and be easily cleaned and disinfected. Materials that are easily cut or damaged should not be specified.

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    2. Casework Installation and Performance

      1. Finished Surfaces Protection

        Finished furniture and equipment surfaces shall be protected from soiling and damage during handling and installation by keeping polyethylene film or similar protective covering over it until final installation.

      2. Installation specifics.

        Manufacturer’s installation instructions shall be followed.

        1. Base cabinets, alone or connected, shall be leveled and provide a firm foundation for counter tops, and, in assembly, screwed together, front and back, the front of the base cabinets being aligned with each other.

        2. Scribes shall be secured to both the casework and abutting structures.

        3. Casework joints shall be squared. Wooden joints shall be glued and screwed in place.

        4. Knee spaces and filler panels and scribes shall be structurally integrated and of neat appearance.

        5. Rigid molding (such as metal) shall be furnished and installed along the backs of toe spaces, exposed ends of casework and around open knee spaces. All molding shall be caulked and sealed with chemically-resistant material.

        6. Cabinet door catches and drawer stops shall be well-aligned.

        7. Cabinet base anchors shall be provided and installed.

        8. Wall cases shall be secured to walls (metal stud walls shall be reinforced) with no less than 4 fasteners per wall case, 2 each in both the top and bottom of wall case. Wall cases within the same room shall be level with each other, whether or not in the same assembly, and all wall cases shall be plumb.

        9. The base of wall cases shall be positioned 54 inches above the finished floor, or as detailed on the drawings.

        10. Storage cases shall be installed plumb and attached to walls at the top and bottom with no less than 2 fasteners per case.

        11. Reagent racks shall be mounted with the base of the uprights flush with the countertop, and fastened to prevent moving with at least 2 fasteners per upright.

        12. Wall-mounted reagent shelving shall be installed flush with the wall. Each reagent shelf shall have a 1/2-inch retaining lip.

        13. Floor-standing reagent racks shall be installed plumb.

        14. Reagent shelves shall be secured to walls with at least 4 fasteners per rack, 2 each at top and bottom.

        15. Tables shall be assembled and set in place with the specified top secured with fasteners on 12-inch centers.

        16. Pegboards shall be mounted flush to walls and secured with at least 4 corner fasteners.

        Cabinet doors and drawers shall open and close without sticking. Wall case and storage case doors shall operate without sticking.

      3. Countertop materials

        Countertops include all work surfaces in laboratories, including backsplashes and end curbs. Countertop materials shall be of smooth finish, chemical resistant, durable, appropriate for intended use, and easily cleaned and disinfected. Examples of approved countertop materials include:

        1. Composition stone – with a chemical-resistant finish or low-gloss vinyl sealer.

        2. Natural quarry stone – with a chemical resistant finish.

        3. Solid resin – compounded solid resin throughout.

      4. Countertop configuration.

        1. Countertops shall be as long as practical, based on a 72- or 96-inch module length, unless specified for shorter assemblies.

        2. Countertops shall be one piece, 30 inches in depth (front to back), unless specified at shorter depth (24 inches).

        3. Countertop sections, backsplashes, and curbs shall be secured with screws and chemical-resistant adhesive compound.

        4. Countertops shall be a minimum of 1-inch thick and have a drip groove along the underside of exposed edges.

        5. Countertops, backsplashes and curbs shall have a 1/4-inch radius on all exposed corners.

        6. Backsplashes and curbs shall be 4 inches high, at least 3/4-inch thick, and provided along the backs of countertops, abutting walls and taller furniture, and where columns and pilasters abut the countertop.

        7. End curbs on a 30-inch high countertop shall extend to the bottom side of any adjacent 36-inch high countertop.

        8. All countertops shall have an overhang of 1 inch on all exposed edges and shall have cutouts for all specified service fixtures.

      5. Countertop installation

        Countertops shall be installed and secured level, both along the length and width of the surface.

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    3. Service Fixtures

      Service fixtures include all liquid, gas, air and electrical outlets, tank nipples and fasteners, laboratory sink bowls, cupsinks, and overflows. Utility service fixtures shall be furnished for plumbing and electrical outlets as described in these specifications or shown on the drawings.

      1. Service fixture requirements / identification.

        Plumbing service fixtures shall be laboratory grade with handles color-coded and labeled by type of service in accordance with the following schedule:

        • Gas = blue
        • Air = orange
        • Vacuum = yellow
        • Hot water = red
        • Cold water = green
        • Hot & cold mixing = red for hot, green for cold

        • Steam = black

        Gas, air and vacuum service fixtures should be positioned left to right (facing the fixtures) unless mounted on lab island counters accessed on both sides.

      2. Cold water service fixtures.

        Cold water service fixtures shall be provided with an integral vacuum breaker and a 10-serrated hose connection end. Hot and cold mixing water service fixtures shall be provided with an anti-splash spout. Deck-mounted hot, cold, and hot/cold mixing water service fixtures shall be fixed 6-inch gooseneck type unless otherwise specified. Water fixture valves shall be furnished as follows:

        • Cold water handle turns clockwise to “on” position.

        • Hot water handle turns counter-clockwise to “on” position.

      3. Gas, air, vacuum service fixtures.

        Gas, air, vacuum service fixtures shall have wing style handles.

      4. Special water service fixtures.

        Special water service fixtures for distilled, de-mineralized, de-ionized or filtered water service shall be polypropylene with self-closing valves.

      5. Sinks.

        1. Sizes of sinks, cup sinks, sink outlets, strainers, and overflows shall be as specified on the drawings.

        2. Equipment furnished shall include the sink bowl, outlets, strainers, and overflow (2 inches below the inside top of the sink bowl).

        3. The sink counter outlet shall be 1 1/2-inch diameter overlapping interior sink dimensions by 1/2-inch or more on all four sides.

        4. Sinks shall be designed and installed to allow for maintenance access to drain traps.

      6. Cupsinks.

        1. Cupsinks shall be 6 inch inside diameter, hemispherical at double-faced island and peninsular assemblies, and/or

        2. 3 inch by 6-inch oval configuration along wall assemblies, with secured strainer.

      7. Neutralization tanks.

        Neutralization tanks shall be designed and installed in accordance with the most recent version of the International Plumbing Code. Such units, whether located outside the building, underground, or under sinks in labs, shall be designed and located to provide for safe access and regular maintenance.

      8. Bench-top drain troughs.

        Bench-top drain troughs are not permitted in any newly constructed laboratories.

      9. Floor drains.

        Floor drains may be designed and installed in newly constructed laboratories primarily for the purpose of preventing significant facility damage in the event of a major water release or spill and to allow for the testing of safety showers. The drains shall be equipped with flush-mounted caps so that inadvertently spilled chemicals or other undesirable materials will not enter the sanitary sewer system. In addition, the neutralization tanks referenced in section IV-C.7 above shall provide a redundant means of containment for inadvertently spilled materials which may enter the drain system. Users shall be instructed on the importance of regular and periodic drain maintenance (e.g. ensuring the drain traps do not dry out, checking the drain caps, etc.). Automatic trap primer valves shall be installed, as necessary, to prevent drying out of seldom-used floor drains.

      10. Electrical service fixtures.

        Electrical service fixtures shall be the type specified or shown on drawings. Flush plates shall be stainless steel. Unless otherwise specified, the following electrical services shall be furnished:

        1. 120-volts, single phase, 3-wire polarized duplex, single or double-face receptacles.

        2. 208-volts, single or 3-phase, 3 or 4-wire polarized receptacle. Each receptacle shall be ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected whenever located within 6 feet of a water supply, including a shower stream. Cupsinks are excepted from this requirement.

      11. Electric circuits.

        All electrical circuits within a laboratory shall be properly identified as to their service function within the circuit breaker panel. Any ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuits shall be labeled as such.

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    4. Service Fixture Installation and Performance

      All service fixtures shall be installed per manufacturer instructions and perform as designed when operational.

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