Laboratory planning, design and construction: laying a solid foundation for safe and efficient scientific research
As the core carrier of scientific research and testing, the scientific nature of the planning, design, and construction of laboratories directly determines research efficiency, operational safety, and long-term maintenance costs. The entire process must adhere to the core principles of "compliance first, functional suitability, safety controllability, and green energy conservation," achieving precise control across all dimensions from spatial layout to system implementation.
The planning stage is the prerequisite for laboratory construction. It requires clearly defining the core purpose (e.g., chemical, biological, physical, microbiological laboratories), testing/research project needs, and future expansion space. The key lies in rationally dividing functional areas, strictly separating personnel, material, and wastewater flows, and clearly defining the boundaries of areas such as hazardous chemical storage areas, experimental operation areas, sample preparation areas, clean areas, and waste liquid and gas treatment areas. Simultaneously, space must be reserved for the laying of ventilation, water, electricity, and gas pipelines to avoid risks associated with later modifications. Furthermore, it is necessary to benchmark against local laboratory safety regulations and industry standards to ensure that the planning scheme complies with environmental protection, fire protection, and biosafety compliance requirements.
The design stage requires refining and implementing the planning scheme, focusing on a deep integration of functionality and safety. In system design, the ventilation system needs to be customized according to the type of experiment (e.g., universal exhaust hoods for chemical laboratories, high-efficiency exhaust systems for biosafety laboratories) to ensure timely exhaust of waste gas and avoid cross-contamination. The design of water, electricity, and gas circuits must balance stability and safety, using corrosion-resistant and leak-proof pipelines, separating strong and weak current wiring, and installing backfire and backflow prevention devices on gas pipelines. Environmental protection design requires a complete waste liquid collection and treatment system and noise control facilities to reduce environmental impact. Simultaneously, laboratory floors, walls, and ceilings must be made of acid- and alkali-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and easy-to-clean materials, with rounded corners to reduce dust accumulation and pollution risks.
The construction phase is crucial for the implementation of the design plan and must strictly follow the sequence of "concealed areas first, then main structure; systems first, then terminals." Concealed works (pipelines, ducts, waterproofing layers, etc.) require close monitoring, including pressure testing, leak detection, and video recording to ensure secure connections and adequate protection. Main construction must adhere precisely to material selection standards to guarantee the sealing and corrosion resistance of walls, floors, doors, and windows. Equipment installation requires collaboration with a professional team to ensure the precise placement of fume hoods, lab benches, and testing instruments, seamlessly integrating them with the piping system. A safety management system must be established during construction, standardizing hazardous work procedures and simultaneously controlling construction dust and noise to ensure construction safety and environmental cleanliness.
Laboratory planning, design, and construction are interconnected systems requiring close collaboration between planning, design, and construction teams, balancing immediate needs with long-term development. Only by adhering to compliance and safety standards throughout the entire process and accurately matching functional requirements can a high-quality laboratory with high efficiency, safety, and stability be built, laying a solid foundation for scientific research and testing.