Guidelines for Designing Your Lab Space

There’s a lot that goes into designing your ideal laboratory space. To help, we’ve developed a comprehensive set of guidelines that covers everything you need to consider when you are starting the planning and design process.

Our guidelines cover many parts of the planning process, including:

  • General requirements, including a review of the types of procedures that will be done there, the number of people who will work there, the types of equipment and technology that will be used there, and your future plans.
  • Health and safety considerations, including fire and safety codes, ADA compliance requirements, ventilation needs, and fire safety.
  • Technology requirements, including the number of computers, the number of electrical outlets that will be needed, internet and data network requirements, and any audio/visual needs.
  • Environmental requirements, including local, state or national chemical disposal requirements, and recycling.

The guidelines include information on determining your goals and laboratory design requirements, designing a safe and efficient lab, and includes examples of several common laboratory layouts. In addition, there are checklists, references, and a quick guide to laboratory design standards.

Guidelines for Designing Lab Space