Laboratory Safety Design: From Layout to Material Selection

The safety design of a laboratory directly impacts researchers' working environment, the accuracy of experimental data, and long-term operating costs. How to build a safe and efficient laboratory through scientific layout and material selection? This article, in the form of Q&A, combines industry standards and the professional experience of Hamecc Laboratory Renovation to provide you with a comprehensive analysis.

Q1: What are the core principles of laboratory safety design?

A1: The core principles of laboratory safety design can be summarized as the "3P":

Prevention: Reduce accident risks through reasonable layout and protective facilities (such as emergency eyewash stations and explosion-proof cabinets).
Protection: Use corrosion-resistant, fire-resistant, and anti-static materials to ensure safety during long-term use.
Procedure: Comply with standards such as OSHA, ISO 17025, and GB 50736 to ensure compliance.

Hamecc's Recommendation: Incorporate safety risk assessment at the planning stage and customize the plan based on the type of experiment (e.g., chemical, biological, physical).

Q2: How does laboratory layout affect safety? What are the key points?

A2: A reasonable laboratory layout can reduce cross-contamination and optimize emergency response, with key focuses on:

Functional Zoning

Experimental Area: Keep away from entrances and exits to avoid frequent personnel movement.
Storage Area: Store hazardous chemicals separately and equip with explosion-proof ventilation systems.
Office Area: Physically separate from the experimental area to reduce interference.

Circulation Design

Unidirectional flow design (e.g., in PCR laboratories) to prevent sample contamination.
Emergency escape routes should have a width of ≥1.2 meters with clear signs.

Equipment Placement

Large instruments (e.g., centrifuges) should be placed away from walkways to reduce vibration interference.
Fume hoods should not be placed near doors or windows to avoid air flow disturbance.

Q3: How to select laboratory renovation materials? Which key properties cannot be ignored?

A3: Material selection needs to balance safety, durability, and ease of cleaning, with main considerations including:

Worktop Materials

Material Type	Applicable Scenarios	Advantages
Epoxy Resin	Chemical Laboratories	Acid and alkali resistance, impact resistance
Stainless Steel	Aseptic Laboratories	Easy to disinfect, seamless
Ceramic Plates	High-Temperature Experiments	High-temperature resistance, scratch resistance

Flooring Materials

PVC Flooring: Anti-slip and chemical corrosion-resistant, suitable for general laboratories.
Epoxy Flooring: Seamless and anti-static, suitable for electronic laboratories.
Anti-slip Tiles: Cost-effective, but joints need to be sealed.

Walls and Ceilings

Color Steel Plates: Fire-resistant and moisture-proof, suitable for clean laboratories.
Antibacterial Coatings: Used in microbiology laboratories to inhibit mold growth.

Q4: How to design a ventilation system to ensure safety?

A4: The ventilation system is the "lifeline" of laboratory safety, requiring attention to:

Air Change Rate: ≥12 times per hour for chemical laboratories and ≥6 times per hour for biological laboratories.
Airflow Organization: Adopt top-supply and bottom-exhaust to prevent pollutant diffusion.
Intelligent Control: VAV (Variable Air Volume) systems that automatically adjust based on usage conditions.

Q5: How to ensure that laboratory renovation complies with safety regulations?

A5: Strict compliance with the following standards is required:

Chinese Standards: GB 50019 (Ventilation), GB 50189 (Energy Conservation)
International Standards: NFPA 45 (Fire Protection), ANSI/ASSP Z9.5 (Ventilation)
Industry Certifications: Requirements for CNAS and CMA laboratory accreditation

Conclusion: Safe Laboratory = Scientific Design + High-Quality Materials + Professional Team

Laboratory safety design is by no means a simple assembly; it requires systematic thinking and rich experience:

· Customized safety layout solutions
· Global high-quality building material supply chain
· Full-process compliance guarantee

For laboratory safety design consultation, please contact Hamecc—let professionalism ensure safety!