What should be considered in a biology lab?
Biology laboratory design needs to factor in all the usual elements of good lab design, including ergonomic workbenches and furniture, good availability of services like power, water and gas, and enough storage for everything you need close to hand.
In addition, there are several important things to consider in a biology lab that arise from the specific nature of the materials handled and the work carried out.
1. Sample storage
Biological samples may need to be stored in chilled or freezing conditions. Built-in lab fridges and freezers help ensure that materials stay at the target temperature for longer and are only brought out into room-temperature air when you begin working on them.
Storage may need to provide separate, isolated chambers for samples of different types, safe and secure places for hazardous chemicals and reagents, and, again, convenient positions for more efficient processing.
2. Contamination prevention
Contamination prevention is a crucial element in biology lab design. Performance materials make it easier to keep surfaces clean and free from any spills and residues. BSL-1 to BSL-4 biosafety precautions allow us to design and build lab interiors to the required safety level.
Filtered ventilation can keep fresh air circulating, with vented fume cupboards to extract any potentially hazardous emissions during chemical reactions and sample preparation. S+B’s expertise in built-in fume cupboards is unbeaten.
3. Health and hygiene
We apply high standards of health and hygiene across all the surfaces, services, and storage in your biology lab. This means installing services where they are less likely to pose a hazard and using methods like overhead service delivery where appropriate.
We give you a biotech laboratory that meets all your needs, without putting personnel at risk. That means first and foremost, your employees are safe in their working environment, allowing research and diagnostics to proceed with confidence.
What equipment is required in a biology lab?
Biology labs may need a wide range of specialist equipment to keep environmental conditions at target and to allow work to be carried out with reliable results.
1. Environmental monitoring
Precise monitoring and control of environmental variables such as room temperature, humidity, and air quality are essential to ensure repeatable results and protect biological samples.
2. Sinks and services
Biotech labs have a greater need for cleanliness services like sinks and hand-wash stations. We can design and build these into the fabric of your lab for convenience.
3. Windows and doors
Windows and doors may need to be secured when handling hazardous biological samples. We can include this security in your biotech laboratory design and provide alternative forms of ventilation during extended ‘clean room’ operations.