Anatomy of a Modern Lab Install

As a laboratory manager, owner or designer you are likely in the process of building a new lab or revamping one, thinking about it, or about to have the need forced upon you. Laboratory design is now going through the most notable rethinking in the last half-century. What has changed, in addition to modern diagnostic equipment that is de rigor, is the notion of versatility. There is a recognition that laboratories need to change as both purpose and technologies change. This is the tact being taken now by major lab architects and consultants (see side bar).

A case in point is the recent renovation and expansion at a major medical lab and diagnostic equipment manufacturer in New Jersey. The company recently expanded their Chemistry, R&D, and Service/Training Labs by more than 200,000 square feet. As part of the expansion, a complete renovation of existing lab areas was undertaken as well. One of the most critical design decisions was to bypass casework lab counters and fixtures in favor of modular lab workstations.

Key objectives for lab furnishings according to the the customer, included "Versatility, ease of future expansion and reconfiguration, storage, mobility, strength and stability for heavy instruments and assembly fixtures, full accessibility to those instruments, durability, lighting, and an overall cosmetic improvement to the lab environment." This last issue is important not only for workplace enhancement but for facilities that offer customer/client tours or 'walk-throughs'. You only get one chance to make a good first impression. The company made the decision that their laboratories would mirror the sophistication and immaculate design of the diagnostic instruments they manufacture.

While architectural plans were in completion, the company researched lab-furnishing manufacturers that could meet their objectives for design and performance. They finalized their review by selecting IAC LLC of Brea, CA, makers of the Dimension 4 Series of modular workstations. The Dimension 4 and other IAC furnishings had been used with great success in a sister laboratory. A company representative explained, "One of the deciding factors in our decision to use IAC LLC as the furniture vendor was based on recommendations from managers of our labs in Los Angeles. They had used IAC LLC as a laboratory furniture vendor, and were very complimentary about the quality and durability of the product and the service provided."

Focus Assembly, an IAC LLC representative in New Jersey, was contacted to coordinate the product selection, custom requirements, ordering, and final installation. The manufacturing, shipping and installations were timed to meet the lab construction timelines. Chip Loree, of Focus Assembly, explains, "It was important to bring the new lab space online as quickly and efficiently as possible. The customer provided the construction schedules, which spanned some 18 months, and together with IAC we coordinated the product shipping and installations to coincide with lab completion. We had seven separate installation periods during this time."

In preparing for an extensive lab renovation, plans should accommodate not only construction scheduling, but for special furnishing needs. There will often be needs that are not met by off-the shelf products. It's best to select a furnishing manufacturer that also embraces custom engineering. The customer found that by enlisting members of their lab teams into the furnishings selection process, they not only assured satisfactory workspace and storage for the specific tasks of individuals, they also elicited great ideas for specialty furnishings that enhanced the lab functionality.

For the main development labs, the customer chose to use IAC's Dimension 4 modular workstations. This is modular system of "starter" and "add-on" workstations that connect to one another to form work lines or cells in either single- or double-sided configurations. They were selected primarily for their and ability to be reconfigured or expanded as lab requirement dictate. In addition, the Dimension 4 series offers a very large variety of storage, shelving, lighting, surface, and productivity accessory options. This enabled Ryan to configure each work area with the ideal drawers, cabinets and shelving needed for the tasks handled.

In addition to standard Dimension 4 workstations, the customer made a number of these special requests of IAC LLC - ranging from minor modifications to completely new furnishings. As an example, the stock IAC Workmaster™ pedestal style workbenches feature a small table top overhang on all sides. When these workbenches are placed side by side, with table tops butted together, there are small gaps between the workbench pedestals that expose a few inches of flooring between the workbenches. For sanitation and "housekeeping" (not surprising in a laboratory environment) the customer asked to have the side and back table top overhangs eliminated to remove this void between the cabinet pedestals. Another modification to the same workbenches was the creation of a custom reagent shelf to run down the middle of rows of workbenches placed back-to-back. These units provide a low-rise shelf space accessible from either side, and allow power and networking conduits to distributed connections to face of the riser in front of each operator-very clean and efficient.

A series of rolling cabinets with integrated power strips, each 8-feet long, was designed specifically for the the customer's diagnostic instruments. They wanted mobility to allow easy access to all sides of the instrument for development, testing and demonstrations. The large cabinets integrated into the units provide valuable storage. For flexibility of purpose, the customer had heavy duty rolling casters placed on a number of workstations, including the IAC Pro Series cantilever style workbenches. Combined with integral strength of the Pro Series, the added mobility had unplanned benefits. One of the customer’s lab managers relates, "The Pro Series is so strong that we load equipment on it roll it from one end of the facility to the other; all the way out to the shipping docks!" This sort of multifunction versatility is just what the customer strived for, and is a foundation of flexibility when designing modern laboratories and R&D facilities. The customer also received a rolling presentation lectern built with Dimension 4 components featuring built-in locking storage.

After eighteen months of construction and integration, the customer completed their expansion and revitalization. With careful considerations and preplanning they have the foundation to easily accommodate growth and market changes for decades to come. The customer credited IAC LLC and Focus Assembly with a very smooth and trouble-free transition. After more than a year of use, they are extremely pleased with the functionality and durability of the new furnishings, not to mention the pride they now take in showing their many customers around in their beautifully modern labs.