With increased demand by life science companies for laboratory space and a long-term reduced need for traditional office space, there’s a growing trend to create successful lab facilities within the shell of a former office building. Little’s team has a long history of working with both building types and understands the considerations and opportunities critical to these conversions.
We’ll help you carefully consider every need – from site to facility infrastructure – to ensure your lab is programmed to your exact needs. After all, we know there’s no such thing as generic science or a generic lab.
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While much success in the office-to-lab conversion lies in the building itself, it’s important to recognize any challenges and opportunities associated with the site.
- Know your neighbors and seek compatible business types
- Investigate adjacent exterior vibration and noise
- Study utilities, water source and quality
- Ensure access for daily deliveries, gas bottles, etc.
- Make accommodations for a utility yard for an emergency generator and LN2 and Co2 bulk tanks, if required, with the ability to refill
- Keep in mind the importance of having amenities, both passive and active
- Ensure the site is zoned for your science, as it may require a Change of Use based on zoning ordinances
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Since offices are designed and built differently from laboratories, these conversions require experienced team members who can anticipate common structural roadblocks.
- Seek a minimum of 15’-16’ floor-to-floor height to allow for extensive air exhaust and ductwork
- Ensure structure can withstand 100 lbs/sf live load, 8,000 MIPS base for vibration
- Look for an ideal column spacing of 33’ but know it’s not always necessary
- Evaluate ability to modify roof structure to carry heavy HVAC systems and check zoning for roof screening of the larger units
- Know if you will have the ability to core drill the structure
- Understand that in light structures, bar joists are not capable of carrying heavy piping and duct systems
- Research vibration levels — typically slab on grade will meet criteria but upper floors may require strengthening
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Facility needs for laboratories are beyond the standard design capacities of typical commercial buildings. It’s important to understand what substantial upgrades will need to be made to accommodate your lab-specific needs.
- Evaluate the ability to subdivide your space — 5/10/20,000 sf
- Determine your loading dock preference and whether to share it with other tenants
- Seek advantages such as common restrooms and collaboration spaces
- Ensure internal and external security
- Carefully inspect roof and architectural systems to ensure there is no air infiltration that can create moisture and pressure problems
- Be certain loading dock, corridors and service elevator can handle large equipment and hazardous materials — they should be separated for use with typical office functions
- Research the allowable limit of chemical and biologic hazardous materials and ensure fire ratings support these storage areas — taller buildings will limit size due to occupant safety, affecting the type of science you can conduct on various floors
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Mechanical systems provided within a standard office building are well-known and focused on occupant comfort. It’s important to recognize that systems for lab systems are dramatically more complex.
- Know the existing system and its capability
- Once-through air is usually required for lab processes
- Recirculated air is appropriate for office functions
- Install capabilities for your labs to have controlled environments — temperature, humidity and pressurization
- Ensure existing ducts are not lined
- Be certain that exhaust and supply air is separated — never have fresh air intakes at the loading dock
- Ask if chilled water exists
- Evaluate opportunities for compressed air, vacuum, nitrogen and other gases
- Understand access to natural gas
- Be aware of air changes, depending on the function of the lab
- Evaluate whether there is separate air handling and exhaust systems from other building functions — vivariums and clean rooms will require significant ventilation
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Lab space uses more power than a typical office building and generally requires a standby power generator to protect critical infrastructure systems and ongoing research. Additional service may require coordination with the municipal utility provider.
- Research an emergency generator size for coordination with site, landscaping and screening as well as access around the unit
Evaluate these general best practices for biomedical or life science labs:
- Lighting minimum 70 ft candle at bench, lighting spacing, location, height is critical as it relates to shadows
- Normal power 13-18 watts/sf
- Emergency power 3.5 watts/sf or more
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Specialty plumbing must be included in the design to make a successful conversion from office to lab. A significant aspect of plumbing is focused on lab waste.
- Evaluate for clean water systems
- Test existing water systems for contaminants
- Make certain that waste piping systems for domestic use and lab waste are always separate, as lab waste piping is acid resistant
- Know the local requirements that will dictate whether waste piping goes to an outside collection tank where it can be neutralized before released to a general waste system OR whether each lab sink can have a collection point and test point
- Evaluate the fire protection system for capacity based on the use hazard