In other words, renewables are getting progressively harder to do.

For example, neighbouring tenancies may currently rely on staff crossing through the new lab to reach a second means of escape, which might no longer be possible.Similarly, labs in office buildings can result in additional occupancy types (‘purpose groups’ in the UK) and will therefore drive the need for additional fire compartments.. Possible solutions could include storing materials or siting labs on ground or lower floors, local gas generation (to reduce peak volumes), detection, shut-off and alarm systems, local extract or natural ventilation, and it may be necessary to divide labs up into smaller compartments to keep hazardous material quantities below acceptable limits.

In the UK it can also be useful to appoint a specialist Approved Inspector rather than go through the Local Authority Building Control.This will often accelerate the project, which is particularly important in the life science industry, and they will be more familiar with labs and specialist standards that can be more forgiving (e.g.Of course, there are a wide range of other health, safety, and environmental regulations to incorporate, as well as the possibility of insurance or employer standards and recommendations that can, for example, dictate sprinklers even when this isn’t a legal necessity.. 9.

Façades & finishes..Existing office façades and finishes may be unsuitable for more stringent lab conditions.. For most office to lab conversions façades will simply require locking of openable windows and general making good.

However, for Containment Level 3 (or BSL3) labs and above, cleanrooms, environments requiring exceptionally tight tolerances, and other more onerous requirements, façades can be quite problematic.

Airtightness is a particular challenge that can make a perfectly adequate office facade ill-suited for lab use, or may result in suppliers unwilling to guarantee lab performance, or disputes during commissioning.The construction industry has been stuck in a time warp of lowest price, maximum risk transfer.

A platforms approach to construction has a profound impact on productivity, cost, carbon, skills, safety, and the potential for digital workflows to automate key pieces of the design process.Once the benefits are clear to both the public and private sectors, collaboration can make this a reality.. To learn more about our Design to Value approach to design and construction, sign up for our monthly newsletter here:.

http://bit.ly/BWNewsUpdatesWe like things in neat boxes, we like the tangible; things we can sense, see and touch.In times where there is a lack of clarity it can feel chaotic and unnerving.