Guidelines for Laboratory Design: Health and Safety Considerations

Learn practical and cost-effective solutions to renovation and reconstruction issues including: 

• Green design and construction 
• Decontamination of an existing facility 
• Special health and safety precautions in partially occupied buildings undergoing renovation 
• Adding energy conservation features 
• Case studies of successful reconstructions and details of decisions not to reconstruct will also be presented 
• Laboratory ventilation including fume hoods and other exhaust requirements 
• Safety design features include fire protection, electrical systems, emergency equipment and controls, and chemical storage 

Architects will be able to: 

• Valuate laboratory design options related to health, safety, and environmental considerations using risk assessment and cost-effectiveness parameters 
• Apply appropriate design information for laboratory types used in industry, academia, and hospitals 
• Demonstrate familiarity with mechanical systems vital to state-of-the-art laboratory functions 
• Understand the primary principles of safety, health, and environmental responsibilities and the impact of these considerations on the planning and sustainable design of laboratory facilities 
• Learn details of laboratory systems and planning strategies to reduce risks to occupants of laboratory facilities 
• Learn to plan laboratories so that chemical fume hoods and other potentially hazardous processes and equipment perform safely 
• Decommission, decontaminate, renovate, and reconstruct old laboratories 

Design and facility engineers will be able to: 

• Apply laboratory design information regarding heat loads from research equipment, ventilation requirements, optimum air flows, and contamination control through air pressure regulation 
• Identify recent developments in the design of HVAC systems for laboratories, including variable air volume (VAV) systems, high-performance hoods, air exchange rates, ductless hoods, recirculation of air, and the application of energy conservation measures 
• Become familiar with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to improve the performance of chemical fume hoods 
• Incorporate into practice important information about the design of hazardous waste-handling facilities, safety shower and eyewash stations, and research support facilities 

Occupational health and safety professionals will be able to: 

• Complete structures that are safe and free of health hazards by consulting ( instead of consulting maybe use “ partner” or collaborate” ) with architects, contractors, owners, and users during program scope definition, design, and construction. 
• Identify design features that provide solutions for the unique health and safety hazards associated with laboratories used for different functions 
• Become familiar with CFD and how it is used in laboratory design 
• Provide detailed specifications regarding laboratory support facilities for hazardous waste storage, packaging, and shipping 
• Identify the unique needs of specific types of laboratories such as biosafety, chemistry, microelectronics, animal facilities, and engineering 
• Understand the perspectives and constraints of architects and engineers, and the need to communicate with them from the earliest stages of the project through the completion 

This program is designed for any professional involved in designing, constructing, renovating, or managing laboratories, including:  

• Architects and designers  

• Construction managers  

• Environment, health, and safety professionals  

• Facilities managers  

• Laboratory managers  

• Laboratory planners  

• Project managers  

• Scientists, researchers, and other laboratory users  

Louis J. DiBerardinis (Program Director)

Instructor

Michael R. Labosky (Program Director)

Director of Safety and Environmental Programs, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Current faculty, subject to change

Take this program to earn a Certificate of Completion, or complete multiple to earn the Environmental Health Certificate of Specialization.