We do not have the luxury of a million years to size our factories.

Keeping a detailed action and decision log is very important, therefore.The laboratory equipment can have a major impact on not just the design philosophy behind the lab design layout and services, but also the environment, health and safety (EHS)..

Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Requirements.Some processes within labs are hazardous or toxic to health, and these are usually communicated to the laboratory design team by the client early in the design phases.It’s important to ask for all processes being undertaken as to the EHS requirements, as often it affects the laboratory design layout or services design.. For example, consider processes which require either containment or clean room status.

In both instances, this means that process, along with perhaps all the other processes within its functional group, will need to be separated physically from the other functional groups and an air pressure differential adhered to.This directly drives the lab layout, plus the services requirements and the finishes specifications..

Hazard studies, conducted with both the users and the laboratory designers present, should identify the major EHS issues with the aim to design out all the risks.

Some processes may use hazardous material or be explosive, so a Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) assessment must be undertaken by the client with the lab designer involved, as it will affect the plant selection and design.. We must be aware of design elements which are assumed to be inherently safe.Professor Whyte advocates for a standardised approach to components and systems, which can lead to improvements in quality, speed, and sustainability of construction projects.. 4.

Collaboration Across the Industry:.A recurring theme is the necessity for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, including government, industry, and academia, to foster innovation and systemic change.

Whyte highlights initiatives like Project 13 and the Transforming Construction agenda as models for how the industry can move towards more integrated and outcome-focused project delivery methods.. 5.Sustainability and Responsibility:.