NIH Design Requirements Manual
Section 2.2
Section 2.2
Research Laboratory Design
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2.2.0 General
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This section outlines requirements for the design phase of laboratory construction projects. The
basis for laboratory design must be obtained from concepts, parameters and data outlined in
Section 2.1, Research Laboratory Predesign. Refer to Room Data Sheets and discipline
specific chapters of the DRM for additional information.
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2.2.1
Conceptual Design Considerations
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The design of laboratory projects must integrate organizational, operational and infrastructure
challenges with creativity to create workplaces that are equally functional and inspirational for a
scientific community tasked with innovation and discovery.
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Organizational issues include:
 Functional zoning of primary components: administrative areas, lab & lab support.
Areas, personnel support areas, animal research areas, logistical support areas
 Interrelationship of functional components within each zone
 Blocking and stacking of program elements
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Operational issues include:
 Circulation of visitors, staff, materials, and waste among zones
 Workflow
 Logistical support
 Security
 Occupational safety
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Infrastructure issues include:
 Capacities, location and size of primary utility systems
 Utility distribution methodology
 Maintenance access methodology
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Creative solutions can incorporate each of these functional imperatives without sacrificing
aesthetics and imaginative design.
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2.2.2
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The laboratory module is the fundamental organizational basis of a laboratory building. It is a
generic building block used to configure many types and sizes of labs, establish circulation and
bench arrangements within labs, assign space, ensure efficient space use, maintain flexibility,
guide utility distribution, and maintain overall design integrity. All lab areas shall be organized on
Modular Design
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a modular basis free of stairwells, chases, shafts, shear walls, elevators and other obstructions
to the greatest extent possible.
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2.2.2.1 Module Dimensions
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Module dimensions are based on the configuration of a typical double-loaded laboratory bay
with benches or equipment skirting each side of a central aisle NIH has established 3 350 mm
(11’-0”) as a standard module offering versatility, efficiency and flexibility in most biomedical
laboratory settings. Optimum module width is dictated by an aisle of 1 525 mm (5’-0”), plus 762
- 914 mm (30” - 36”) of bench or equipment on each side of the aisle. Aisle widths exceeding 6’
are discouraged because they tend to accumulate stored equipment, materials, carts, and
impromptu work counters that inhibit safe working clearances and egress pathways. Since
module dimensions are measured from center lines, the thickness of demising partitions must
also be taken into consideration. The width of an individual laboratory module may range from
3 048 mm (10’-0”) to 3 667 mm (12’-0”) depending on the casework and equipment in the
space; however, module widths of less than 10’-8” can be problematic in single-module labs due
to ABA clearance requirements at doorways.
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For new laboratory construction projects, an 11”-0” laboratory module is recommended, and 10’8” is the minimum required. More discretion is acceptable for renovation projects where existing
structure, utility shafts, and immovable walls must be taken into consideration.
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Spatial versatility and flexibility is further enhanced by applying the modular to a two
dimensional grid dimensions (width and depth), thereby allowing laboratories to be configured
transversely across multiple modules without loss of efficiency or aisle clearances. Typical NIH
module depths should be configured in 11’ increments, with 33’ providing optimal layout
flexibility.
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The graphic below illustrates this concept:
X=3 350mm
X
X
X
Y = 10 050mm
1/3
Module
11.22 M 2
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1/3X=3 350mm
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Single
Module
33.67 M 2
Double
Module
67.34 M 2
2/3
Module
22.44 M 2
Laboratory Module Configuration – add feet/ inches
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The basic module can be applied to most functional areas within the laboratory zone.
Laboratory support, research offices, circulation, and building support spaces should all be
organized to work with the module to the greatest extent possible.
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Some laboratory types may require special consideration due to exceptionally large equipment
such as low temperature freezers and optical tables, or wide equipment working clearances
such as biosafety cabinets. Similarly, custom bench arrangements for electronics labs and
other special use research spaces may not conform to the standard module. These areas may
need to be configured “off-module“ on a case-by-case basis. Nevertheless, with the exception
of purpose-built facilities, every effort should be made to retain the basic modular structure that
suites most of the programmed laboratory types.
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2.2.2.2 Modular Utility Distribution
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Laboratory services shall also be distributed on a modular basis, with connection points
provided to each individual laboratory module. The connection point of each service shall be
located in a uniform position relative to the module, and detailed to allow for extension into the
laboratory without disruption of adjacent modules. Modular utility connection points shall be
located in corridors or utility area to the greatest extent possible so that maintenance and
modifications may be performed without entry into occupied labs. Utility distribution systems
shall be configured to allow individual modules and labs to be serviced or disconnected without
increasing the capacity or location of central infrastructure systems.
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2.2.3
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2.2.3.1 Primary Laboratories
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Primary laboratories are the heart of a research facility, providing dedicated space for
investigator benches and equipment supporting the bench work. A minimum of 6 - 7 linear feet
of assigned high bench is required per investigator. Space is also required for shared
equipment requiring close proximity to investigator bench space including small bench-mounted
apparatus, lab sinks, fume hoods, refrigerators, freezers, etc. Primary laboratories may also
include investigator desk space for write-up. The access path to primary laboratories must
include a place for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lab coats, eye protection, and
other items that may be required per risk assessment, as well as a sink for hand wash when
leaving the lab.
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Open configurations with few partitions between researchers should be considered for most
primary laboratories. Open laboratories provide an environment that is conducive to
communications and encourages interaction among researchers. Investigators are assigned
benches rather than rooms, improving flexibility for space assignment and program changes.
Primary labs are the principal workplace for many investigators, and should be provided with
natural lighting and views. Depending on the building’s design, open laboratories can also help
distribute natural lighting and views to most or all of the laboratory staff by placing primary
research spaces along the exterior of the building. The following minimum elements shall be
included in each primary laboratory:
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
Laboratory Areas
One laboratory sink per 2-3 lab modules with adjoining bench for staging, eyewash,
pegboard and graduated cylinder drying rack. At least one sink within each primary lab
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shall be large (30” wide and 16” deep), and equipped with an overhead shelf, power
supply and pure water connection for water polishing equipment.
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A location near the entry for lab coats and other PPE as designated by program
requirements.
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Primary labs that exceed two modules in size require at least one flammable storage
cabinet.
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All labs that house fume hoods require flammable storage cabinets and emergency
showers.
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Designated space for location of waste containers, including an area for medical
pathological waste (MPW) and hazardous chemical waste. <LINK TO Section 4.5>
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Designated laboratory bench and hood meeting ABA requirements <LINK TO ABA
SECTION>
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2.2.3.2 Support Laboratories
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Support laboratories house equipment and procedures that do not require immediate adjacency
to investigator benches. This may include equipment rooms housing low temperature freezers,
centrifuges, shakers, autoclaves and other items that are shared by multiple investigators, areas
such as tissue culture labs that require environmental containment as well as specialized
equipment, and a variety of other specialized functions requiring isolation, containment, or
separation. Some support labs are dedicated to specific investigators or groups, while others
may be shared across lab groups. Core support labs may support multiple groups, but have
dedicated operational staff.
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With the exception of core laboratories serving a wide array of lab groups, support labs should
be located as closely as possible to the groups that they serve. Investigators should be able to
access most support labs without leaving the laboratory zone. The ability to pass directly from
the primary lab to support labs can be essential in some cases for reasons of safety, security or
process workflow. The type and number of required support laboratories is program driven;
however, the following support lab functions and equipment are typically required for NIH
laboratory projects:
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Autoclave for decontamination of infectious waste (minimum one per floor), with canopy
hood and floor drain
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Icemaker with floor drain
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Dry ice storage chest
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Equipment room for locating noise producing or heat generating equipment that would
be disruptive in the primary lab environment
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2.2.4 Personnel Support Areas
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2.2.4.1 Offices
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Office areas typically consist of space for laboratory personnel, administrative areas for non-lab
staff, and conference rooms. In some cases, office space may also be required for analytical
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and computational areas, server rooms, and other dry-lab functions. Office space is an integral
part of the laboratory operation, and should be located near the laboratory zone. There are
many organizational models that foster this relationship including separate office zone adjacent
to the lab zone, distributed office pods within each laboratory neighborhood, and linear office
zones that parallel lab zones. Laboratory chiefs, section chiefs, principal investigators, and
senior scientists should be provided with dedicated offices wherever possible. Post doctoral
fellows may be assigned semi-private offices or cubicle workstations. Administrative staff are
typically assigned cubicles within open offices, and must be located to allow access without
traveling through a laboratory. Consideration should be given to clustering offices to facilitate
sharing of support staff. Space must be included for records/files, copiers, and mail areas.
Office and file rooms should be lockable. Space for paper recycling containers and/or
shredders should be provided. Offices benefit from separation from the lab environment for the
following reasons:
 Occupational safety, by virtue of separation from the more hazardous lab zone
 Energy efficiency, as one-pass air is not required in office areas
 Occupant convenience, because food and drink may not be consumed within the lab
zone, and unescorted visitors may not be allowed within laboratories
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Post doctoral fellow and technician write-up desk areas may need to reside within the primary
labs to facilitate their work, and are often located adjacent to their dedicated high-bench space.
A minimum of 4’ of desk space is required per investigator for write-up. There are
organizational models that address this dichotomy to varying degrees by separating write up
desks from lab benches with ghost corridors or glass partitions. At the very least, splash guards
are required between desk and bench surfaces.
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2.2.4.2 Lobbies
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A lobby shall be provided at the main facility entrance. The lobby shall be furnished with space
with seating, bulletin boards, and a telephone to contact building occupants. Signage and
building a directory shall be provided to facilitate way finding. A vestibule shall be provided at
the entry to enhance energy conservation and features to minimize dirt and moisture from being
track into the facility. A receptionist / security workstation shall be provided if programmed.
Provide close access to public restrooms from the lobby.
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Seating areas should also be considered adjoining elevator lobbies, laboratory branch offices,
and other locations for visitor waiting, informal staff interaction.
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2.2.4.3 Locker and Shower Areas
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Lockers should be provided for staff to store personal belongings and coats outside of the
laboratory. Lockers may be located in corridors, break rooms, dedicated locker areas or within
the entry zone of primary laboratories.
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Showers with changing areas should be provided for larger building projects, and when required
by program. Shower and changing areas are typically adjacent to or co-located with restrooms.
Include lockers and changing benches, clothes hooks and an electrical outlet adjacent to mirror
and shelf. Shower and changing areas shall be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Refer
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to local plumbing code to determine the number of fixtures required based on building
population.
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2.2.4.4 Conference Rooms
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Small conference rooms for 8-10 people shall be provided for section level staff meetings.
Larger conference rooms for up to 25 people shall be provided for broader laboratory branch
meetings. All conference facilities shall be shared. Each space should be equipped with white
boards, floor and ceiling outlets to accommodate audiovisual and projection equipment (laptop,
slides and overhead projectors), light dimming and blackout control, as well as
telecommunications/LAN capabilities. Conference rooms should be equipped to accommodate
flexible seating arrangements, secure storage closets or cabinets, space for waste and recycling
containers, and accessibility to permit ease of cleaning and access. The need and size of
conference rooms over 49 persons shall be coordinated with NIH Events Management
requirements. <LINK TO OFFICE CRITERIA>
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2.2.4.5 Storage Areas
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Dedicated storage rooms should be provided for storage of supplies outside of laboratories so
that material does not accumulate in corridors and overfill laboratory aisles and shelving. (see
section 4.11 for hazardous material storage requirements <LINK>).
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2.2.4.6 Break Rooms
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Break rooms are required on each floor to permit the safe consumption of food and beverages
outside the laboratory. They should also foster informal interaction through the use of white
board, tack board, tables and seating. Break rooms shall be equipped with a refrigerator, a
kitchenette with sink, microwave, garbage disposal and lockable cabinetry. Space should be
designated for waste and recycling containers. These containers shall be adequately sized to
support the occupancy of the space and be constructed of durable cleanable materials. Break
areas shall be accessible without passing through laboratories to facilitate cleaning and access
to administrative personnel. Break rooms shall be provided with exhaust ventilation to prevent
migration of cooking odors to other areas. Sufficient electrical receptacles shall be provided for
small appliances and food preparation.
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2.2.5
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Minimum corridor width shall be 1 500 mm (60 inches) clear. Wider corridors may be required
in larger facilities for general circulation, and to accommodate transport of large laboratory
equipment. The movement of such items through proposed corridors shall be verified. Corridor
alcove space shall be identified for general waste recycling containers. Corridors in excess of
6’-0” wide are discouraged, as they tend to accumulate equipment and furnishings that may be
unsupportable by corridor utility systems.
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If corridors are intentionally designed to support equipment, that must be appropriately designed
and cannot be used for primary egress. Hazardous and flammable materials shall not be
placed in corridors.
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<LINK TO CORRIDOR UTILIZATION POLICY>
Circulation Areas
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Building corridors shall be furnished with signage to facilitate way finding. <LINK to NIH
Signage Guide>
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2.2.5.1 Security
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The corridor system must facilitate the security strategy, which generally requires progressive
layers of access control for higher hazard areas. Public areas must be easily secured from
other areas of the building. The laboratory zone shall be securable from administrative areas.
Higher hazard areas within the laboratory zone shall also be securable.
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2.2.5.2 Logistics
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Movement of materials and laboratory research animals from loading dock facilities to multiple
points of use must be evaluated in development of the overall building circulation system.
Pathways shall be identified for delivery of materials, removal of waste and movement of large
equipment. In projects that require freight elevators, a separate pathway may be considered
from the loading dock to the laboratory zone.
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Secure service corridors may be provided adjoining laboratory spaces which distribute utility
services into the laboratories via the ceiling or directly to the lab bench through the wall of the
service corridor. Service corridors shall be a minimum of 1 500 mm (60 inches) in clear width,
plus any utility and storage areas. Service corridor may be used for deliveries, pickup, gas
cylinder storage and general common use space.
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2.2.5.3 Ghost Corridors
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Ghost corridors are internal aisles within open laboratories that interconnect laboratory modules
and improve circulation within the laboratory neighborhood. Ghost corridors can provide
secondary emergency exit for laboratories; however, they are not the primary fire or emergency
exits. Ghost corridors can also provide a degree of internal separation between different lab
functions such as high-bench investigator areas and adjacent investigator write-up desks. The
clear width of ghost corridors shall be a minimum of 44”.
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2.2.6
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Building operational areas consist of non-programmatic space that is not necessarily associated
with the scientific activities of the laboratory, but required for a functional and well
designed laboratory. Building operational areas include circulation, toilets, shipping and
receiving areas, mechanical and electrical rooms, telecommunications, hazardous waste
holding room, and utility distribution areas that strongly influence the design of the
laboratory.2.2.6.1
Housekeeping Closets
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All buildings must be equipped with appropriately sized housekeeping closets located
throughout the facility. A housekeeping closet must be negatively pressurized to reduce
humidity and control odors. Closets should be fitted with wire bar shelving, mop and broom
hangers, a floor sink, GFI receptacle and adequate lighting. Closets should be sized to hold
cleaning supplies and equipment only. Space within housekeeping closets for storage of
unrelated items is not allowed. The interior of the closet must be finished with materials and
Building Operations Areas
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surfaces that are cleanable, moisture resistant and durable. Backflow prevention is mandatory
on hose bibs.
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2.2.6.2 Material Handling Areas
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Dedicated areas for staging and disposal of laboratory materials and hazardous waste shall be
provided adjacent to service elevators when required by OSHA standards or other applicable
regulations. When required, these areas shall be located within each building zone with
separate areas for chemical and hazardous waste storage.
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2.2.6.3 Shipping and Receiving Areas
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The loading dock shall have adequate space for proper marshalling, inspection, and cleaning of
materials received and shipped from the building. When programmed, a small office shall be
provided for personnel responsible for tracking the distribution of material. In multistory
facilities, consideration should be given to locating material handling zones at each floor.
Separate and dedicated space shall be provided for animal receiving and carcass disposal if the
building has animal facilities. Refer to Section 4.4, Loading Docks and section 4.10, Vertical
Transportation for additional information. <LINKS to Section 4.4 and 4.10>
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2.2.6.4
Hazardous Material Waste Rooms <NOTE:
WITH SECTION 4.11 and 4.5>
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Chemical waste rooms, biological waste rooms and radiological waste rooms shall be provided
with card access control opening only. Sizes for these areas shall be based on calculated
throughput, but no less than the minimum sizes established by NIH. See Section 1-9
Environmental Management/Radiation Safety. The Project Officer shall check with DEP for
Certificates of Compliance.
NEEDS TO BE COORDINATED
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Provide recycling room, preferably outside the loading dock.
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Provide MPW cold box (minimum 2440mm x 3050mm [8’-0”x10-0”]).
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Provide cardboard recycling containers bolted to the loading dock and cardboard
compactor.
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Provide tank farms with restraint brackets, if required at each loading dock with
appropriate set backs from the building.
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Provide a wall mounted ABC type fire extinguisher.
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Provide a safety shower and eye wash station with no floor drain.
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Provide one duplex electrical outlet on each wall of the room.
appurtenances in the room shall comply with local requirements.
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Provide standard lighting.
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Provide a wall mounted telephone either in the room or immediately outside for
emergency communications.
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Provide ramp to access loading dock.
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Provide unisex toilet.
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Provide area for storage of wooden pallets.
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Provide quick opening rolling steel doors at loading dock. All rolling doors shall be
provided with the housing on the inside of the loading dock. Nylon bristle sweeps
required at sill and jambs. If air curtain is installed, it shall be flush mounted and
extend 50mm on each side of opening.
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Provide epoxy coating finish for the entire area.
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Biomedical Laboratory Loading Docks: Provide space in the area of the loading dock for the
collection and storage of medical pathological waste (MPW), chemical waste, and radiological
waste. A cold box capable of holding a minimum of 30 MPW boxes overnight shall be supplied
in close proximity to the loading dock. See Section 1-9 Environmental Management/Radiation
Safety.
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MPW Waste Collection Stations: Space must also be provided for MPW collection stations on
each floor of laboratory buildings, and as directed by DEP.2.2.7 Utility Distribution
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Systems delivering power, data, ventilation, plumbing, and specialty gasses are the life blood of
a laboratory. Distribution and maintenance access strategies for these systems have a
profound design impact and must be demonstrated at the conceptual planning process. Utility
systems shall be organized in vertical and horizontal zones and delivered to the laboratories on
a modular basis that allows for flexibility, service accessibility, future expansion, and uniform
availability of services.
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Conceptual and schematic design submissions shall include diagrams illustrating the
coordination of architectural, structural, and engineering elements in both plan and section to
demonstrate the utility distribution methodology and verify that adequate space is provided to
house and service utility systems without impinging on minimum program clearances.
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2.2.8
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The conceptual design process shall explore a range of design alternatives so that the most
advantageous solution can be selected for continued development. Conceptual design
alternatives shall include the following elements for use in comparative analysis:
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2.2.9
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Conceptual Design
Floor plans showing functional zones and program areas
Circulation diagrams for personnel, materials, waste, and research animals (if
applicable)
Modular design approach
Utility distribution approach (plan and section)
Listing of net and gross areas
Estimated construction and project costs
Project schedule
Sustainability approach
<LINK TO Architect-Engineer (A/E) checklist of Services>
Room Data Sheets
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Design requirements and criteria for typical space types found in NIH laboratory facilities is
included in the Room Data Sheets.
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<LINK>
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