Each project is unique, but an ethos and approach prevail: you focus on what you want the project to do, how it should best function and who it should serve –rather than a specific material outcome..
Techniques such as transferring extract air from adjacent office spaces to partially make-up the new lab supply can sometimes be used, however their compliance must be carefully reviewed..Even with an optimised design it is likely that new, larger HVAC plant and additional ductwork will be required.
For some office buildings this can be difficult to incorporate, with limited roof, external, riser, and ceiling void space available.Ideally, new riser space can be formed in such a way that it doesn’t significantly reduce net usable lab space or cause issues with adjacent tenancies (where relevant).Where this isn’t possible, external ductwork can be considered, however there are other issues such as building appearance and Planning Permission that can make this unfeasible.. Exhausts for fume cabinets, ducted MBSCs, storage cabinets, and LEV (local extract ventilation) will also need to find their way to roof level.
With limited riser space this means upper-floor office conversions are preferable, though these tend to be less advantageous from an access or structural point of view..It is essential roof exhausts have efflux arrangements that ensure discharged fumes get sufficiently away from the building to prevent recirculation into make-up systems or to anyone on the roof or in a nearby building.
In the UK, the British Standard has a blanket statement requiring fume stacks be either 3m high or 25% the building height – whichever is greater.
For tall buildings this can lead to very high stacks that would impact the building’s appearance and will likely require Planning Permission.key takeaway article on the benefits of Reference Design below..
Defining Reference Design.What is a Reference Design and why use one?.
Many major clients have national or global rollouts that are happening at a rapid pace.. Often these clients have to procure a bespoke design for every site, introducing unnecessary design cycles and complexity that adds cost and time to construction projects and ongoing operations..Yet, from our experience, these clients have a very well-informed view on how their asset needs to perform and the layouts and designs that deliver their operational outcomes.
(Editor: Compact Cameras)