Laboratory planning is the primary step of laboratory construction, which mainly covers the objectives and tasks of laboratory planning and construction, construction nature (new construction, reconstruction, expansion), legal basis, scale, process conditions and environmental adaptability.
This article focuses on the importance of laboratory furniture layout and laboratory bench placement.
Ensure orderly layout, unobstructed evacuation and escape routes; laboratory doors generally open inward. For rooms with explosion hazards, doors shall open outward. The window panel of the door is recommended to adopt high-strength tempered glass.
Ergonomic design (operating space in all directions). A reasonable match between facilities and operators' working space reflects scientific and humanized planning.
Safety is the top priority in laboratory design. Laboratories are high-risk places prone to explosion, fire and gas leakage. Laboratory design shall prioritize good ventilation and smooth escape passages. In accordance with international ergonomic standards, the design shall not only be aesthetic and comfortable, but also meet the requirements of fire resistance, moisture resistance and corrosion resistance. It shall be equipped with ventilation, purification, disinfection and sterilization functions to achieve environmental protection, safety, reliability and durability. Following the principles of safety, efficiency, comfort and people-oriented design, a standardized laboratory can be built to achieve optimal use efficiency.
Layout Types of Laboratory Benches
A laboratory bench mainly consists of a tabletop, under-table supports and cabinets or floor-standing cabinets. A reagent shelf can be installed on the tabletop for convenient operation, and water sinks can be equipped at both ends of central laboratory benches.
Common tabletop materials include solid physical and chemical board, epoxy resin board, stainless steel, marble and ceramic board. An ideal tabletop shall be flat, crack-resistant, acid and alkali corrosion-resistant, solvent-resistant, heat-resistant, and less likely to break glassware.
Dimension Standards of Laboratory Benches
Length allocation: 1.2 meters per person for general laboratories; 1.5 meters per person for organic laboratories.
Tabletop height: standard height 850mm; international mainstream height 900–920mm; ergonomic low height 800mm.
Side bench tabletop width: 750mm (not recommended to exceed 750mm).
Central bench tabletop width: 1500mm (not recommended to exceed 1500mm for maximum board utilization).
Reagent shelf depth: suitable for placing two 500ml medium-sized reagent bottles side by side, generally 200–300mm with upper and lower layers; 200mm for wall-mounted side bench reagent shelves; 300mm for central bench reagent shelves.
Spacing Standards of Laboratory Operation Benches
Spacing over 750mm: single-side standing operation available.
Spacing over 1000mm: single-side seated operation available.
Spacing over 1200mm: one side for seated operation, the other for standing operation, no passage in the middle.
Spacing over 1500mm: seated operation on both sides with pedestrian passage in the middle.
Spacing over 1800mm: seated operation on both sides, with passage for personnel and equipment in the middle.
Balance tables and instrument tables shall not be placed too close to the wall, with a reserved wall distance of 400mm. All aisles between laboratory benches shall lead directly to corridors for rapid evacuation in case of hazards.
Laboratory Building Spatial Standards
Floor height: 3.7m–4.0m; clear height: 2.7m–2.8m.
For laboratories with special requirements such as cleanliness, pressure gradient and constant temperature and humidity, the clear height is 2.5m–2.7m (excluding ceiling).
Net width of laboratory corridor: 2.5m–3.0m.
General laboratory double door width: 1.1m–1.5m (asymmetrical double door); single door width: 0.8m–0.9m.
