Laboratory facility and

design

Dr. : Dina Ramadan

Microbiologist
Quality Manager ,Central Health Laboratory
 All diagnostic
and health care
laboratories
must be designed
and organized for
Biosafety level 2
or above

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 2

 Common room,
stairs to offices

Gynaecological
samples

Blood clotting
Wash
room Blood
samples
Hematology

Biochemistry

Disinfection

Bacteriology

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 3

 Registration desk

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 Safety during
service
no unauthorized persons
no friends
no children
no animals

Please
CLOSE
the DOOR

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 5

 Sample collection room

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 6

 Common room,
stairs to offices

Gynaecological
samples
collection
Blood
clotting
Blood
samples
Hematology
collection

Wash
Biochemistry room

Patient

Reception

Disinfection

Bacteriology

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 7

 Common room,
stairs to offices
Gynaecological
samples
collection
Blood clotting

Blood
samples
Hematology
collection

Wash
Biochemistry
room

Sample
Reception

Disinfection
Bacteriology

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 8

 Segregated areas

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 9

 Stock room

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 10

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 11
11
 Doors and large equipment

Main
Door

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 12

 Common room,
stairs to offices

Gynaecological
samples
Blood collection
clotting
Blood
Hematology samples
collection

Wash
Biochemistry room

Waste

Reception
Disinfection
Bacteriology

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 13

Difference Between “Open” and “Closed” Labs
Lab users in open labs share the laboratory building, laboratory
equipment, bench space, and support staff. The open lab
concept encourages collaboration among scientists and makes
the lab more responsive to changing needs.
The laboratory shall be completely separated from outside
areas and have means of securing with limited access The
laboratory shall be completely separated from outside areas (i.e.,
must be bound by four walls).
 Generic Labs
When a laboratory is created generically, all
of the labs are the same size and have the
same fundamental engineering services
and work area .
When it is unknown who will use the
space or what type of lab will be conducted
there, generic labs are a good alternative.

16
Flexible Engineering Systems
Most labs require flexible engineering
services such as supply and exhaust air,
water, electricity, internet , and ventilation
systems. To enable for quick and
economical equipment hookups, labs
must have easy connects/disconnects on
the walls and ceiling and might also need
to be designed to allow for the removal
or addition of fume hoods.
Equipment Zones
In most labs, it is advised that equipment
zones take up about a quarter of the
space to provide staff the freedom to move
from work area and equipment around and
add equipment as needed. Lab furniture
should be correctly sized and fit for
purpose

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 Use the Full Volume of the Lab Space
Today’s labs are heavily depending on
equipment and demand as much bench
space as feasible. Therefore, overhead
cabinets provide storage above the bench,
maximizing the available area. Instead of
cabinets, adjustable shelving can be used
to provide flexibility.
Additional Tips for Your Laboratory Design

Space
Every employee’s comfort and freedom of movement are dependent
on their ability to move freely inside their work areas, which includes
sitting and standing, also need to be able to handle many pieces
of equipment and documentation at the same time.

Safety
When planning your lab, it’s vital to include safety elements,
ventilation systems should be customized to lab activities also
presence of Biosafety cabinets, fire suppression systems,
emergency showers/eyewash stations, and well-designated
emergency exits should all be easily accessible.
 Additional Tips for Your Laboratory Design
If done incorrectly, even the smallest detail can have a
negative impact on lab function and safety/biosafety,
thus it’s critical to get
Storage
One of the most crucial factors for all laboratory facilities to
maintain optimum productivity, concentration, precision, and
safety is having appropriate spaces to keep tools, supplies,
and personal things without generating crawdad work area
,presence of suitable and adequate storage is crucial in any
laboratory
Splash proof flooring and walls
– walls and ceiling : high ceiling with good ventilation ,use
washable, glossy paint ,easy to clean and disinfect use
washable, glossy paint

Windows If the laboratory has windows that open, they must be

fitted with insect screens.

Floor The floor must be non-pervious, one piece, and with covings
to the wall. easy to clean and disinfect
This can be achieved by use of glue, heat welded vinyl flooring, epoxy
coated concrete slab, etc.
 Scheduled Cleaning
 daily
 bench tops
 floors
 weekly
 ceiling and walls
 other
 refrigerators
 freezers
 storage areas
 record date and cleaning staff

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 23

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Bench tops non-porous covering, easy to clean, resistant to
chemicals and disinfectant , no wood, no steel

Consider lighting: is one of the most important features of any

room, Good lighting throughout the lab will reduce the risk of
dangerous situations being escalated and make working in the lab
more comfortable
 Safety Management

 Responsible: Safety Officer

 Safety Manual: laboratory-specific
 Standard Operating Procedures
 Trained personnel
 potential risks
 safety procedures
 Waste Management

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 25

 General Safety Equipment

shower
eye washer fire safety PPE

waste disposal
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 Standard Safety Practices
DO NOT-

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 Standard Safety Practices
DO-

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Safety Signs

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 Laboratory Hazards

 physical

 chemical

 biological

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 needles,
syringes

Bites, broken
scratches glass,
Accidents,
animal or
ectoparasites sharps
injuries

Aspiration
Spills,
through
sprays pipettes

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 31

 Physical Hazards

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 Needles, Broken Glass, and Sharps
 do not recap needles
 always use puncture-resistant, leakproof,
sharps containers
 always use specific waste disposal containers
 never directly handle broken glass

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 33

 Do you see anything wrong?

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Do NOT reuse disposable injection equipment

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 Chemical Hazards
Biosafety Level 1 and 2 laboratories
Separate cabinets for storage:
 spill containment cabinet
 hazardous waste storage
 flammable liquids storage

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 36

 Material Safety Data Sheet

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 Biological Hazards
Aerosols and droplets are the main
sources of contamination

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 MODIFIED SLIDE 41->42 38

 Personal Protective Equipment
BSL 1 and 2
 laboratory coat
 gloves
 goggles or face shield
 masks
 hearing protection

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 39

Chemical Spills
 anything beyond a minor
spill and requiring help from
outside of the laboratory group
constitutes a major spill
Minor spill

Major spill
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 Biological Spills

Spill Exercises

Spill
Exercises

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 41

 Summary

When designing a laboratory or

organizing workflow, ensure that
patients and patient samples do not
have common pathways

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 42

 Summary
Safety is dependent on:
 a responsible supervisor
 a safety manual and SOPs
 trained personnel
 assessment of risks
 laboratory design

Facilities and Safety - Module 2 43