Lab space and some startup funds might look like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, but it’s just the start. Sure, it took a lot to get there—a new position and a lab to arrange—but that empty space and a fixed budget indicate more to do. A new lab needs a collection of equipment, such as a centrifuge and a safety hood, plus a freezer and an incubator, and more. The list of things to buy, arrange, and get working can seem daunting. So, consider the following expert tips to make the process easier and more efficient—all aimed at creating the most effective lab space.
The outcome in setting up a new lab depends on a good start. “Identify what kind of work is going to be done in the lab,” says Scott Christensen, vice president of business development at NuAire. “Then, identify the kind of infrastructure that will be needed to support that work.”
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Learn the value of an organized approach, tips on designing for flexibility, the value of consulting with land managers and other experts, and more. In a life science laboratory, for example, a scientist might need a class II biological safety cabinet (BSC), an incubator, an ultralow-temperature freezer, and so on. Anyone working with chemicals or solvents will also need a fume hood. Some of these devices—especially a hood and a BSC—provide personnel and sample protection. Deciding on the level of protection that will be required will depend on the work. As Christensen emphasizes, “First, figure out what direction of research you will take.”
Taking inventory
Setting up a new lab is quite a task, which is why it’s important to have an organized approach. “Take a look at the space where you’re setting up shop, and see what is already there that you can use,” Christensen suggests. “If there’s some existing equipment that you can make use of, then you can use your funding—from your institution or grants—to purchase equipment that you really need.”
To decide what can be used and what can’t, Christensen suggests consulting a lab manager. “They can be a good source of various kinds of information,” he says. He adds that it helps to “deal with someone familiar with capital equipment—not someone just looking in catalogs—who can give you the right advice on selecting equipment” and that “it’s different than ordering media and other consumables, like plasticware.” If there’s not someone in the department or institution to help, scientists can call a supplier.
Ultimately, as Christensen points out, a scientist setting up a new lab has two choices: “Educate yourself or consult someone.”
Mistakes to avoid
Some of the most common mistakes in setting up a new lab come from not gathering enough information. With a large piece of equipment, the key question is this: Will it fit? Not just that, but will it fit in the intended spot? That might depend on a lab’s ceiling height, bench space, and so on.
Once it’s clear that a piece of equipment will fit in a desired location, a scientist needs to make sure that it’s possible to get the piece to that spot. “You need the logistics of getting from the loading dock to the lab,” Christensen says. “Is there an elevator?” If there’s not and the equipment is big, it might stay on the loading dock.
“That’s why you should consult with someone who has done it before and have them help size up your needs,” Christensen explains. If all else fails in the size-up stage, get a tape measure and measure twice or more.
Christensen sees other challenges in size that scientists run into in setting up a new lab. One is the size of a BSC. “We sell lots of four-foot cabinets, and sometimes people buy six-foot ones for two people,” he says. “How many people will be working in the lab?”
For scientists who can’t decide what size BSC to buy, think about asking NuAire. “We can determine if a lab could get away with four- or five-foot cabinets, instead of sixes,” Christensen says.
Assessing safety
In selecting the kind of BSC, besides its length, NuAire won’t tell a customer which one to use. “You need to take a risk assessment and get advice from a safety person,” Christensen says. “They’ll tell you if, for instance, an A2 is okay for your application or if you need a B2.”
Here, too, the features of a building impact the options. “Some people think that they need an exhausted cabinet,” Christensen explains, “but the lab might not have an exhaust connection.” In that case, either a connection must be added, which could be expensive, or a ventless option must be selected.
For safe solutions in setting up a new lab, Christensen points out that lots of information is available online. In particular, he mentions the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL). As the CDC notes, this document “quickly became the cornerstone of biosafety practice and policy in the United States upon first publication in 1984.” The organization adds that the “5th edition of the BMBL remains an advisory document recommending best practices for the safe conduct of work in biomedical and clinical laboratories from a biosafety perspective.”
So, scientists should seek information where they can in setting up a new lab. “You can educate yourself online,” Christensen concludes. “It’s a great resource.”
To learn how to make the setting up of a new lab easier and more efficient so you can focus on your research, download our free eBook “Expert Guide to Setting Up a New Lab” now.