Articles
Interior Immersive Training Lab at the College of DuPage's Homeland Security Education Center
April 5, 2013 1:06 pm | by Douglas Ogurek, LEED AP | CommentsPolice lights flashed, sirens blared, and shots rang out at the College of DuPage while guests and the media looked on. The simulated emergency scenario was part of the Glen Ellyn, Illinois-based college’s reenactment of the infamous North Hollywood Bank Robbery.
The 10-Second Race: Better Eyewash Stations Reduce Injury
February 14, 2013 4:21 pm | by Imants Stiebris, BS, MBA and Steven H. Miller, CDT | CommentsChemical eye burns don't stop burning. Unlike an impact or abrasion, where damage is done in an instant, chemical burns keep on doing harm until the hazardous substance is removed from the eye. Minimizing injury is, therefore, a race against time. That's why the standard for eyewash stations1dictates that they must be accessible within 10 seconds of places where accidental exposure may be expected.
Retrofit hoods to improve safety, reduce energy use
February 13, 2013 10:26 am | by Thomas C. Smith | CommentsMost traditional fume hoods operate at average face velocities of 100 ft/min. However, many lack the aerodynamic features of new high-performance fume hoods, which enable containment at reduced face velocities and lower energy consumption. As an alternative to replacement, traditional fume hoods can now be upgraded using innovative technology to reduce face velocity.
Lab of the Year Entries Closed for 2013
February 12, 2013 4:07 pm | by Patrice Galvin, Laboratory Design News | CommentsThe Laboratory of the Year and winners of special categories will be announced in an upcoming issue of Laboratory Design Connection (e-newsletter). Profiles of the labs will be featured in the June issue of Laboratory Design.
Renovate vs. new? Count down your options
February 11, 2013 10:39 am | by Andy Vazzano, FAIA | CommentsThe inherent limitations of existing facilities—safety, energy performance, floorplate and height constraints, and so on—can make renovation an extensive and expensive undertaking. Let's explore a "Top 10" approach to analyzing the "renovation vs. new construction" dilemma.
UMass renovation meets changing research needs
February 11, 2013 10:26 am | by Lisa Reindorf, AIA, LEED AP, and Mitchell Goldman, RA | CommentsIn December 2012, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst celebrated the opening of renovated research laboratories in the 16-story Lederle Graduate Research Center. New laboratories, offices, and classrooms will support the department of chemistry and the department of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Five steps to successfully commissioning complex building types
February 8, 2013 11:53 am | by Jim Contratto | CommentsWhether it’s a new, greenfield hospital, renovation of an existing laboratory, or expansion of a manufacturing facility, complex building systems in complex building types are designed to perform at high levels. However, if not commissioned properly, the high-performing facility you thought was being built could be severely underperforming.
Bridgestone project helps client achieve green goals
February 8, 2013 11:35 am | by Matthew Sutter, AIA, RA, LEED AP | CommentsHow do you show your company’s commitment to the environment while attracting the world’s best and brightest technical minds? Bridgestone decided to build a new, green, state-of-the-art Technical Center in the middle of its existing Ohio campus.
Awards recognize the best in sustainable labs
December 12, 2012 2:50 pm | CommentsI2SL, in partnership with R&D Magazine and Laboratory Design, is pleased to acknowledge the winners of the fifth annual Go Beyond Awards. Go Beyond Award winners show their commitment to the goals of excellence in sustainability in laboratory and other high-technology facility projects by going beyond the facility itself.
Web-based energy monitoring stretches research dollars
December 12, 2012 2:31 pm | by Tim Angerame | CommentsIn today's difficult economic climate, when financial savings are critical to every facility, laboratory owners and administrators demand even more from their energy systems while looking to spend less. With new laboratory facilities, generating ongoing energy savings can be achieved through a comprehensive monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx) process to ensure that all building systems remain "in tune."
Abstracts highlight laboratory sustainability conference
December 12, 2012 2:06 pm | by Phil Wirdzek | CommentsIn 2012, the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) continued to enrich and expand the Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs21) Annual Conference, made possible through its co-sponsorship agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Developing a standard structure for energy auditing using BIM at Penn State
December 12, 2012 2:00 pm | by Craig R. Dubler and Tabitha Sprau Coulter | CommentsWith buildings accounting for ~39% of total energy consumption, it is important that they be maintained to continuously operate efficiently. Pennsylvania State University has more than 1,780 buildings. During the 2011-12 school year, these buildings emitted ~550,000 MTCO2e, which is a 27.5% reduction from what the university anticipated had it not implemented its reduction strategy plan.
Reduce energy costs with standby laboratory exhaust fans
December 12, 2012 1:51 pm | by Victor Neuman | CommentsThe biggest user of energy in a laboratory is the HVAC system. Few techniques have been applied to saving energy and operating cost in the chemical exhaust portion of the air-conditioning system. The current practice is to have two chemical exhaust fans for each exhaust duct.
Free tool analyzes HVAC energy savings approaches
December 12, 2012 1:47 pm | by Gordon P. Sharp | CommentsAnalyzing a laboratory's HVAC energy consumption is often quite difficult due to the unique characteristics of laboratories. Conventional commercial or widely available energy analysis programs are typically not the best approach, particularly when different control strategies and systems are employed to reduce energy use.
Modular sustainability: A plan for the Marine Research and Education Center
December 12, 2012 12:07 pm | by Daniel Addis, Jensen Ying, and Eui Song "John" Kim | CommentsWhen considering the program for the proposed Salt River Bay Marine Research and Education Center on St. Croix, as part of the International Sustainable Laboratory Student Design Competition, we immediately encountered a few factors that directly relate to sustainability and carbon footprint.
