Designs and considerations for laboratories have developed over the years due to advancements in technology, engineering, and growing interest in mental health in the workplace. For example, when building laboratories, extensive pre-planning and site visits still happen, with contractors coming up with comprehensive lists of equipment and utilities.
There are still several variables to be considered for storage and choices for open and closed layouts. So what are some of the new advancements coming up? Learn about them and time-established considerations.
Containment Through Wall, Doors, and Floors
One of the primary considerations in laboratory designs is the importance of keeping it separate from the outside to contain valuable samples, data, and equipment. In addition, many of what’s inside are harmful to humans, animals, and plant life because they can include live cultures of bacteria and viruses. In many cases, samples are volatile and degrade in uncontrolled environments.
Laboratories are also equipped with some of the most expensive pieces of technology you can imagine. That means building a secure perimeter is indispensable for protecting valuable assets.
When you think about walls, you talk about high-quality concrete that is gas-impermeable, including walls and ceilings. The same quality is expected from doors. There must be air gaps under them to ensure a suitable airflow. Although understandably, it’s essential to know that different rooms have different designs for their purposes. For example, some rooms may be designed and built to be airtight. This is vital for those dealing with toxic chemicals or contagious specimens of harmful organisms.
When you think of floors, you should think about specialized pharma flooring. Pharmaceutical flooring is in a different league compared to your standard floor tiles. These are skid and slip-resistant, with their unique properties withstanding unstable compounds or hazardous chemicals. Plus, they’re easier to clean, and they can maintain the safety and sanitation of the facility.
Trends in Technology and Science: Artificial Intelligence
The first on our list is artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These offer new ways to detect infection, make a diagnosis, track health epidemics, improve medical clinical research trials, and boost production efficiency. By doing so, they meet the growing demands on the healthcare sector as the world’s population continues to age.
AI is the simulation of human intelligence in robots that have been trained to be like humans. Analyzing and executing activities with the best likelihood of reaching a specific goal is its most valuable feature. It may be simpler to describe how significant AI is to our everyday lives by defining the elements of modern society it has yet to touch. AI robots infiltrate almost every aspect of people’s lives to increase efficiency and supplement human abilities.
AI is not just enhancing people’s lives; in certain situations, it is saving them. Many businesses, notably those in information technology, invest in and explore AI to improve the healthcare system. It transforms healthcare in various ways, including developing tailored treatment protocols, improving diagnostic tools, and assisting surgeons.
Laboratory Security
To mitigate various dangers, a security system for a laboratory is deployed and used in conjunction with existing security rules. In general, laboratory safety safeguards humans from chemicals, whereas laboratory security protects chemicals from humans.
Laboratory security systems are available in various forms, both physical and electronic. The decision and execution are influenced by the level of security required as well as the available resources.
Let’s look at some of the various types of door locks laboratories invest in. Traditional or normal locks should no longer be utilized in places housing dual-use goods since they are vulnerable to duplication, loss, and failure to return after access. Crypt locks with an alpha or numeric keypad may be susceptible to thieves who may figure out the entry code. The access code should be altered from the default settings when the lock is finally placed.
There are also key fobs and biometric readers. The benefits of critical fobs or access cards are similar to swipe cards, except that the card does not need to be physically placed in the reader. Although biometric readers provide more security, they are more costly and require more frequent maintenance.
When teaching topics like science and computer technology, a laboratory is always regarded as a significant and necessary component. Public health relies heavily on laboratory medicine. It is critical for illness identification in individuals and communities. Environmental contaminants such as lead can also be detected via laboratory testing. Engineers utilize laboratories to create, test, and improve technical equipment.
Different professions and industries use it to improve various aspects of human enterprise. That’s why it’s optimal that science and technology find ways to improve their designs.
