Guidelines for Laboratory Design

On-Site
June 12 – 16, 2023
$2,900

Online
February 12 – 16, 2024
$2,600

On-Site
June 10 – 14, 2024
$3,200

Harvard Longwood Campus, Boston, MA

The program will definitely benefit me and my organization in various lab renovations we are doing and in building our new institute which we are processing right now. The program far exceeded my expectations.

—Samaila Shawulu
Architecture, Design and Construction, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria

Program Overview
Objectives & Highlights
Credits and Logistics
Faculty
Agenda
Who Should Participate

Program Overview

The design and construction of a laboratory, regardless of its use, involves many stakeholders. While providing a safe environment for laboratory users to perform their work is imperative, competing stakeholders’ needs often cause health and safety considerations to be overlooked.

Participating in Guidelines for Laboratory Design: Health and Safety Considerations will help you address this issue by providing you with an understanding of how lab design options impact the health and safety of laboratory users and the environment. With this knowledge, you will be able to incorporate the needs of all stakeholders and ensure your labs are safe, free of health hazards, and promote a healthier environment.

Participants in this program will explore and address health and safety considerations for diverse laboratory types and gain the skills they need to create a safe laboratory environment. This program covers general laboratory design challenges, as well as issues specific to chemistry, microelectronics clean room, engineering, animal, biosafety, clinical, and sustainable laboratories. Participants also address issues with new laboratory construction, renovation, and decommissioning. Implications of COVID-19 on laboratory design will also be discussed.

This course provides a unique opportunity for architects, EHS professionals, engineers, lab users, and lab managers to collaborate on laboratory design.

Guided Laboratory Tours

The online version of this program will feature three laboratories. You will participate in a virtual tour of Harvard’s newly completed Science and Engineering Complex and hear directly from the building’s designers and EHS professionals. You will also learn about Boston Children’s Hospital’s Clinical Laboratory and the MIT.nano building.

The on campus version of this program features guided tours of chemistry, clean room, nanotechnology, clinical, biosafety, and animal research laboratories at leading academic and medical institutions in the Boston area. These tours help reinforce concepts taught during the course and ensure you leave able to apply what you learned to your organization’s facilities and projects.

Previous guided tours have included:

Open labs at the MIT Koch Institute
Animal labs at the MIT Koch Institute
Clean rooms at Harvard University
Chemistry research laboratory renovations at Harvard University
Clinical laboratories at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

The Importance of Health and Safety in Lab Design

For most architects, engineers, and constructors, building codes are the only significant guide on matters of health and safety. Few have any background for intentionally designing for health and safety in laboratories and other technical facilities.

When practitioners move beyond basic building codes to frameworks such as Sustainable Design, health and safety may be compromised further as another design consideration takes priority. By designing to code and not directly addressing the specific health and safety issues present in laboratories, architects, engineers, and constructors open themselves to potential professional, reputation, and legal liabilities.

This program will provide you with the requisite knowledge to thoroughly and proactively design for health and safety.

Objectives & Highlights

Architects will be able to:

Evaluate laboratory design options related to health, safety, and environmental considerations using risk assessment and cost-effectiveness parameters
Apply appropriate design information for laboratory types used in industry, academia, and hospitals
Demonstrate familiarity with mechanical systems vital to state-of-the-art laboratory functions
Understand the primary principles of safety, health, and environmental responsibilities and impact of these considerations on planning and sustainable design of laboratory facilities
Learn details of laboratory systems and planning strategies to reduce risks to occupants of laboratory facilities
Learn to plan laboratories so that chemical fume hoods and other potential hazardous processes and equipment perform safely
Decommission, decontaminate, renovate, and reconstruct old laboratories

Design and facility engineers will be able to:

Apply laboratory design information regarding heat loads from research equipment, ventilation requirements, optimum air flows, and contamination control through air pressure regulation
Identify recent developments in the design of HVAC systems for laboratories, including variable air volume (VAV) systems, high performance hoods, air exchange rates, ductless hoods, recirculation of air, and the application of energy conservation measures
Learn to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to improve performance of chemical fume hoods
Incorporate into practice important information about the design of hazardous waste-handling facilities, safety shower and eyewash stations, and research support facilities

Occupational health and safety professionals will be able to:

Complete structures that are safe and free of health hazards by consulting with architects, contractors, owners, and users during program scope definition, design, and construction
Identify design features that provide solutions for the unique health and safety hazards associated with laboratories used for different functions
Become familiar with CFD and how it is used in laboratory design
Provide detailed specifications regarding laboratory support facilities for hazardous waste storage, packaging, and shipping
Identify the unique needs of specific types of laboratories such as biosafety, chemistry, microelectronics, animal facilities, and engineering
Understand the perspectives and constraints of architects and engineers, and the need to communicate with them from the earliest stages of the project through completion

Learn practical and cost-effective solutions to renovation and reconstruction issues including:

Green design and construction
Decontamination of an existing facility
Special health and safety precautions in partially occupied buildings undergoing renovation
Adding energy conservation features
Case studies of successful reconstructions and details of decisions not to reconstruct will also be presented
Laboratory ventilation including fume hoods and other exhaust requirements
Safety design features including fire protection, electrical systems, emergency equipment and controls, and chemical storage

Credits and Logistics

Please note: a laptop or other portable personal computing device is strongly recommended for course enrollees.

Accommodations

June 2023

The Inn at Longwood Medical
342 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
TEL: (617) 731-4700 FAX:
$259/night + 16.45% tax

Book Online

· 5 minute walk to program location

· Complimentary access to Fitness Center

· Complimentary access to High Speed Internet Guest Rooms

· Complimentary In-Room Keurig Coffee

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a reduced rate until May 19, 2023. These rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be advised that hotels in the Boston area can sell out very quickly. We recommend making your hotel reservation as soon as you receive registration and payment confirmation. Please mention group code HLAB2023 and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to receive the special rate.

June 2024

Please check back for updated information.

Program Check-in

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
FXB Building
651 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
617.432.2100

The program takes place at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, located in the heart of the Harvard Longwood Campus in Boston. Public transportation is also readily available to the city’s many shopping districts, museums, and restaurants.

For directions, please click here.

Continuing Education Credit

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health will grant 3.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for this program, equivalent to 38 contact hours of education. Participants can apply these contact hours toward other professional education accrediting organizations.

The American Academy of Health Physics will grant 38 Continuing Education Credits for completion of this course.

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a registered provider with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. This program is designated for 32.5 LU Hours. In order to receive credit, participants must attend all sessions.

All credits subject to final agenda.

All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation upon completion of the program.

ERC shield

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has an Education and Research Center (ERC) funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Faculty

Jack T. Dennerlein, PhD

Faculty

June 12 – 16, 2023

Adjunct Professor of Ergonomics and Safety
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Professor
Northeastern University

David Dumais

Faculty

Monday, June 12, 2023
7:30–8:00 am		Check-in and Continental Breakfast
8:00–8:15 am		Classroom Technology Orientation
8:15–9:00 am		Program Introduction and Overview
9:00–9:45 am		Health and Safety Codes, Standards, and Environmental Regulations for the Lab
9:45–10:00 am		Refreshment Break
10:00–11:00 am		Lab Programming & Modular Design
11:00 am–12:00 pm		Risk Assessment and Hazard Planning
12:00–1:00 pm		Lunch
1:00–3:00 pm		Laboratory Hoods
3:00–3:15 pm		Refreshment Break
3:15–5:15 pm		Loss Prevention and Personal Safety for the Laboratory
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
7:30–8:00 am		Continental Breakfast
8:00–9:00 am		Laboratory HVAC Concepts & Measuring Airflow Effectiveness
9:00–10:00 am		Air & Gas Cleaning Technology for Laboratory Exhaust Lab Air
10:00–10:15 am		Refreshment Break
10:15–11:45 am		Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Assisted Laboratory Design
11:45 am–12:30 pm		Lunch
12:30–2:00 pm		Type Lab Design I: Animal Laboratory, Design, and Engineering
12:30–1:45 pm		Type Lab I: Hazardous Chemical, Biological & Radioactive Lab Waste
2:00–2:30 pm		Bus departs for Harvard University
2:45–3:15 pm		Type Lab II: Engineering Laboratory
3:15–5:15 pm		Lab Tour I: Harvard Engineering Laboratory
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
7:30–8:00 am		Continental Breakfast
8:00–9:45 am		Type Lab Design III: Biosafety Laboratory Planning, Engineering, Commissioning and Certification
8:00–8:45 am		Trends in Laboratory Design and Costs
8:45–9:45 am		Building Performance & Commissioning
9:45–10:00 am		Refreshment Break
10:00–11:00 am		Type Lab Design III: Biosafety Laboratory Planning, Engineering, Commissioning and Certification
10:00–11:00 am		Accident Prevention During Renovation
11:00–11:45 am		ADA Labs: Workers & Students with Disabilities
11:45 am–12:00 pm		Workshop Introduction
12:00–1:00 pm		Lunch and Workshop Preparation
1:00–1:45 pm		Workshop I: Presentations
1:45–2:15 pm		Type Lab IV: Microelectronics and Nanotechnology
2:15–2:30 pm		Refreshment Break
2:30–3:00 pm		Bus departs for MIT
2:30–3:00 pm		Type Lab III: Microelectronics and Nanotechnology
3:00–5:00 pm		Lab Tour II: MIT Nanotechnology Building
Thursday, June 15, 2023
7:30–8:00 am		Continental Breakfast
8:00–9:30 am		Type Lab Design V: Clinical Laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital
8:00–9:30 am		Type Lab Design IV: Clinical Laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital
9:30–9:45 am		Refreshment Break
11:00 am–12:00 pm		Renovation Diagnostics
11:15 am–12:15 pm		Renovation Diagnostics
12:00–1:00 pm		Lunch
1:00–2:00 pm		Accident Prevention During Renovation
1:15–2:15 pm		Type Lab Design VI: Biosafety Laboratory Planning, Engineering, Commissioning and Certification
2:00–3:00 pm		Laboratory Decommissioning & Decontamination
3:00–3:15 pm		Refreshment Break
3:15–4:30 pm		Type Lab VII: Sustainable Lab Design: Construction & Operations
4:30–5:30 pm		Sustainable Laboratories: Case Studies
5:30–6:30 pm		Optional Tour of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Laboratories
Friday, June 16, 2023
7:30–8:00 am		Continental Breakfast
8:00–8:45 am		Trends in Laboratory Design and Costs
8:00–9:45 am		Type Lab Design VI: Biosafety Laboratory Planning, Engineering, Commissioning and Certification
8:45–9:45 am		Building Performance & Commissioning
9:45–10:00 am		Refreshment Break
10:00–11:30 am		Laboratory Ergonomics
10:00–11:30 am		Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Assisted Laboratory Design
11:30 am–12:30 pm		Lunch and Workshop Preparation
12:30–1:15 pm		Workshop II: Presentations
1:15–2:00 pm		Case Study of Lab Building Design
2:00–2:15 pm		Program Critique and Closing

February 11 – 15, 2024

This agenda is subject to change. All times listed are in Eastern Time (ET).

Friday, February 9, 2024
11:00 am–12:00 pm		Optional Meet & Greet
Monday, February 12, 2024
9:00–9:15 am		Information on Remote Learning Technology
9:15–9:45 am		Program Introduction and Overview
9:45–10:15 am		Health and Safety Codes, Standards, and Environmental Regulations for the Lab
10:15–10:30 am		Break
10:30–11:30 am		Lab Programming, Modular Design, and Hazard Planning
11:30 am–12:00 pm		Break
12:00–1:00 pm		Loss Prevention and Personal Safety for the Laboratory
1:00–1:15 pm		Break
1:15–2:15 pm		Laboratory Hoods
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
9:00–9:15 am		Open Discussion
9:15–10:00 am		Air & Gas Cleaning Technology for Laboratory Exhaust Lab Air
10:00–10:15 am		Break
10:15–11:00 am		Measuring Airflow Effectiveness
11:00–11:30 am		Break
11:30 am–12:30 pm		Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Assisted Laboratory Design
12:30–12:45 pm		Break
12:45–2:15 pm		Biosafety Laboratory Planning, Construction and Commission
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
9:00–10:30 am		Animal Laboratory Design and Engineering
10:30–10:45 am		Break
10:45–11:00 am		Discussion: Harvard Engineering Laboratory
11:00–11:30 am		Hazardous Lab Waste Collection
11:30 am–12:00 pm		Break
12:00–1:00 pm		Building Performance and Commissioning
1:00–1:15 pm		Break
1:15–2:15 pm		SESSION & VIRTUAL TOUR: MIT Nanotechnology Lab
Thursday, February 15, 2024
9:00–10:00 am		SESSION & VIRTUAL TOUR: Boston Children's Hospital, Clinical Laboratory
10:00–10:15 am		Break
10:15–10:45 am		Laboratory Renovation Diagnostics
10:45–11:15 am		Lab Decommissioning and Decontamination
11:15–11:45 am		Break
11:45 am–12:15 pm		Accident Prevention During Renovation
12:15–12:45 pm		Case Study: Living Building Challenge
12:45–1:00 pm		Break
1:00–2:15 pm		Sustainable Laboratory Design: Construction and Operations
Friday, February 16, 2024
9:00–10:00 am		Laboratory Ergonomics
10:00–10:15 am		Break
10:15–11:15 am		ADA: Lab Occupants with Disabilities
11:15–11:45 am		Break
11:45 am–12:30 pm		Trends in Laboratory Design and Costs
12:30–12:45 pm		Virtual Workshop: Lab Costs
12:45–1:00 pm		Break
1:00–2:15 pm		Issues Discussion with GLD Faculty

Who Should Participate

This program is designed for any professional involved in designing, constructing, renovating, or managing laboratories, including:

Architects and designers
Construction managers
Environment, health, and safety professionals
Facilities managers
Laboratory managers
Laboratory planners
Project managers
Scientists, researchers, and other laboratory users

Ideal participants will come from organizations including:

Architecture firms
Engineering and construction companies
Government agencies
Higher education and research institutions
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
Other commercial and noncommercial research organizations