Designing An Effective And Efficient Laboratory: Price List And Comparison With Reed College’s Chemistry Lab

1. How effectiveness is attained in the design and the possibility to work on it evaluated

2. How it is organized to attain the efficiency standards

1. Compare your lab design with a college teaching lab

• Similarities:

Our designed lab is compared with the 1992 built Reed college Chemistry lab:

Firstly, there is common safety features such as fire exits, alarms and smoke sensors. Besides, hazardous material storage location is integrated in both labs. For ventilation requirements, there are several doors and windows. Similar waste disposal techniques are integrated such as soluble wastes are managed using water. There is incorporation of safety pictograms in the laboratory walls. Besides, for grouped affinity elements they are closely linked unlike in traditional design of chain-link elements. Lastly, there is similar furniture incorporation such as stools, workbenches, chairs. Besides, in both cases, capacity is matched. (Note that there are a total of 7 similarities, check the bold fonts)

In my case, the design presents incorporation of technology in lab safety systems. There is inbuilt functional flexibility of the lab such that lab can be converted into a group study room very easily. There is also more space economy and utilization, this consequently attains order in arrangements of interior facilities and equipment. Admittedly, this ensures quicker access to critical points and maximum utilization of resources within the lab. Additionally, advanced security systems and safety are integrated. For example, there is facial recognition access control; the doors are installed with push button mechanical digital locks. For safety systems, there are ABC powdered fire extinguisher and first aid kits installed at strategic points. The lab is also easily accessible given that it is to be seated on the ground floor unlike Reeds’ lab which is seated on a high level storey building. Lastly, the layout is very flexible such that the function of the la can easily be converted into a group study room. (Note that there are a total of 5 differences as required)

• Why your design better(defended as well; check the bold fonts)

Therefore, the following ensures the design is better:

• Better space utilizationsince space economy is nowadays a critical factor of design. Space is created in a creative manner in the above design. Notably, if all elements were to be considered in this case without considering their relative locations within the laboratory then we would likely be having a scenario where there is haphazard positioning of elements. However, with the illustrated technique it is more orderly as every element has its space created in a unique fashion. For instance, there are temporary storage units under the work benches to minimize unnecessary movements during lab operation to the store room.
• More advanced safety and security systems This is also essential given the increasing threats to national and global security situation. It is critical to monitor in a real time fashion the activities of the lab occupants so that necessary proactive action can be taken in a case for emergency such as terrorist attacks or sudden explosions. The lab room is integrated with top notch video and imaging scanners at strategic points.
• More appropriate hazards and flammable material handling; there is a separate room for controlled conditions). The main objective for separating extremely dangerous experiments and chemicals from low risk ones was such that there could be confidence among the users of the lab on the practical realities. A chance of hazardous material exposure such as radiations is minimized amongst users. The flammable materials are best handled when placed in separate locations.
• Flexible layout design since it can easily be changed into a work group study with minimal effort (there are mobile work benches which again double up as storage facilities for lab equipments and glass ware.  Functional flexibility is among the design factors being considered today. Versatility of facilities is a key feature and in this case various strategies were placed to achieve it. It allows a facility to be used and reused hence reducing the facility costs that would have been channeled into construction of a study room.
• Why there are similarities and differences

Both laboratories are used for chemical and biological experiments hence there are common standards applied. Secondly, they are closely similar in terms of the intended purpose hence there are some similarities in design. However, they have also differences since the former was built in 1992 while the latter is to be built hence there are differences in construction technology and design. Some of the security features at the time of construction of the Reeds lab have become obsolete and effectively been replaced by more advanced security systems. For example, the face recognition device will be installed in the new laboratory ( a feature that is not available in the old laboratory). Besides, the new lab is designed for functional flexibility such that it can serve both as a group study room and a laboratory since it will have moveable work and experiment benches. The aspect of versatility also comes along. Modern laboratories are supposed to serve a range of users hence the new design strives to meet the needs of the other users as well. (This is sufficient justification as to why the proposed design is better)

2. How lab meets the guidelines of efficiency, effectiveness, safety and security

• Safety and security: This is a key design and operation feature in the lab. The lab itself is a risk to the users and this risk must be restricted to minimum levels. Potential safety risks include: fire and smoke, flooding, electrical faults, inhalation of hazardous substances such as fumes. All these are effectively minimized through a systematic strategy and control and this is achieved as follows:  There are several exhaust ducts and collectorsat the roofing section such that proper ventilation and air conditioning is to be attained. Therefore incidences of suffocation are zero. The roofing section location ensures unrestrained space for operation is available. There are fire and smoke sensors and extinguishers for effective fire control in case of outbreak. The fire extinguishers are located near exit doors for accessibility and retrieval. There is adequate supply of water by having taps at every work and experiment bench. Natural lighting is provided by integrating several windows. The amount of lighting is achieved through control by a semi-translucent cover.

Importance to the scientist

Safety and security are two critical factors in the wellness of users. In case there is a security lapse in the design then all other parameters of the lab are affected. For instance, the scientist will have no confidence with the facility hence the quality of experiments will adversely be affected. Besides, safety ensures that more focus is given to the work at hand by the scientists hence productivity increases.

• Efficiency

Answers:

Efficiency is achieved by strategic location of essential elements such as work station, equipment and overall space utilization. The work benches are arranged in an orderly fashion. Besides, they are movable hence extra space can be created in case number of users is lowered or the lab is to be used as a group study room. The firefighting equipment is placed next to exits to allow for faster retrieval and access with minimal efforts. Efficiency in this case is measured in terms of speed of operation of the lab activities both in normal and emergency situation. The trolleys are included to facilitate delivery of the equipments such as delivery of glassware at every bench. Besides, under the work benches, there are inbuilt drawers and shelves to allow for efficient retrieval of the equipments. The individual space requirements are adequately provided such that one can easily operate between the work benches and the experiment benches. Efficiency is an essential design and operation performance in the lab as it ensures that activities are done expeditiously and that there are no backlog being experienced. The speed of operation of each unique activity is often standardized prior to lab operation commencements; this is done in a dedicated study called: Work study which establishes the optimized speed of operation of each task in the lab. For example, in moving the trolleys from the teachers table to the last bench on the opposite end, how long will it take? This will allow the work study team to derive the speed at which the activity is done by measuring the distances and time taken. Hence efficiency in this case is a measure of how fast or slow an operation can be and this is addressed in the lab design and layout(How this is achieved is embedded here). 

Efficiency allows scientist to carry on with experiments with zero disruptions in between. For example, since unnecessary movements are minimized, the energy being expended will only be accounted for the productive and efficient work done. It also minimizes the incidences of MSDs (Muscular-skeletal diseases) which are caused by poorly designed work stations such that one has to overstretch in doing certain tasks such as lifting and moving heavy loads around. 

Effectiveness is achieved by ensuring design facilitates availability of the facility. Hence effectiveness is defined as the product of availability and quality of performance. Availability is ensured by having the lab always ready to receive and serve users. This is achieved as follows: after lab sessions are done, group study sessions may follow hence the lab is effectively turned into a group study room in minutes by moving the benches and ensuring all equipments are stored in their proper operation. Meanwhile, quality of performance means that the entire equipment and facilities are safely handled during operation and that there is always successful completion of the planned tasks in the lab. So, why is effectiveness a critical operation and design parameter? Effectiveness ensures that the planned activities are successfully completed in the lab and that the lab is always ready to host other type of users with minimal disruption in between. Effectiveness also ensures that the quality of performance is beyond reproach and this is done through monitoring and evaluation and checking against the stipulated standards of performance, safety and quality (How this is achieved is embedded here). 

Since the layout is effectively designed, the scientist can easily do maximum work within the allotted time without getting seriously fatigued. The individual stations are clearly mapped out with all routes clearly marked therefore time wasting is minimized.

• How to make sure it is safe

The doors are burglar proof. This is done to minimize unauthorized access. The smoke sensors are installed for proactive fire alerts. The fume chamber is used to ensure experiments that produce a lot of fumes are controlled. There are several exits points to ensure quicker and more effective evacuation in case of emergency. The facial recognition only allows authorized users to access the lab hence minimizing risks associated with nonusers and strangers. The design also meets both United Kingdom and European standards of safety on such buildings. There is also adequate walkway space to minimize obstruction especially when trolleys are being moved around. The fire extinguishers are strategically positioned for more effective fire fighting. Every user must be equipped with firefighting and emergency response skills.  

• How it is organized to attain the efficiency standards

As mentioned earlier, the lab layout has been designed for flexibility in terms of use and speed. The workbenches are movable to allow space for other activities within the lab. The storage of equipments and glassware are done under the work benches to optimize space and allow for faster retrieval hence expediting the experimental sessions. The fire fighting equipments are fixed at strategic points next to the exits for faster retrieval and action in case of emergency. The walkways are designed with optimized size for efficient movement of materials and equipment to various work stations. The size of the work benches can also be reduced by halving since they are lockable. There is adequate natural lighting allowed during the day to facilitate work as working in dim light minimizes the efficiency and quality of work output. 

• How effectiveness is attained in the design and the possibility to work on it evaluated

The lab is designed for functional flexibilities. This is supported by an effective layout presented. It is possible to interchange lab use with little disruptions. Since there is localized storage, the user movement is minimized hence more focus is directed at the work at hand. Material handling is made more effective by having trolley supplying the needed materials without user personally getting them. The number of exits in the lab has also been increased to four with spacious windows and one main emergency door. This is done in order to facilitate effective evacuation during emergency scenario. Lastly, the face recognition is used to monitor real time activities of the user to effectively boost security effectiveness and ensure wellbeing of users. There is an emergency alarm that is triggered by the sensing of smoke from any corner within the lab; users are also trained effectively on how to exit the lab with minimal injuries in case of fire outbreak or explosion. Therefore, from the above features, it is confirmed that the design is most effective and can effectively be used for work by the designated users.