From biocontainment to forensic crime, vivarium labs, pharmaceutical labs and more—across the various types of laboratories which contribute to the global life science industry, one consistent factor remains the same—their energy-intensive nature.
A key factor into why labs are so energy intensive is due to the fact that laboratory air quality requirements greatly exceed those of commercial buildings. In some cases, specialty laboratories can consume 100x the energy of similarly sized commercial facilities. Laboratories are often designed for ventilation rates between 6-20 air change rates (ACH) compared to that of 1 or fewer ACH for a standard office building.
Airflow control is one of the technical building blocks of a functional laboratory. How much or how little airflow a lab has will affect fan power, and loads for heating, cooling and humidity control.
Airflow is part of several important exposure control measures including containment devices (e.g., fume hoods) room ventilation and room pressurization. In turn, ventilation systems support the exposure control devices and pressurization strategies that protect lab workers and their colleagues. These systems are built on individual air flow controllers. The way these subsystems perform enables the larger objectives of the ventilation system.
Which is why it is important to consider all the specifics to airflow that today’s laboratories must keep in mind.
Laboratory airflow conditions
Building owners and laboratory managers take the proper steps to understand and address laboratory airflow. By reducing their air change rates, they can save energy and support safety compliance efforts. Performance can also be defined with reference to control technology concepts and practical implications. Steps to achieve performance include specification, execution, testing and maintenance.
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Securing smart lab infrastructure
Implementing smart lab infrastructure drives operational efficiency and enables digital applications and services to improve occupant experience and create environments for smart labs to progress through better, data-driven business decisions. Backed by the Green Labs Solution (GLS) approach—which provides a thorough evaluation of existing lab operation and an assessment of the lab goals and objectives—implementing smart lab infrastructure can also help ensure that right ventilation rates are set by following the below checklist items:
- The right infrastructure and schedules are implemented to help ensure proper ventilation rates are observed for safe lab occupant conditions.
- The right laboratory equipment is in place. A typical Variable Air Valve (VAV) can’t meet the 20 cfm outside air requirement, as they are oversized. 20 cfm per zone 100 zones, bringing too much air. However, a Low Flow Actuator (LFA) can be controlled by a VAV, unlike a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD).
- Air change schedules have been assessed and are properly implemented to meet each space’s unique needs, to help reduce energy costs without risking the health of the occupants or assets.
- Proper airflow reduction strategies have been implemented based on: 1) Variable Air Volume (VAV) because it gradually adjusts airflow rates up and down according to instantaneous changes in loads, and 2) 2-Position Constant Volume (CV2) because it selects single high flow rate when the lab is in use and a low rate when it is unoccupied.

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