GOLO® Intelligent Air Valve

GOLO valve allows lab workers to more effectively control ventilation over a wide range of airflows - they can now match the ventilation rate to the risk of hazard. This also helps labs achieve their net zero goals.

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.

Lab ventilation

A safe research lab environment requires clean air, which means that lab building ventilation rates can be as high as 12 Air Changes per Hour (ACH); that is, the entire volume of air in the lab is completely replenished with clean air 12 times every hour.

Air change rates

Labs can decrease a standard air change rate of 12 ACH to 6 or 4 ACH as long as air quality, temperature, humidity, and other conditions are not adversely affected.

Laboratory design and construction

A 10,000-square-meter lab takes about three years to be designed and constructed.

Audience demographic demands

70% of Millennials would be more loyal to a company that helps them contribute to social and environmental issues. 58% consider a company’s social and environmental commitments when deciding where to work. Millennials will soon make up 50% of the workforce and companies will have to radically evolve their value proposition to attract and retain this socially conscious group.

Laboratory design requirements

Too often, the design process fails to challenge presumed requirements. Ventilation rates have been selected according to the customary air change rate quoted by the safety department, or institutional standards, or established design practice at the firm.

Lab noise reduction

Currently, designers often oversize terminals to reduce noise, but then can’t turn down for energy savings. Usage of larger terminals can’t control low flow levels and the attenuators added to reduce noise drive back pressure therefore using larger reheat coils which result in more cost.

Modern lab environments

Additionally, modern spaces are requiring more flexible set ups, which can result in major changes in required airflows. It takes a mechanical retrofit to adjust for new air flow requirements in new lab spaces, which typically delays uptime.

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.