New Rules For Lab Construction On The Way

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Institute of Architects and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories are pooling their resources to establish new guidelines for the planning and design of laboratories.

Both organizations will ask for donations to develop the guidelines and seek out other industry organizations to endorse the new specifications, according to the AIA.
The new guidelines will build on the AIA’s 1999 Guidelines for Planning and Design of Biomedical Research Laboratories.

Although all laboratories and support spaces are unique, the guidelines would promote safety and security, effectiveness and flexibility, engaging and modern design, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, while meeting appropriate controlling building codes, according to AIA.

AIA and I2SL says the guidelines respond to the federal government’s call for “creating the 21st-century classrooms, libraries, and labs across America.”