|
By Eddie Hall, senior project architect and senior associate, MBH Architects — Research and innovation are the driving forces behind scientific progress, and the design of laboratory spaces plays a pivotal role in facilitating groundbreaking discoveries. Two common types of laboratory spaces, wet labs and dry labs, serve distinct purposes and require different design considerations. While wet labs focus on experiments involving liquids and chemicals, dry labs primarily deal with computational and theoretical research. In this article, we will delve into the major design differences between wet lab and dry lab spaces and explore strategies to enhance flexibility and collaboration in these critical research environments.
1. Infrastructure and Equipment:
a. Wet Labs: These labs require careful layout for functional equipment, hoods, workbench relationships, and specialized infrastructure to handle plumbing, drainage, and ventilation. Bench space, fume hoods, and storage for hazardous materials are central to wet lab design. Robust backup power to keep critical systems operational during power outages is common.
b. Dry Labs: Infrastructure for data connectivity, computational equipment, and ergonomic workstations and a mix of workspaces take precedence. Dry labs demand ample power supply, efficient cooling systems, and network infrastructure to support high-performance computing.
Read more . . .
|
|
|
by Eileen McMorrow – Hybrid work is changing when and where people access the workplace, and many are choosing their own cars over public transit. What they drive is changing, too. A greater number of U.S. drivers are choosing an electric vehicle (EV), and that is creating a greater demand for EV charging in more public places. As a result, the availability of reliable EV charging at hospitals and healthcare facilities is an additional service in the competition for healthcare workers and patients.
EVs are predicted to be half of global car sales by 2035. By 2030, every vehicle will have a charging plug, and even Porsche has made a $9 billion investment. EV sales will soar to about 73 million units in 2040, up from around two million in 2020, according to Goldman Sachs Research. The percentage of EVs in worldwide car sales, meanwhile, is expected to rise to 61% from 2% during that span. The share of EV sales is anticipated to be well over 80% in many developed countries.1 (Electric vehicles are forecast to be half of global car sales by 2035, Goldman Sachs, 02102023)
Experts estimate that by 2030, 28 million EVs will enter the American auto market. To power them, the U.S. will need 700,000 Level-2 EV chargers and 70,000 Level-3 EV chargers. That’s an eight-fold increase in the country’s EV charging infrastructure in just seven years. The influx of EVs is greatest in the West to Lower Midwest and along the East Coast. California is in first place at three percent EV car adoption. 2 (ABM EV Charging Solutions. Expert answers to every EV question, page 2)
Read more . . .
| |
|
Socius has a contemporary aesthetic suited for healthcare, corporate and communal spaces. From Versteel, its welcoming and adaptable design, characterized by a sleek steel frame and flexible back, caters to the diverse requirements of a wide range of people. Its upscaled presence is elevated with distinct details including gentle curves on the front and back of the upholstered seat.
The Socius collection offers a choice of mid- or high-back chairs, an easy-access chair with gripped footrail, and various sizes of bariatric seating. Ample space between the back and seat simplifies the cleaning process. The steel frame is available in chrome, nickel or powder coat finishes, enhancing its resilience and cleanability. Urethane arm caps of varying colors may be specified.
Visit Versteel at the Healthcare Design Expo booth 511.
Read more . . .
| | |
|
|
Senators Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on September 12 introduced the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act (PDF), AHA-supported legislation that would make assaulting healthcare workers in hospitals a federal crime, with enhanced penalties for assaults that result in serious bodily injury. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), the bill would also require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the effectiveness of the legislation in reducing violence against the health care workforce. Similar legislation was introduced in the House in April.
"Caregivers and other healthcare professionals are the heart of our nation’s healthcare system and deserve an environment free from violence," stated Rick Pollack, AHA president and CEO. "Hospitals are places of healing, which is why they are using a range of innovative strategies to create safer spaces for their workers and patients, including focusing on technology and training to mitigate risk to redesigning facilities and workflow processes to prioritize safety and reimagining relationships with hospital security and others to support prevention and crisis response."
Read more . . .
| |
|
Palencia coffee and end tables feature a round solid-surface top on a tapered smooth base. Preferred for use in healthcare wait spaces, their clean lines offer a high level of functionality for resting drinks, laptops or toys. Ideal for hospital lobbies and other medical wait spaces with high-traffic areas, Kwalu designed the tabletops for easy cleaning with a disinfectant wipe, interrupting the spread of HAIs, so they are germ-free and ready for the next user.
The bases of the Palencia tables look like wood but are made from an award-winning, ground-breaking, solid surface, high-impact-resistant polymer, avoiding the drawbacks of wood in healthcare settings. Bases are moisture-impervious, graffiti-and-scratch-resistant, and maintenance-free. The table surfaces will not chip, split or swell from the constant cleaning. Facilities and EVS will approve and celebrate not having to annually repaint scuffed or damaged metal/wood bases.
The Palencia Collection, to be shown at the Healthcare Design Expo booth 1337 in New Orleans, Nov. 5-7, is SCS Certified Furniture, rated SCS Indoor Air Advantage Gold — the highest quality rating for indoor air quality (IAQ). The steel Kwalu uses for its patented joint construction is made from 99% recycled content (82% pre-consumer and 17% post-consumer).
Read more . . .
| |
|
Career growth in facility management is wide open, and there are a host of FM-related organizations that support professional development. The industry conferences usually offer a “Women in FM” discussion session and networking. But oftentimes that’s really not enough. Women in facility management, architecture, design and planning could benefit from a sustained peer-supported organization that supports critical career development for women. That’s where NextUp becomes an opportunity and an asset.
The NextUp network delivers inclusive programs and experiences that advance women at every stage of their career, accelerate workplace equity and drive business growth. They do this by developing leaders at every level of business, transforming norms by creating workplace equity and leading the DEI&B conversation by supporting women of color and their allies. NextUp envisions a world where women have equal opportunities at work and equal opportunity to build their lives and careers exactly the way they want them.
The 17,000-member-strong association, present in 21 regions across the U.S., provides critical career development for women who come to NextUp as individuals or members of a partner organization. Its leadership believes goals are unique to each person and tailors solutions that cater to its members’ career level.
For facility and design professionals who are ready to see what’s next:
NextUp Membership is open to individuals or members of a partner organization. When you join NextUp through The McMorrow Reports/FMLink, you are entitled to 20 percent off with the code NextUp23McMorrow.
For more information, contact Beth Fasching, strategic partnership director, NextUp.
Read more . . .
| |
|
By Sara Marberry — If you’ve been in the healthcare design industry for 30+ years like I have, you’ve seen a lot of design trends and fads come and go. If you’re relatively new to the field, you may think that many of the ideas people are talking about today are new. But the reality is that a lot of these ideas are design trends that are now standard practice. And some are design fads that could become trends.
So what’s the difference between a trend and a fad? A trend is a prevailing tendency that’s gradually gaining momentum and might have long-term implications, while a fad is a short-term burst of interest or way of being (like bellbottom pants). With the help of my friend, healthcare architect Sheila Cahnman, I came up with the following lists of healthcare design trends and fads.
Healthcare design trends of the past that are now standard practice include:
- Single-patient rooms
- Access to nature and natural light
- Flexible spaces
- Wayfinding systems
- Sleeper sofas/chairs
- Art as positive distraction
- Indirect lighting
Read more . . .
| |
|
The heart of the AHR Expo is its massive show floor featuring 1,600+ exhibits from the world’s top HVACR manufacturers. If you’re looking to explore and discover the very latest HVACR products and technology, you’ll find it all on display at the AHR Expo in Chicago, January 22-24, 2024. Led by experts, the AHR program features 100+ free sessions on today’s best practices, industry trends, tips for improved ROI, and ways to boost your professional growth. The education sessions will be posted soon. In the meantime, attendees can reference the 2023 sessions.
AHR attracts the top minds in the industry to keep building managers current on everything HVACR. In addition to the latest products and technology, with 1726 exhibitors, AHR will explore trending topics in all sectors of the industry including artificial intelligence (AI) and controls, decarbonization, plumbing and hydronics, heat pumps, refrigerants, workforce development, business and professional growth, and much more. The AHR Panel Series, posting soon, brings a wide variety of leaders together to discuss trending topics and the impact across industry segments.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Whether it’s a hospital with 1,000 beds or an urgent care clinic with 100 patients a day, healthcare facilities management’s core promise is to empower the highest standard of care. But threats are causing standards to decrease. From shrinking margins to an aging workforce, healthcare organizations increasingly face issues that threaten their overall functionality and efficiency, ultimately threatening the quality of patient care, points out facilities services provider OpenWorks.
Healthcare facility management is critical to medical facilities and ensures service requests are delivered efficiently and quickly to maintain operations without disruption. Effective medical facilities are critical to meeting people’s needs. Appropriate medical facilities help reduce losses because they help save time, effort, and labor. The effective use of facilities can deepen the relationship between medical facilities and patients.
Read more . . .
|
|
|
Hiring qualified and skilled facilities staff is very challenging for senior facility managers. The demand for FMs is high and mature candidates with the right skills can dramatically change their employment opportunities and become the talent that employers seek. Going for training, additional certifications and credential renewal is par for the course. Facility managers might want to avail of findings published earlier this year based on results from the Facility Management (FM) Training Outlook Survey.
Addressing the FM skills gap
Facility managers require a much broader skill set than most professionals. From trades skills to technical and soft skills, it can take an entire career to learn it all through experience. While some areas change rapidly and need constant attention, such as technology, regulations and standards, most skills have a long shelf life and are transferable across positions.
Read more . . .
| |
|
This week's Featured Book from FMLink's Books section is from the ADA and Accessibility category. This collection of peer-reviewed books has been curated by the editorial team at FMLink to provide facilities, engineering and A&D professionals with access to publications relating to the ADA and Accessibility topic.
Many are of the mistaken impression they must only comply with the ADA regulations. While ADA regulations have taken center stage, they do not apply universally. This handbook on accessibility regulations for elevators, platform lifts, and escalators contains rationale for the requirements; explanations, examples, and excerpts from the codes, standards, and regulations that are referenced.
The information was compiled from committee minutes, correspondence and interpretations, as well as conversations with past and present personnel involved with the development, implementation, enforcement and interpretation of accessibility regulations.
This and other ADA and Accessibility titles are now available for purchase on FMLink.
| | | | |
