September 30, 1995
recent developments of research laboratories
Communication:
there is less dependence on gases and water
The single most frequent source of user
than there is on electricity. Research is no
dissatisfaction during both the design and
longer bench bound; there is more writing and
construction phases is the lack of clear
use of plug-in electronic devices.
communication and interaction among parties
Critical information regarding equipment
with an interest in and responsibility for the
needs and operations is required for each
project. The Office of Construction Management
laboratory unit early in the design phase of the
selects the architecture/engineering firm (A/E)
project. In the past, new equipment purchased
with VA Medical Center representation on the
for a VA facility was considered in the electrical
Selection Board. The A/E bases their design on
power calculations; however, equipment moved
established VA criteria. Costs are fixed at the
from a previous VA facility to the new lab needs
end of design development, therefore extensive
to be anticipated also. One solution is to allow a
changes must be avoided beyond this point.
10% over-design for the number of outlets in
Plans should be reviewed by a representative
labs.
from the Research staff, the Administrative
Officer, and the Associate Chief of Staff for
In laboratories, the total building load for
Research at VA Central Office. At each phase,
preliminary design purpose is 430 W/m (40
the reviewers must examine the plans
W/ft) connected load with 160 W/m (15 W/ft)
thoroughly. Planning changes and design errors
demand load at the power panels. Electrical
need to be addressed as early as possible to
power panels are to be located along the corridor
avoid costly change orders during construction.
for access by maintenance workers.
Where
access to electrical panels is restricted,
The Office of Construction Management at
consideration should be given to providing spare
VA Central Office assigns a Resident Engineer
conduits inside the labs.
(RE) to a project prior to beginning construction.
The RE is responsible for assuring that
An emergency power system (including
construction proceeds on schedule, stays within
provisions for alarms wired to a centrally
the budgeted cost and follows plans and
monitored station) for the following should be
specifications bid on by the contractor.
given significant consideration: elevator exits for
Interaction
between
the
RE
and
user
disabled
people,
freezers,
representatives is crucial.
The project
incubators, controlled temperature rooms, fume
coordinator, who may be either the Chief of the
hoods, tissue culture areas, and other equipment
VA Medical Center Engineering Service, or
responsible for maintaining costly experiments.
another individual assigned by the VA Medical
Approximately half of the 120 V outlets in
Center Director will have frequent contact with
common instrument rooms are to be on
the RE. During construction, the Research staff
emergency power.
representative and the VA Administrative Officer
Outlets should be clearly marked (color
should be afforded the opportunity of touring the
coded) so users can readily identify the proper
site at monthly intervals.
type of power. Particular attention should be
directed to each work station area within the
laboratory to provide duplex 120 V - 20 A
Engineering Considerations:
commercial power, and 120 V - 20 A emergency
power as required. Laboratories are designed
with enough 120 V circuits for the known
Electrical (Emergency power,
equipment plus 20% spare circuits for future
power requirements, lighting):
loads. (In calculations, each circuit should be
loaded with no more than 1200 W.)
Each
Power needs for research laboratories far
laboratory unit needs adequate 208 V single
exceed those for typical commercial buildings. In
phase receptacles to accommodate large
Page 2-4
VA Design Guide -- Research Laboratory
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