As experts in laboratory and cleanroom design, we understand the importance of selecting the right building for your project, whether it’s a new build, a renovation, or an addition to an existing facility.
One trend we’ve noticed among clients is that their building selection process often focuses on factors such as location, cost, and aesthetics, while neglecting the importance of a building’s structural system.
At the start of any laboratory or cleanroom design project, we evaluate the capacity of the building’s structural system. This evaluation reveals whether the building can support the added equipment, utility and sprinkler piping, ductwork, and electrical conduit distribution required for industrial, manufacturing, and cleanroom projects. In some cases, we discover that the building’s structural system is inadequate for the project’s components.
In such cases, an additional structural support system is required, which typically includes the addition of internal columns, beams, and girders. These additional structures require a solid support surface or footing as a foundation. We evaluate the slab to determine if it is thick enough to support the weight of the new structure and the additional components. If the slab is inadequate, design would include new footings and foundations in proposed column locations requiring the removal of portions of the existing slab.
Unfortunately, overlooking this supplemental support system can add an additional cost as high as 15% of the total project cost. This unforeseen expense can have a significant impact on a project’s budget and restrict the owner’s ability to build their desired laboratory or cleanroom.
The solution is to involve an architect and structural engineer early in the building selection process. They can evaluate a building’s structural system and determine whether it has adequate capacity before making a full commitment to buy or lease the building. This evaluation will determine if the existing structure has adequate capacity to support the added equipment and inform owners of their options.
We recommend including architects and structural engineers be part of an owner’s selection team when deciding whether a building is appropriate for renovation. We have completed quick evaluations of buildings’ structural systems during the RFP and designer selection process. These evaluations allowed us to notify clients in advance of unforeseen circumstances by revealing whether the building was appropriate for their needs or if there would be an unexpected cost for the required supplemental structural system.
Involving architects and structural engineers early in the building selection process is critical to ensuring the success of a laboratory or cleanroom design project. Evaluating a building’s structural system capacity enables owners to make an informed decision and avoid unexpected costs.