20 Sep Modular Laboratories: Definition, Benefits, and Features
Need a lab that can adapt to new regulations? A lab that can grow as your organization does? With modular laboratories, adjustments and expansions are easy. Traditional laboratories often struggle to keep up with the demands of changing regulations or the latest technology. Modular labs, however, are built to evolve, which is why more businesses today are choosing them over traditional options. In this article, we’ll cover what modular laboratories are, their benefits, features, and more.
What are Modular Laboratories?
A modular or prefab laboratory is a type of lab built with pre-engineered or pre-fabricated parts. Such parts are built off-site in a factory environment, and each section is its own “module.” After the modules are finished, they are transported to the job site and assembled quickly into a fully functioning laboratory. “Modular” is simply the method, but what you get is essentially the same, i.e., a ready-to-use laboratory.
Traditional labs are constructed entirely on-site and typically require more time and resources (there may also be many unforeseen costs). Whether it will be a research facility, a cleanroom, or other application, modular laboratories can be customized to meet various regulatory standards, including ISO, cGMP/GMP, and USP 797/800 requirements.
Why Choose Modular Labs?
For scientific, research, and medical environments, modular laboratories have many benefits over traditional construction. Here are some of the main benefits your organization can gain by choosing them:
Faster Setup and Deployment
Modular labs significantly reduce construction time compared to traditional methods. A lab can be fully functional within weeks and months instead of years. (This also lowers cost!) A quick setup is especially important for research initiatives or healthcare needs (as during COVID) that require rapid expansion.
Less Disturbance to Ongoing Research
Unlike traditionally built labs, which may require long periods of on-site work, modular labs are mostly built off-site. This significantly reduces noise, dust, and other interruptions to important research.
Customization for Special Environments and Regulations
Modular laboratories can be customized to meet the exact specifications required for different types of research. Whether it’s a pharmaceutical lab, a cleanroom, or other application, modular designs can incorporate standards from ISO, cGMP/GMP, USP 797/800, and more.
Environmental Control
A corollary to the above is that modular labs also give organizations the ability to control environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, particle levels, airflow, and more. Modular labs can even have the very strict HVAC/filtration requirements necessary to operate a strict cleanroom.
Flexibility & Scalability
Perhaps the most underrated advantage of modular labs is that they can be modified/adjusted, downsized, expanded, and even moved. This can include changing the design to fit new regulations. For example, if you needed to create stricter controls on particles, you could adapt your current lab to the new desired changes. This would be very difficult if not impossible to do with a traditional lab. This adjustability is especially important in industries like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, where regulations may require continuous updates.
How Can Modular Labs Be Customized?
Modular labs, as we’ve touched on briefly, can be customized in a huge variety of ways. Here are some of the most popular options that we offer at Allied Cleanrooms (though this is by no means an exhaustive list):
Environmental Controls
- Airflow Systems: Single-pass or recirculating airflow for environments that need to keep particle levels low.
- Climate Control: Systems that can monitor and control air quality, temperature, humidity, and particle levels.
- Advanced Filtration: HEPA/ULPA filters to remove contaminants and maintain clean air for critical environments.
Materials/Surface Options
- Durable Frames: Powder-coated, anodized aluminum or steel for long-lasting and low-maintenance use.
- Impact-Resistant Panels: Designed to withstand physical wear and tear in high-traffic labs.
- Low-Maintenance Finishes: Vinyl or aluminum finishes that are easy to clean and take care of.
- Chemical-Resistant Surfaces: Made from materials that resist chemicals for safe, long-term use. (This is especially important for spaces that must use strong cleaning agents.)
The Bottom Line
Simply put, modular laboratories are the same as regular labs, only they are built using prefabrication techniques. As a result, they are a fast, flexible, and low-cost alternative to them. They can meet the same regulatory standards, are easy to expand or relocate, and can be set up quickly for those who are short on time. If you need a lab that can adapt and grow, modular is certainly the way to go.
Looking to add modular laboratories to your facility? Reach out to the experts at Allied Cleanrooms for a free quote today.
FAQs About Modular Laboratories
1. Can modular labs be relocated if needed?
Yes, absolutely. This is one of the major advantages of going with modular. At Allied Cleanrooms, our laboratory buildouts can be disassembled and relocated to a new site.
2. Can modular labs accommodate hazardous materials?
Yes, they can. Many of our customers require chemical-resistant surfaces, fume hoods, and special ventilation systems. Modular labs can also be customized to fit guidelines that deal with hazardous substances, such as USP 800.
3. Can modular labs be expanded after the initial installation?
Yes, a major benefit of modular labs is to have greater flexibility. You can easily add new sections or modules to expand the lab as your needs grow.
4. What is the lead time for designing and building a modular laboratory?
Lead times can vary a lot, of course, depending on the complexity of the lab’s design, but modular labs are generally much quicker to complete than traditional builds. At Allied Cleanrooms, a typical project can be completed in a few months from design to installation.