Introduction to Science Lab Building Systems

Science and engineering laboratories require complex infrastructure and systems that differ significantly from standard commercial buildings. This course explores the planning, design, and operational aspects of lab environments, emphasizing environmental health and safety, ventilation, HVAC, and energy conservation. Through case studies, hands-on testing, and site tours, participants will gain practical knowledge to enhance lab safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Facility operators and project managers in university and government research labs.
• Architects, engineers, and construction professionals involved in lab design and renovation.
• Environmental health and safety officers, lab technicians, and consultants supporting lab operations.

Day 1

Welcome and Introduction

Tab 1 – Planning and Architectural Considerations

• Codes and standards, needs analysis, and lab programming
• Design elements for biology, chemistry, and physics labs
• Equipment planning: fume hoods, autoclaves, optics tables

Tab 2 – Environmental Health and Safety

• Laboratory hazards, regulatory frameworks, and waste management
• Emergency systems and emerging safety issues

Tab 3 – Laboratory Ventilation

• Local exhaust devices: fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, glove boxes
• Ventilation testing, modeling, and energy considerations

Day 2

Tab 4 – HVAC Design Criteria and Air Handling

• Design goals, air exchange rates, airflow, and psychrometrics
• Air handling systems, ductwork, noise, and filtration

Tab 5 – Exhaust, Controls, and Energy

• Specialized exhaust systems and pressurization controls
• Energy use, conservation strategies, and system commissioning

Tab 6 – Ventilation Measurement and Laboratory Fume Hood Testing

• Airflow measurement, pressure differentials, and performance testing
• High-performance fume hoods and tracer gas testing

Day 3

Tab 7 – UW-Madison Lab Buildings

• Case studies: Microbial Sciences, Biochemical Sciences, Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI), Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID)
• Site tours of WEI and WID

Tab 8 – Plumbing and Fire Protection

• Lab plumbing systems: RO/DI water, vacuum pumps, waste systems
• Fire protection: sprinklers, alarms, and suppression systems

"I was mostly looking for a general, holistic understanding of how planning, architecture, HVAC, etc. come together in a lab building. As a mechanical engineer it’s easy for me to lose sight of the holistic project view. This course did a great job pulling me back to that holistic / overall view."
—Dan S., University of Tennessee, Knoxville

"The class was great...I loved the topics. Enjoyed the tours. Very nice to put everything together."
—Deborah, NIOSH, Cincinnati, Ohio

"I learned a lot about HVAC systems and will take that new knowledge and apply it to outfitting and preparing lab spaces for new PIs."
—Pete, Assistant Dean for Facilities, University of Wisconsin, Madison

James Braddock

James R. Braddock, AIA, FAIA joined Mitchell/Giurgola Architects in 1982, became an Associate in 1987 and a Partner in 1996. At the firm Mr. Braddock works primarily on academic institutional and research projects, notably those of the greatest technical complexity and often involving renovations to occupied spaces and requiring phasing. Jim was the Principal in charge for many science laboratory projects in New York City at Columbia University and the CU Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York University and NYU School of Medicine. He is registered in the States of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland, a member of the AIA Science and Research Committee, and a LEED Accredited Professional. Jim has spoken at Laboratory Design, Tradeline and SCUP conferences on sustainability issues in laboratories and renovations to academic science buildings. Mr. Braddock earned his Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, and a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University.

Peter Heaslett

Peter J. Heaslett, PE recently moved to Affiliated Engineers, Inc., a large consulting firm in Madison Wisconsin. Prior to that, he worked as a Project Manager with Capital Planning & Development at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In his 20 years at UW, Pete has collaborated on significant laboratory projects including the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, the Wisconsin Energy Institute, the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, the Microbial Sciences Building, the Biochemistry Building, and the Chemistry Building. Pete received his Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree from Penn State University.

Steven Kenah

Steven J. Kenah, PE, CEM is a Principal at Loring Consulting Engineers, Inc. and has over 20 years of experience in the design of HVAC systems for laboratories, data centers and other high technology facilities. Steve has been the lead engineer on dozens of higher education research facilities including numerous complex multi-phase renovation projects. Steve has collaborated on projects that have won awards from the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and Engineering News-Record (ENR) including net zero energy projects and projects that meet the Living Building Challenge. Steve is a registered engineer in 12 states and is a member of the New York City Mechanical Code Committee. Steve received his Bachelors in Architectural Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and his Masters in Management of Technology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Robert Klein

Robert Klein, MS, CIH is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) with three decades of experience in the allied environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) fields. Most of his professional career has been with R&D, educational, and healthcare facilities. Rob has led hundreds of applied EH&S research projects, focusing on improving laboratory safety, ventilation, appropriate energy conservation, and sustainability. Rob is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences, and has a significant record of peer-reviewed publications. Recent work has focused on laboratory ventilation assessments, control of formaldehyde in anatomical dissection, noise control, and legacy biological materials. He is currently the principal of Coastal Safety, LLC, an EHS consultancy in Connecticut, and a Lecturer at the Yale School of Medicine.

Mark Malkin

Mark P. Malkin, PE, is a program director in the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs in the College of Engineering at UW-Madison. He is a registered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in university facilities project management and HVAC systems design. His course offerings include HVAC, plumbing and fire protection fundamentals, building code reviews, and design and operation of science labs, data centers, museums and libraries. Mark received his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and his MS in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison.

Ben Weiler

Ben Weiler, CIH, REHS, is an Industrial Hygienist with the Environmental & Occupational Health Unit at UW- Madison. Ben specializes in local exhaust ventilation system testing and commissioning, and he manages the laboratory fume hood performance testing program at UW–Madison.