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A typical office may have a live load capacity of around 3-4kN/m.2. , while a lab will often require 4-5kN/m.

2. , with some specialised equipment reaching over 20kN/m.Labs will also require additional suspended services and potentially new HVAC or utility plant in the refurbished office space or on the roof, meaning a wider building assessment is necessary.Additionally, some lab operations can be extremely vibration sensitive, and a lightweight steel-framed office might not be the best starting point..

Potential solutions include spacing and arranging lab equipment or storage to better distribute loads or reduce vibrations (e.g.by placing sensitive equipment near grids and cores), introducing new steelwork, converting ground-floor units or older, sturdier buildings, or localised solutions such as spreader plates, analytical benches, and even active dampening systems..

Lab fit-out in a building originally intended for office use.

Fume cabinets installed as part of a biotech lab fit out in an existing office.This will simplify design and construction in the long-run, and will often expose hidden defects or complications (see below.)

Raised access floors will also ideally be sealed or removed to minimise future sources of contamination.For the lab fit-out itself, appropriate finishes must of course be selected, and this will be based on a wide-range of criteria such as cleaning material compatibility.. 10.

Defects.. Hidden defects in existing office buildings can add unexpected cost and delay to lab conversion projects..Existing offices, like all buildings, will almost always harbour some latent issues that will add complication during design or construction.