Answers to Facility Issues: Sustainable "Green" Forensic Laboratory Design
By: Ken Mohr and Michael Cooper, P.E.
Issue: June/July 2006
Untitled Document
Sustainable “Green” Forensic Laboratory Design
Everyday the U.S. population is faced with the vast issue of energy reliability
and availability. Those who were affected by the “Blackout of 2003,” know
first hand the value of our natural resources. The absence of electricity and
water dramatically impacts every aspect of our lives. For that reason, protecting
and conserving our natural resources should be taken seriously.
Laboratories
are one of society’s major energy users and consumers of natural resources,
but that can be moderated by incorporating several different design strategies.
Within the forensic industry, we refer to sustainable, or “green,” design
to create laboratories that will endure the test of time and save energy.
Sustainable
design provides facility users with a comfortable, safe, healthy, and productive
environment while supporting a building infrastructure that enables the forensic
laboratory functions to be energy efficient. These energy efficient laboratories
meet the needs of today, without sacrificing future needs.
Forensic laboratories
consume considerable resources during various criminal investigations,
making sustainable design a challenge in these facilities. To overcome the
obstacles that diminish our natural resources, new forensic laboratory projects
incorporate
several sustainable design strategies. Many facilities also seek U.S. Green
Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™)
Certification. Fortunately, there are two excellent resources available to
help designers and owners achieve their goals.
Sustainability Guidelines
The first is LEED,™ The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council. This is a voluntary,
consensus-based national standard for developing high performance sustainable
buildings. The members of the U.S. Green Building Council that developed LEED™ represent
all facets of the building industry and are continuously updating the standard.
LEED™ standards are available not only for new construction and major
renovations, but for existing building and commercial interior projects. Additional
information on LEED™ is available at www.usgbc.org.
The second resource is the Environmental Performance Criteria for Laboratories
(EPC), jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and Department of Energy (DOE). EPC is an extension of the LEED™ rating
system, but focused on laboratory projects. EPC requirements are over and above
LEED™ because the environmental impact of laboratories is much greater
than that of an average building. Currently there is not a formal accreditation
process for the EPC. Additional information is available at www.epa.gov/labs21cen-tury.
Pressure mapping effectively separates non-lab space from the constant 100%
outside air requirements of lab space to minimize HVAC loads.
Strategies for Sustainability
After reviewing various LEED™ and EPC resources, many design approaches
and strategies will be apparent. When evaluating your laboratory’s specific
sustainable design strategies, we recommend only seeking those that will help
conserve natural resources without compromising performance, safety, and reliability.
This article focuses on strategies that can be incorporated without a significant
negative impact to the project’s schedule, budget, and design intent.
Human-centered design and full energy and daylighting simulation
are strategies that can help create a superior quality work environment, and
at the same time, significantly reduce the total energy cost.
The Philadelphia Forensic Science Laboratory (right), takes advantage of the
inherent high ratio of glass at the exterior wall combined with ceiling geometries,
solar control, and high-reflectance interior finishes to achieve dramatic,
diffused deep daylighting. Lighting fixtures are installed parallel to the
exterior wall to allow lighting controls to automatically de-energize perimeter
zone fixtures when required lighting levels are achieved naturally.
Sustainable Sites
Encourage facility users to use alternative transportation. Locate the forensic
laboratory in close proximity to public transportation. Offer bicycle storage
and locker room facilities with showers. Provide preferred parking for those
that carpool and refueling stations for alternative
fuel vehicles. Refueling stations can be shared among neighboring facilities
to help offset the initial cost. If the facility uses an on-site fleet, consider
using alternative fuel vehicles, in lieu of gasoline.
Water Efficiency
A big part of water conservation deals with reducing potable water use. The
first step to reducing potable water in landscape irrigation is to choose
landscape materials and plantings that inherently require less water. Consider
using captured rainwater, recycled gray water, or eliminating a permanent
site irrigation system. Use low flow plumbing fixtures or waterless urinals
within the building sewage system.
Potable water use can also be limited
within the laboratory areas. First, avoid open loop cooling systems. This
is where water is used then directly discharged to the drain. Instead use
a closed loop systems where water is conditioned and re-circulated to minimize
wastewater. Second, only provide hot water at the sinks, benches, and fume
hoods when needed.
Energy and Atmosphere
First and foremost, design the forensic laboratory to comply with the American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE) 90.1 energy
standard. A number of states have already adopted this as their state energy
code.
Energy recovery is another strategy
that is often viable for forensic laboratories. For example, capture heat from
the lab exhaust and use it to preheat fresh (outside) air or capture waste
heat from a condenser water system and use it for domestic hot water heating.
Pay particular attention to part-load system efficiency. Since not all forensic
laboratory systems function simultaneously, the building systems operate in
a part-load condition most of the time. We select equipment with maximum efficiency
at this part-load condition so that we can better capitalize on the benefits
of higher operating efficiencies. When possible, use EPA Energy Star compliant
forensic laboratory equipment. Further, we “right size” mechanical
and electrical equipment by avoiding oversized systems and excessive safety
factors.
Commissioning
One of the keys to superior forensic laboratory performance is commissioning.
Include a commissioning agent as part of the design and construction team
to verify that the building is designed, constructed, and functions in accordance
with the owner’s requirements. Many times energy reductions are not
achieved because of the lack of a comprehensive commissioning program. For
example, a control valve that is not calibrated properly may still function
well enough for the system to operate without a “fault” alarm.
However, the system will never achieve the level of operating efficiency
expected and will unnecessarily waste energy.
Health and Safety
Consider variable volume supply and exhaust air systems, which allow you to
reduce air volumes during unoccupied hours. Keep in mind that variable volume
systems are not appropriate for all forensic laboratories. When airflow is
driven by minimum air change rates (rather than cooling load or fume hood
makeup air requirements), it may not be possible to reduce airflow. In these
cases, constant volume systems should be considered.
It is also important
to evaluate forensic laboratory fume hood requirements and reduce the quantity
and size when possible. Snorkels and re-circulated cabinets are excellent
ways to provide local exhaust (with lower airflow rates) and often result
in a more effective exhaust system because of the proximity to the source
of contamination.
Indoor Environmental Quality
Design the laboratory to comply with the ASHRAE 62 standard for ventilation
and indoor air quality. This standard primarily pertains to non-laboratory
spaces. Remember that the forensic laboratory operation and maintenance staff
will spend a considerable amount of time in these areas.
Also, consider demand
based ventilation control via carbon dioxide (CO2 ) monitoring. This enables
the optimization of outside air intake based on actual building occupancy
rather than speculative values. In the right circumstances, CO2 can be
an excellent indicator of occupancy.
Specify low volatile organic compound (VOC) construction materials, to
reduce irritating or harmful effects of residual VOC emissions. This would
include
materials such as sealants, adhesives, paint, and carpet. A post construction
(pre-occupancy) two-week flush prepares the building for occupancy by removing
any unavoidable VOCs
from new building materials and/or construction debris.
Planning and Design
Minimize critical environment areas such as hazardous storage, spaces requiring
specific environmental control, and areas with unique noise and vibration
requirements. These types of areas require dedicated support systems and
are square foot dependent. Meaning, as these spaces become larger, the supporting
building systems also become larger, using more energy.
Displacement ventilation is a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
(HVAC) strategy where supply air is introduced at low pressure through
grilles at
floor level. The air is displaced in the breathing zone. As it is pushed
up, it is removed at ceiling level. Displacement ventilation should be
evaluated
as a viable alternative because it can be a very low energy high indoor air
quality system.
Forensic laboratories are always changing. Design for flexibility. Changes
may even come up before the original design is completed. Infrastructure
systems should be readily expandable. Central energy stations and regional
energy plants
work well for laboratories seeking flexibility and adaptability. Provide
utility service distribution from perimeter locations to enable easier
laboratory enhancements
and equipment relocations.
Conclusion
Most, if not all, forensic laboratories are extensions of city, county, state,
or federal governments and require sustainable practice. Aside from their
focus to protect and enhance our society, they also have the responsibility
of conserving our natural resources. As planners, designers, constructors,
directors, and users we must recognize the possibilities available to achieve
these important objectives. Whatever your goals are, seek partners with forensic
laboratory and sustainable design experience. This is the best way to meet
not only today’s needs, but future changes while conserving our natural
resources.
Ken Mohr is a Principal and Sr. Forensic Laboratory Planner with HERA, Inc.,
laboratory consulting partner firm in Crime Lab Design. His 17 years of experience
with advanced laboratories includes nearly 4 million square feet of forensic
facilities.
Ken can be reached at kmohr@herainc.com
Michael Cooper is a Principal and Senior Mechanical Engineer with Harley Ellis
Devereaux, architecture and engineering partner firm in Crime Lab Design. He
has 17 years of experience in the design and management of technology based
building projects, including a multitude of forensic laboratory facilities.
Michael can be reached at mikec@crimelabdesign.com
