{"id":37907,"date":"2023-02-21T13:47:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T21:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mygreenlab.org\/?p=37907"},"modified":"2025-08-04T17:24:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T00:24:59","slug":"leveraging-the-equipment-list-for-sustainable-lab-operations-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mygreenlab.org\/zh-hans\/the-beaker-blog\/leveraging-the-equipment-list-for-sustainable-lab-operations-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Leveraging the Equipment List for Sustainable Lab Operations & Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n \n \n

Written by JacobsWyper Architects<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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If you\u2019ve ever been involved in a laboratory renovation project, had your lab relocated, or been involved with lab management, you\u2019ve most likely needed to prepare or participate in preparing a\u00a0laboratory equipment list;\u00a0<\/strong>a\u00a0list noting all your equipment by manufacturer, model, power requirements, utility requirements, location, and which lab group or department operates the equipment or might share it with other labs. Typically, the list is created in excel and usually gets very long, as it can contain anywhere from an individual lab\u2019s equipment to an entire department or even an entire company. \u00a0The equipment list can be a valuable tool for both the scientific team and the design team. However, the key is knowing how to leverage it.<\/p>\n

\u200bFor an architectural and engineering team, the list provides the basis for lab bench space, temperature and humidity requirements, air cleanliness, electrical and plumbing infrastructure, and more. Any architect or engineer that works in the Science & Tech Sector will quickly realize that managing spreadsheets and organizing critical data is crucial for the design process, especially when it comes to equipment. Equipment (laboratory or process) is often the driver for environmental conditions and space requirements \u2013 the humble excel equipment list is an important (and time-consuming) part of every project. Sometimes existing equipment is relocated from one project to another, but more often than not scientific teams are purchasing new equipment to fit out a space as they expand the scope of their capabilities or are requiring new equipment.<\/p>\n

The exciting part of our work at JacobsWyper is that we get a glimpse into how different Science & Tech clients organize their information each time we request and receive an equipment list. And, you guessed it, everyone does it differently. Having been inspired by the work of My Green Lab and other Science & Tech sustainable leaders in the industry,\u00a0we have been thinking about how we might leverage our humble equipment lists to help contribute to sustainable lab design.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve asked ourselves how the\u00a0My Green Lab Certification<\/a>\u00a0could help positively influence the collection of lab equipment information by scientific teams for the development of laboratory equipment lists to allow for more sustainable lab operations. How can these lists aid in planning for the equipment, the design of new spaces, and client education around new lab equipment procurement? Below, we’ve compiled 6 tips for\u00a0the development of an equipment list\u00a0that allows for more sustainable lab operations.<\/p>\n

1. Avoid the duplicate purchase of energy-consuming equipment<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Why?<\/em>\u00a0One function of the equipment list and its visibility would be to help the scientific team reduce duplication of energy intensive pieces of equipment. Planning can inform design, perhaps facilitating the development of core facilities or shared resources where there weren\u2019t any before. Of course, some equipment will need to be duplicated depending on usage and scientific requirements. For instance, every lab might need its own drying oven, or their own PCR machines, water baths, and incubators. But perhaps autoclaves, microscopes with lasers, high-throughput sequencing equipment, mass spec facilities, x-ray, or other radiation equipment could be used more collaboratively to save money, save square footage, and reduce energy use.<\/p>\n

2. Ensure sustained power supply<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Why?<\/em>\u00a0An accurate equipment list can help designers ensure redundant power systems in areas that need it are put on backup power generation, e.g.,\u00a0equipment rooms with cold storage.\u00a0What else on the equipment list needs uninterrupted or backup power? Preventing catastrophic equipment failures is part of sustainability, too \u2013 avoiding the need to repeat experiments and spend additional money to re-do things.<\/p>\n

3. Identify equipment power options and usage schedule<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Why?<\/em>\u00a0Most of the time lab equipment needs to be running or in standby mode to support the work of the lab, but often times equipment is only used for a specific purpose and then can be turned off. Consider asking the following about your equipment usage to determine if there are opportunities to reduce equipment usage, runtimes, and energy.<\/p>\n