HVAC: Labs and research facilities

Labs and research facilities house sensitive equipment and must maintain very rigid standards. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in particular require careful planning and design. Most labs require the HVAC system to be fully exhausted, requiring high levels of outside air. Topics such as air change rates, pressure relationships, relative humidity, low-temperature design, energy savings and cross-contamination will be touched on. Many labs require specialized, unique systems such as fume hoods, purge systems and containment solutions. A review of these will be included in the discussion.