Design Guidelines
Macquarie University Property
Space types

Teaching lab - wet and damp

Space description

Wet and damp laboratories are specialised spaces for both teaching and research activities in a variety of sciences that involve the use of water, chemicals or other liquids therefore requiring water supply, drainage fittings and associated services.

Wet and damp Laboratories are used in the following sciences:

  • Chemistry based sciences
  • Biology and molecular sciences
  • Materials sciences
  • Earth sciences
  • Engineering sciences including computing, robotics, mechatronics and electronics
  • Human sciences
  • Physics.

Wet and damp laboratories may be required by the ‘project brief’ to meet various physical containment levels which will impact the planning, design, services and necessary adjacent support spaces for the laboratory.

PC1 is the minimum containment standard required by Macquarie University for any wet or damp laboratory. Higher physical containment levels such as PC2, PC3 and PC4 are only required when specifically nominated in the ‘project brief’.

Adjacencies

Wet and damp laboratories must have direct access to suitably designed wet and damp preparation and storage facilities. For further information, please click on the links below.

Wet Lab Preparation

Wet Lab Store

Damp Lab Preparation

Damp Lab Store

Wet and Damp Laboratories may require good access to all or some of the following additional support spaces depending upon their specific function and as nominated in the ‘project brief’ as shown below.

Chemical Store

Apparatus Store

Design Controls

Entry Zone

Wet and damp laboratories must have an associated or integrated entry zone containing the following specific Macquarie University Property design preferences:

  • A wall mounted phone set 1050mm above floor, with 150mm clearance all round
  • Wall mounted coat hooks – one per student and staff member to briefed capacity – as a minimum installation for all wet and damp laboratories unless a specialist gowning area is required by the ‘project brief’ or for compliance with relevant biosecurity standards
  • Wall mounted glove dispenser if required by the ‘project brief’
  • Wall mounted handbasin, paper towel dispenser and waste bin
  • Wall mounted liquid soap dispenser
  • Safety showers are required to meet the relevant Australian Standards, however should not be located in the entry zone or other egress areas to avoid spillage to floors in egress areas
  • Safety Station which includes the following Information:
    • Chemical list for all chemicals used in the laboratory
    • Gas list for all gases used in the laboratory
    • A material safety data sheet (MSDS) for all relevant chemicals
    • Safety signage as required by the relevant Australian Standards.

Australian Standards – All Wet and Damp Laboratories

The wet and damp laboratory design must comply with the current editions of all relevant Australian Standards for Laboratory Design, Construction and Safety.

Please refer to the Reference Schedule of Current Australian Standards for Laboratory Design (21 August 2019 Rev 01)

Australian Standards –Wet and Damp Laboratories requiring Controlled Environments

Where the Project Brief nominates specific controlled environments, then the wet and damp laboratory design must also comply with the current editions of all relevant Australian Standards for controlled environments and the specific Australian Standards for chemicals or substances to be used in the laboratory that are set out in the ‘project brief’.

Please refer to the Reference Schedule of Current Australian Standards for Laboratory Design (21 August 2019 Rev 01)

Design Standards – Wet and Damp Laboratories requiring BioSecurity Controls

Where the ‘project brief’ contains biosecurity controls, then the design must comply with the current edition of all relevant statutory controls including but not limited to the following:

Design Standards-Wet and Damp Laboratories containing Laboratory Animals

Where the Project Brief contains Laboratory Animals then the design must comply with the current edition of all relevant statutory controls including but not limited to the following:

Project Brief

The Project Brief provides specific directions on the following items and the planning and detailed design of Wet and Damp Laboratory Spaces must incorporate and satisfy all Project Brief requirements:

  • Whether the laboratory is for teaching or research
  • The number of occupants proposed – student numbers if teaching and researcher numbers if research
  • The nominated laboratory manager
  • The physical containment level required
  • Any specific controlled environments required
  • Whether the laboratory is to be subject to biosecurity controls
  • Whether the Laboratory involves the care or use of animals
  • Whether a separate gowning area is required
  • The detailed usage proposed, the laboratory processes involved and the relevant equipment that is to be installed in the laboratory
  • The chemicals and gases that are required
  • Non standard services that are required including RO water, process cooling or similar services
  • Any known required adjacent support spaces or functional links to other laboratories
  • Any required access to existing support spaces.

Project Brief Template

The design brief template for wet and damp laboratories is to be used as a guide when considering the design of a new or refurbished wet and damp laboratory.

Components

Building fabric

The following building fabric elements must comply with the Design Guidelines for wet and damp laboratory spaces:

  • Internal Walls
  • Floors
  • Ceilings
  • Windows
  • Doors.

Further information can be accessed at Building Fabrics General.

Fixtures

The following fixtures must be selected and specified to comply with the relevant Macquarie University Property Design Guidelines for Laboratory Fixtures and Fittings:

  • Laboratory sinks
  • Fume cupboards
  • Safety cabinets
  • Laboratory benches and associated Storage Cupboards
  • Sanitary fixtures
  • Laboratory fixtures including safety shower and eyewash
  • Laser curtains and safety systems.

Furniture

The following furniture items must be selected and specified to comply with the Guidelines for Laboratory Furniture:

  • Chairs
  • Laboratory Stools
  • Door Entry Mats
  • Magnetic or Glass Whiteboards
  • Pinboards
  • Projection Screens
  • AV Monitors
  • Digital Lecterns
  • Flammable Liquids storage cupboards
  • Corrosive Materials Storage Cupboards
  • Toxic Materials Storage Cupboards.

Further information can be accessed at Furniture.

Fittings

The following fittings must be selected and specified to comply with the Design Guidelines for Laboratory Fittings:

  • Window blinds
  • Door signage
  • Wayfinding signage
  • Safety signage
  • Blackout curtains

Services

Services to wet and damp laboratory spaces must be designed to comply with the Design Guidelines for laboratories.

Note: All water used in laboratories must be non-potable. Where potable water is provided in laboratories for specific purposes such as animal water supply or other testing or experimental purposes the potable supply must be fitted with a reduced pressure zone (RPZ ) or non-return valve to protect the mains potable water supply form contamination.

Commissioning

Commissioning of wet and damp laboratory spaces must be completed in accordance with the Design Guideline standards including the provision of as built documentation complying with the Macquarie Property template.

Commissioning for wet and damp laboratories must include a written acceptance of the completed facility by the Laboratory Manager, as nominated by Macquarie University Property.