800-680-1220 / +1 651-490-2860 (US) All locations

TSI.com (0)

Life Sciences

|

Software

Service

Contact

TSI.com
(0)

Menu

Accuracy and Reliability of Experimental Results

Lab Monitoring and Control

Laboratories are important in the life sciences, often housing hazardous materials that require meticulous monitoring and control. Ensuring the safety of lab personnel, the integrity of experiments, and energy efficiency are top priorities in laboratory environments. Effective laboratory monitoring and control systems help maintain optimal temperature, humidity, and air quality while reducing operating costs. By leveraging advanced Variable Air Volume (VAV) control strategies, labs can meet stringent safety requirements and achieve energy efficiency.

Optimal Airflow Control for Lab Safety

Laboratories rely on precise airflow control to minimize the spread of contaminants. VAV systems adjust airflows in real-time, maintaining the right balance between supply and exhaust air. This ensures that laboratory spaces remain under negative pressure compared to adjacent areas, preventing harmful substances from escaping. Advanced control options, such as flow tracking with pressure feedback, offer enhanced safety, particularly in high-risk or high-containment labs.

Energy-Efficient Ventilation Solutions

Given that laboratories typically consume six times more energy than office spaces, controlling ventilation is key to minimizing operating costs. VAV controls reduce airflows based on real-time demand, maintaining room pressure and temperature only as needed. This smart system leads to substantial energy savings compared to constant volume systems that operate 24/7. Furthermore, integrating energy-efficient terminal devices, such as SACV (Supply Air Control Valves), optimizes ventilation, lowering operating expenses.

Advanced Fume Hood Monitoring for Containment

Fume hoods are critical in protecting laboratory workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals. With VAV fume hood control strategies, air is only exhausted when necessary, based on sash position and user presence. Sidewall sensing controls, which detect changes in face velocity, offer the highest level of safety, ensuring real-time containment of hazardous substances and optimizing lab airflow.

Technical

Real Measurement Matters in Lab Controls

The use of chemicals and other potentially hazardous compounds separates laboratories from other types of building spaces. Keeping lab and building occupants safe must be the primary concern. Temperature and humidity control must be tightly controlled for occupant comfort and experiment integrity.

Laboratories typically have high ventilation, driven by fume hood exhaust flows and air change rates, to meet these concerns. But high ventilation causes high operating costs. In fact, laboratories use six times the energy of a similar office building. Energy-efficiency is of considerable importance to minimize operating costs.

Frequently asked questions

Q. How does VAV control work in fume hood alcoves?

In fume hood alcoves, VAV controls adjust airflows to maintain negative room balance, ensuring secondary containment. This saves energy by reducing excess airflow while maintaining lab safety. Read more

Q. What is the control strategy for open lab designs?

Open labs use VAV control to manage airflow and maintain negative room pressure. This ensures adequate ventilation for fume hoods, snorkels, and biosafety cabinets, while optimizing energy use. Read more

Q. How do enclosed labs maintain safety with VAV systems?

Enclosed labs use VAV controls to continuously monitor room balance and pressure. Negative pressure is maintained to ensure containment, while adjusting ventilation and temperature for comfort. Read more

Q. How do VAV systems manage airflow in teaching labs?

Teaching labs use VAV controls to maintain a stable room balance with frequently open doors. Fume hood exhaust ensures minimum ventilation, and the system adjusts temperature for comfort and safety. Read more

Q. What safety features are included in VAV control systems for labs?

VAV systems offer real-time monitoring of fume hood face velocity and room pressure, with best-in-class accuracy for air and pressure measurements to ensure safety and containment. Read more

Q. How do I ensure accurate environmental conditions in the lab?

Regularly calibrate and maintain your monitoring instruments, use reliable sensors for temperature, humidity, and air quality, and adhere to standard operating procedures for environmental control. Implement a robust data logging system to track conditions over time and address any deviations promptly.

Q. What should I do if there is a deviation from the set environmental parameters?

First, check for any malfunction or calibration issues with your monitoring equipment. Next, investigate potential causes for the deviation, such as equipment failures, external environmental factors, or human error. Correct the issue, document the incident, and review procedures to prevent future occurrences.

Q. How can I improve the efficiency of lab environmental controls?

Optimize the placement and calibration of sensors for better accuracy, automate control systems for real-time adjustments, and use data analytics to identify patterns or potential issues. Regularly review and update maintenance schedules to ensure all equipment operates at peak performance.

Driving Safety Through Efficient Lab Design

VAV Control Solutions for Various Lab Designs

Driving Safety Through Efficient Lab Design

VAV Control Solutions for Various Lab Designs

VAV control systems enhance lab safety by regulating airflow, temperature, and room balance while saving energy, with tailored solutions for fume hoods, open, enclosed, teaching, and high containment labs.

Read More