Ensuring Safety, Efficiency and Compliance in Modern Laboratory Facilities

Enhanced Commissioning

Enhanced commissioning is a significant evolution from traditional commissioning practices. It goes beyond basic commissioning requirements ensuring that building systems are constructed, tested and commissioned as designed. It includes actions like detailed system integration testing, cross-system dependency verification, interface testing between different systems and failure mode analysis and recovery testing.

The goals of enhanced commissioning extend beyond mere functionality, confirming system performance under various conditions. This results in optimised operational efficiency, improved energy use and improved long-term reliability through failure prevention strategies and consistent performance. Examples of enhanced commissioning for BSL3/PC3 lab exhaust systems include:

• Exhaust HEPA Filter Loading testing determines what the maximum pressure drop the HEPA filter can achieve in the associated system. It can increase the life of the filter compared to the recommended change out point provided by the filter supplier.

• Exhaust Fan System Performance testing determines the available spare capacity of the exhaust fan to maintain its commissioned value as the HEPA filter increases in pressure drop or loading. Any additional filter loading may then impact the exhaust airflow, and subsequently, the room or facility pressures. Exhaust fans can then be better tuned for better operating efficiencies.

• Control System Warning and Alarm Points testing allow building management system (BMS) warning and alarm points to be implemented for high differential HEPA filter status to assist facility management in scheduling filter change-over. This can lead to reduce costs.

Verification

Verification is a documented process showing compliance with design and correct implementation during construction and commissioning as well as assessing systems and equipment performance at specific limits and single point failure modes.

Critical system verification ensures the performance and compliance of systems such as building services, security, access control, emergency power biological safety cabinet systems, building management systems, waste and facility decontamination systems and emergency systems.

Verification documentation includes various documents like installation records, operational testing results and compliance certificates like certificates of construction compliance and results of failure mode tests. Verification procedures can vary according to your facility type and importance levels. Examples of verification procedures for containment laboratories include the following:

• PC/BSL1 Facilities involve basic containment verification, validation of standard operating procedures and testing of safety equipment functionality.

• PC/BSL2 Facilities include enhanced containment testing, verification of decontamination protocols and validation of advanced safety systems.

• PC/BSL3 and PC/BSL4 Facilities entail maximum security verification, comprehensive isolation testing, validation of advanced decontamination procedures and extensive emergency systems testing.

Post Occupancy Optimisation

The main goal is to assess and refine operations to ensure the best facility performance during the Defects Liability Period (DLP). It involves refining building services performance based on gathered and analysed operational data over the first six to 12 months of the facility’s life activities.

Post occupancy optimisation typically occurs in three phases:

• Initial Operation (Months 1-3): Basic system monitoring, data collection initiation and preliminary adjustment identification.

• Analysis Phase (Months 4-8): Recognising data patterns, analysing performance trends and showing improvement opportunities.

• Optimisation Phase (Months 9-12): Implementing system modifications, refining control algorithms and verifying performance.

Key optimisation areas include environmental controls, energy systems improvements and safety systems refinements.

The integration of enhanced commissioning, verification and post occupancy optimisation creates a robust framework for ensuring laboratory and cleanroom facilities excellence. These processes, although complex and resource-intensive, are essential investments. Success in maintaining high-performance laboratories and cleanrooms requires a continuous commitment to these processes.

The long-term benefits of implementing these comprehensive processes include improved facility safety and reliability, enhanced operational efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, extended equipment lifespan, consistent regulatory compliance, better resource use and increased user satisfaction and productivity.

As laboratory and cleanroom facilities continue to evolve and advance, the importance of these processes will only grow. They are indispensable components in the management and operation of modern laboratories and cleanrooms.