Introduction to Science Lab Building Systems

Day 1

Welcome and Introduction

Planning and Architectural Considerations

• Codes and standards
• Needs analysis
  • Data sheets & equipment lists
• Program elements
  • Lab & lab support spaces
• Lab bench design
• Biology labs
  • Autoclaves, environmental rooms, microscopes
• Chemistry labs
  • Fume hoods, chemical storage, specifications
• Physics labs
  • Optics tables, overhead service carriers, cryogens 

Environmental Health and Safety

• Background and brief history
• Laboratory hazards and stresses
• Regulatory framework
• Common types of laboratories
• Waste management
• Controlling laboratory hazards
• Emergency systems and equipment
• Emerging Issues 

Laboratory Ventilation

• Laboratory ventilation basics
• Focus on local exhaust devices 
  • Chemical fume hoods
  • Biological safety cabinets
  • Glove boxes
  • Research animal equipment
  • Snorkels and storage cabinets
• Testing and modelling
• Some energy conservation issues 

Day 2

Chemical Fume Hood Performance Testing 

• Testing of ventilation systems
• Hood ventilation configurations
• ASHRAE Standard 110 – 2016
• Measuring face velocity
• VAV response test
• Airflow visualization
• Tracer gas testing
• Containment problems
• Fume hood testing at WID 

HVAC Criteria and Psychrometrics 

• Relevant lab standards and guidelines
• HVAC design goals and design criteria
• Use of a psychrometric chart
  • Properties of moist air
  • Sensible and latent heat
• Classification of laboratory ventilation design levels
  • Laboratory airflow control system (LACS) 

Air Handling and Air Distribution 

• Air exchange rate and fume hoods
• Laboratory airflow and ventilation
• Air handling system types
• Ductwork layout and distribution
• Noise, vibration, and filtration 

Exhaust, Controls, and Energy 

• General exhaust
  • Fans and ductwork
• Fume hood exhaust
  • Discharge location
  • Dispersion analysis
• Specialized exhaust
  • Radio-isotope
  • Perchloric acid
  • Process exhaust
• Pressurization controls
• Piping systems
• Energy use in laboratories
• Energy conservation measures
• Controls and commissioning 

Day 3

UW-Madison Lab Buildings

• Case studies
  • Microbial Sciences Building
  • Biochemical Sciences Building
  • Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research
  • Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery (WID)
  • Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI)
• Site tour on campus of WEI 

Plumbing and Fire Protection

• Codes, standards, and references
• Plumbing
  • Eyewash and emergency showers
  • RO / DI and purified water
  • Vacuum pumps
  • Special lab waste
• Fire protection
  • Smoke detectors and alarms
  • Wet, dry, and pre-action sprinklers
  • Alternate suppression systems 

Registration Date/Time:
4/13/2027 8:00am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 4/13/2027  8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/14/2027  8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 4/15/2027  8:30am - 4:00pm Central Time

• Instructors

  James Braddock

  Partner

  James R. Braddock, AIA, FAIA joined Mitchell/Giurgola Architects in 1982, became an Associate in 1987 and a Partner in 1996. At the firm Mr. Braddock works primarily on academic institutional and research projects, notably those of the greatest technical complexity and often involving renovations to occupied spaces and requiring phasing. Jim was the Principal in charge for many science laboratory projects in New York City at Columbia University and the CU Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York University and NYU School of Medicine. He is registered in the States of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland, a member of the AIA Science and Research Committee, and a LEED Accredited Professional. Jim has spoken at Laboratory Design, Tradeline and SCUP conferences on sustainability issues in laboratories and renovations to academic science buildings. Mr. Braddock earned his Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, and a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University.

  Mark Malkin

  Program Director and Teaching Faculty

  Mark P. Malkin, PE, is a program director in the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs in the College of Engineering at UW-Madison. He is a registered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in university facilities project management and HVAC systems design. His course offerings include HVAC, plumbing and fire protection fundamentals, building code reviews, and design and operation of science labs, data centers, museums and libraries. Mark received his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and his MS in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison.

  Robert Klein

  Principal

  Robert Klein, MS, CIH is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) with three decades of experience in the allied environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) fields. Most of his professional career has been with R&D, educational, and healthcare facilities. Rob has led hundreds of applied EH&S research projects, focusing on improving laboratory safety, ventilation, appropriate energy conservation, and sustainability. Rob is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences, and has a significant record of peer-reviewed publications. Recent work has focused on laboratory ventilation assessments, control of formaldehyde in anatomical dissection, noise control, and legacy biological materials. He is currently the principal of Coastal Safety, LLC, an EHS consultancy in Connecticut, and a Lecturer at the Yale School of Medicine.

  Peter Heaslett

  Peter J. Heaslett, PE recently moved to Affiliated Engineers, Inc., a large consulting firm in Madison Wisconsin. Prior to that, he worked as a Project Manager with Capital Planning & Development at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In his 20 years at UW, Pete has collaborated on significant laboratory projects including the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, the Wisconsin Energy Institute, the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, the Microbial Sciences Building, the Biochemistry Building, and the Chemistry Building. Pete received his Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree from Penn State University.

  Steven Kenah

  Principal

  Steven J. Kenah, PE, CEM is a Principal at Loring Consulting Engineers, Inc. and has over 20 years of experience in the design of HVAC systems for laboratories, data centers and other high technology facilities. Steve has been the lead engineer on dozens of higher education research facilities including numerous complex multi-phase renovation projects. Steve has collaborated on projects that have won awards from the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and Engineering News-Record (ENR) including net zero energy projects and projects that meet the Living Building Challenge. Steve is a registered engineer in 12 states and is a member of the New York City Mechanical Code Committee. Steve received his Bachelors in Architectural Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and his Masters in Management of Technology from the University of Pennsylvania.

  Ben Weiler

  Industrial Hygienist

  Ben Weiler, CIH, REHS, is an Industrial Hygienist with the Environmental & Occupational Health Unit at UW- Madison. Ben specializes in local exhaust ventilation system testing and commissioning, and he manages the laboratory fume hood performance testing program at UW–Madison.

• Program Director

  Mark Malkin