1. Obtain a copy of NCCLS Document GP18-(something) Guidelines for 
Laboratory Design. This document is a wealth of information from 
appropriate lighting to countertop materials and lab ventilation. (provide 
a copy to your architect--they love this kind of reference material.)

2. Work closely with HVAC (Heating, ventilation and air conditioning) 
people and equipment manufacturers to place ventilation where it will be 
needed. Rely on true exhaust (fume hoods or downdraft tables) and not 
chemical filtration systems whenever possible.

3. Consult an ergonomist. Small things such as having seated height work 
stations for embedding and microtomy, not placing under-table drawers in 
knee spaces, designing microtomy workspaces so that technicians can rotate 
on a chair rather than lean to access ice tray, microtome and waterbath can 
be very important to the health and happiness of your technical staff.

4. Carefully analyze pluses and minuses of your current work space, then 
proceed to develop an ideal layout. You'll eventually have to compromise 
somewhere but having a target that is well thought-out always helps. Too 
often I have seen people just copy what they already have with a few 
modifications.

Hope this helps,
Bert Dotson



-----Original Message-----
From:	Karen LeClair [SMTP:Karen_LeClair@dahlchase.com]
Sent:	Friday, December 28, 2001 2:27 PM
To:	HistoNet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject:	lab renovations

Hello!
Our company is in the process of purchasing a new building for our
relocation.  I was wondering if there is anyone out there that has
renovated their histology laboratory recently that might have some
advice, comments, ect regarding what they did or should have done, both
positive and negative, about the renovations. We are very excited that
we will have a new laboratory built that will reflect our need for
growth and our work flow and we want to make sure we do it right.  Any
ideas or suggestions from anyone would be helpful.  Thank you for your
time.

Karen LeClair
Dahl-Chase Diagnostic Services
Bangor,  Maine 04401