Containerized laboratories, also known as modular labs or lab units, are prefabricated laboratories housed inside shipping containers or modular units. They provide an innovative solution for organizations that need flexible, mobile lab space.
Containerized labs offer many benefits compared to traditional built laboratories:
- Modularity – The labs are constructed offsite and then delivered ready to use. This allows for faster set up compared to traditional construction.
- Mobility – Since the labs are housed in standard shipping containers, they can be easily transported to different locations as needed. This mobility allows them to be deployed anywhere.
- Flexibility – The layouts can be customized to client specifications. Containers can be joined together to expand lab space. Labs can also be relocated or repurposed quickly.
- Speed – Containerized labs are a rapid way to establish fully functional lab space. They bypass lengthy construction timelines.
- Sustainability – They utilize existing shipping containers, giving these structures a second life. Their small footprint also reduces environmental impact.
Containerized labs provide an agile, adaptable lab solution suitable for diverse applications from education to research, healthcare services, emergency response, and more. Their modularity and mobility offer significant advantages over traditional lab builds.
Modularity
Pre-fabricated modular designs allow lab spaces to be configured in multiple ways. Containers can stack together into multi-story structures or spread out horizontally. Their interlocking nature means layouts can adapt as needs change. Standardized container sizes enable efficient scaling, while interchangeable components allow endless customization.
This modularity enables labs to reconfigure workflows, accommodate equipment, and rightsize operations. Modular components like wall panels, benches, and hoods simply plug into the container framework. Labs gain flexibility to rearrange, add, or remove sections on demand. Teams can reorganize spaces to improve efficiency, isolate hazards, or expand capacity. Whether a lab needs more fume hoods or biological safety cabinets, modular units make reconfiguration fast and affordable.
Mobility
Transporting and installing traditional laboratory infrastructure can be extremely challenging and costly. Laboratory buildings must be custom designed and built to meet the specialized needs of scientific research. This involves extensive construction projects that are not only expensive but can take months or years to complete. Once a traditional lab space is created, it is fixed in that location.
Containerized labs break free of these restrictions through mobility and relocatability. Rather than requiring purpose-built facilities, container labs can be quickly deployed by transporting the container to any site. This enables labs to be situated wherever they are needed, whether that’s closer to sample collection sites, emergencies, or communities in need. Containers can be efficiently moved between locations as priorities or projects change over time. Their transportability also aids rapid deployment for temporary surge needs, emergency response, and continuity of operations in a crisis. Overall, container labs deliver unmatched mobility and adaptability compared to conventional buildouts.
Flexibility
Containerized labs offer highly customizable and flexible interior layouts to meet a wide variety of needs. The modular interior walls can be shifted around to create different room configurations. Workbenches, sinks, storage cabinets, and technical equipment can be positioned however needed within the lab space. This allows each lab to be uniquely tailored for specific uses like biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and more. Labs can also change their layouts over time as needs evolve.
The mobility of the labs also provides flexibility in where they can be located and how they can be used. A school can set up container labs in different areas of their campus each year to support changing programs. Labs can also be transported and set up at temporary off-site locations for special projects, community outreach events, or to provide lab facilities where permanent buildings aren’t feasible. Events like science fairs and summer camps can utilize the adaptable labs.
Overall, the custom layouts and mobility of containerized labs empower schools, businesses, and organizations with the flexibility they need to get the most out of their lab facilities. The labs can be configured exactly how users want rather than being limited by fixed designs. This versatility expands the possibilities for innovative and effective use of lab spaces.
Speed
Containerized laboratories offer rapid deployment capabilities compared to traditional laboratory builds. Since the lab infrastructure is already assembled within the container, it can be operational nearly immediately upon delivery. This plug-and-play model allows labs to be set up in a fraction of the time of a conventional build.
As soon as the container arrives on site, minimal time is needed for connections to utilities like electricity, HVAC, and networking. With traditional labs, build-out requires extensive construction and customization which can take months or even years. Container labs skip this lengthy process, enabling experiments and research to begin promptly.
The mobility of the containers also aids speedy deployment. They can be transported by truck, rail, ship, or plane to reach even the most remote locations with ease. Whether setting up a temporary lab for a short-term project or responding to an urgent situation, containerized labs allow rapid response and implementation. Their accelerated launch enables faster time-to-market for research initiatives and life science projects.
Sustainability
Containerized laboratories are much more energy efficient compared to traditional laboratory buildings. Traditional labs require constant heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting across the entire space even when certain areas are not in use. This leads to a huge amount of wasted energy.
Container labs on the other hand allow for much more targeted and efficient energy usage. Containers can be outfitted with sensors and controls that only activate cooling, heating and ventilation when needed in a specific module. Lights and equipment can also be switched on and off only when required in each container. This minimizes energy waste dramatically.
In addition, the container structure itself provides excellent insulation to retain heating and cooling efficiently. purpose-built conventional labs often have less effective insulation leading to greater energy loss.
The modular nature of container labs also lends itself to renewable energy integration. Solar panels or wind turbines can easily be mounted right onto the containers to provide sustainable electricity. Batteries and smart energy management systems can also be incorporated to store and distribute the renewable energy in the most optimal way across the lab modules.
Overall, containerized labs represent a massive improvement in energy efficiency and sustainability compared to traditional laboratory buildings. With their modularity, targeted use of resources and renewable energy capabilities, container labs are the future of green lab spaces.
Cost
Containerized laboratories provide significant cost savings compared to traditional laboratory construction. The modular design means much of the construction and outfitting occurs offsite in a controlled factory environment. This reduces onsite construction time and complexity, lowering associated labor and material costs.
Prefabricated modular units with integrated MEP systems and finishes can reduce construction costs by 20-50% compared to building a comparable traditional laboratory space. There are no complex poured-in-place concrete superstructures to construct. Minimal onsite work is required to connect and integrate the modular units.
The mobility of containerized labs also saves on space costs. Units can be relocated as needs change, rather than constructing entirely new buildings. Laboratories can be situated in lower-cost areas and moved closer to target user populations as required.
Maintenance and operation costs are lower as well. The modular MEP systems integrate easily into central building utilities. Highly energy efficient and sustainable designs lower ongoing utility bills. Equipment can be serviced and replaced rapidly in the modular units. And labs can be reconfigured for new uses at a fraction of the cost of conventional reconstruction.
Overall, containerized laboratory facilities provide significant capital and operating cost advantages over traditional laboratory spaces. The flexibility, mobility, and modularity translate into major cost savings throughout the full life cycle of the laboratory.
Containerized Laboratories Scalability
Containerized laboratory solutions offer unmatched scalability compared to traditional laboratory setups. The modular nature of containers allows for seamless expansion or downsizing of operations.
Adding or removing containers lets you scale your lab capacity up or down to match evolving workflow needs. This scalability enables efficient utilization of resources and infrastructure. With a traditional buildout, you may end up with unused capacity if your needs decrease. Or you may encounter bottlenecks if your needs increase unexpectedly.
With a containerized lab, you can right-size your lab as business conditions change. Going from a few samples per day to hundreds or thousands is achievable by bringing more containerized lab units online. The reverse is also possible if volume decreases. This flexible scalability is a key benefit over fixed traditional labs.
Overall, containerized labs provide unparalleled scalability to cost-effectively meet your current and future laboratory needs. The modular container approach offers an agile solution to scale your operations in line with evolving workflow demands.
Containerized Laboratories Security
Containerized laboratories provide a secure environment for sensitive research and testing. All access points into the unit can be locked and secured, providing controlled access to authorized personnel only.
Doors, windows, and roof hatches can be locked with high-security measures like biometrics or keycard access. The exterior walls, roofing, and flooring are constructed with robust insulating materials that resist forced entry. Alarm systems and video surveillance can also be installed for additional monitoring of the lab space.
For hazardous or classified research, faraday cage shielding can be added to prevent electromagnetic emissions from escaping. Air filtration systems ensure no dangerous particles or pathogens are released. Waste and hazardous materials can be safely secured inside until proper disposal.
With container labs, sensitive intellectual property, materials, and equipment remain protected. Research progress stays confidential within the controlled space. This allows organizations to conduct critical research securely and privately, even in exposed or public settings.
Overall, the inherent compartmentalization of the shipping container structure makes containerized labs ideal for high-security applications. Clients can customize security features to create an impenetrable environment that keeps assets and information safe.
Containerized Laboratories Conclusion
Containerized laboratories provide numerous benefits for researchers, engineers, and scientists. By utilizing shipping containers as the structural basis, container labs deliver modularity, mobility, flexibility, speed, sustainability, cost savings, scalability, and security.
The modularity of container labs allows components to be easily swapped out or reconfigured as needed. Labs can be quickly transported and redeployed to new locations with minimal disruption. Container construction enables flexible room layouts tailored to specific workflows. Prefabrication accelerates lab deployment compared to traditional construction.
Container labs have a smaller environmental footprint than brick and mortar buildings. They offer significant cost savings on construction and operation. Additional units can be joined to scale up operations. And container labs provide physical security for sensitive research.
In summary, containerized labs provide the versatility and customization needed to support critical R&D initiatives. Their unique combination of benefits makes container laboratories an optimal solution for many organizations and use cases.
