Modeling Laboratory Design: An Integrated Process

Garrick Maine, Flad & Associates,
Steve Frei, PE, Affiliated Engineers, Inc., and
Walter Schwarz, Fluent, Inc.

Abstract:

The basic energy challenge confronting laboratory designers is the high cost of conditioning huge volumes of ventilation air needed for lab safety. Default standards that have evolved based upon past "best practices" involving air velocities and air change rates rarely represent optimal solutions to the special challenges presented by diversity of laboratories and their support spaces.

High performance laboratories require an integrated design process. Current analytical software can be bundled to provide enhanced environmental design. The proposed presentation demonstrates an effective combination of 3D AutoCAD, CFD and DOE2 modeling in the design of an immunology laboratory suite.

By importing AutoCAD DXF files into CFD software, visualization of airflow patterns identify potential disruptive airflow near fume hoods and biosafety cabinets as well as areas of poor ventilation. Simulations of accidental spill scenarios reveal air-efficient dispersion patterns and provide the visual and analytical feedback necessary to reduce ventilation rates without compromising lab safety.

Energy savings resulting from optimized airflow are combined with other energy efficiency strategies and quantified as part of a detailed DOE2.1 analysis that itemizes individual strategies costs as well as aggregate annual energy use and cost savings.

Biography:

Garrick Maine is a registered architect with an architectural degree from the University of Wisconsin-SARUP. He's been with Flad & Associates since 1979 and has over 25 years of experience ranging from facility planning to conceptual and detailed design on a variety of building types including offices and commercial, hospitals, clinics, laboratories and mixed-use structures.

As an advocate of environmental design Garrick is Flad's representative to the U.S. Green Building Council, the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance and member of the Board of Directors of WasteCap Wisconsin, a non-profit organization promoting responsible waste management practices. He has been involved with several sustainable design projects within Flad including: Pharmacia Building Q, a discovery chemistry laboratory in Skokie, Illinois (recipient of a LEED™ Gold rating); the AEI Office Building in Madison, Wisconsin ; the Harley-Davidson PDC in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; the Overture Project, a performing arts building in Madison; an office building for Connecticut Innovations in Rocky Hill, Connecticut; and a vaccine laboratory for Wyeth in Pearl River, New York.

Steven G. Frei, P.E. has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin and is currently a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Wisconsin, California, Ohio and Colorado. Mr. Frei is currently employed by Affiliated Engineers, Inc. as Principal of the Research & Development Division.

Mr. Frei has extensive experience designing mechanical systems for research and testing facilities. This experience includes the design of new facilities and renovation of existing structures. As Principal of Affiliated Engineers' research and development (R&D) division, Mr. Frei has managed all aspects of mechanical, electrical and piping (MEP) systems design for projects including Pharmacia Building Q Skokie IL, Chiron Corporation - Emeryville, CA and USDA Ames, IA. Mr. Frei is a noted author and lecturer on the design of research facilities.

Recent Activities:

• Speaker - "Top 10 Energy Conservation Opportunities" IFMA R&D and EHS Spring Conference (2002)
• Speaker - "Campus and Building Energy Cost Reduction Initiatives - Strategies that Work" - Tradeline (2002)
• Speaker - "Reduced Velocity Fume Hoods" - Tradeline, (2001)
• Speaker - "Animal Facility Design & Technology" - AALAS National Meeting, (2001, 2000)

Professional Societies: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, & Air Conditioning Engineers; American Association for Laboratory Animal Science; International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE)

Walter Schwarz has a B.S. in engineering science from the Pennsylvania State University, an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. He has over 20 years of experience in the areas of flow modeling, heat transfer, and turbulence.

Walter Schwarz is currently employed by Fluent Inc. as the HVAC Industry Manager and Airpak Product Manager. He is currently working on delivering airflow modeling solutions to
the HVAC industry related to ventilation system performance with respect to indoor air quality, thermal comfort, health & safety, and contamination control. He is actively involved with several ASHRAE technical committees and is currently vice-chairman of ASHRAE TC4.10 Indoor Environmental Modeling.