Before You Lease Laboratory Space

The most important thing to consider when shopping for lab space, is whether the zoning laws will permit your proposed activities. Make sure to do careful research, taking into consideration all of your immediate R&D and future production activities, to be sure the proper licenses can be obtained, laws permitting. This includes permits for fumehood emissions, storage and use of radioisotopes, and full-scale production.

Does the space have sufficient facilities built-in, or will you have to construct some yourself? Plan to have enough benches, sinks, and fumehoods for all your existing R&D staff to work comfortably. Ensure there are hot rooms, cold rooms, and walk-in refrigerators or freezers, if you need them. If they aren't already there, is there enough space to add them and will the landlord allow major renovations? It's also very important to have a backup generator so valuable samples and cultures are not lost in case of a power failure.

Adding fumehoods to a building can become quite costly, never mind the frustration during hot summers and cold winters, if the existing ventilation system is not built to handle the additional loss of internal air pressure. It's a good idea to have an expert in the field check out the whole system before planning any changes.

Consider how you will accommodate laboratory equipment you currently own or might purchase in the future. Steam lines for fermentation units and autoclaves might not be standard in a leased space. Also watch for suitable wiring and outlets for equipment with special voltage requirements. If the building has these provisions, watch how are they laid out. If your only steam source is on the first floor, but you plan to put your microbiology research laboratory on the second floor, and there is no elevator, how convenient is it going to be to carry trays containing flasks of hot liquids up the stairs every day?

Plan ahead for sufficient safety measures to comply with all the regulations of your trade. This means having plumbing for safety showers, sufficient fire doors, access to fire exits, and all the necessary alarm systems (fire, security, CO, etc.)

It might seems a bit silly, but if you do a lot of travel or have a lot of out-of-town guests, proximity to the airport and suitable accommodations for guests, might be a priority. Another consideration is whether there is a library nearby so R&D staff can access current literature as needed, assuming you haven't splurged on subscriptions to all the hottest journals.

In addition to the laboratory, ensure the building has sufficient staff facilities such as offices or work areas, lunch rooms, washrooms, parking and accommodations for disabilities. Some startups lease laboratory space and offices in separate buildings. You might find, however, that this is detrimental to productivity because of travel time and inconvenience. It increases the odds of forgetting a document or logbook at one location or another. Also, consider staff reactions to having to walk between buildings in inclement weather, or with a disability, or having to use personal vehicles to go back and forth.

Once you have established yourself in a new location, you most certainly won't want to move anytime soon, especially if you've invested money in renovations. Carefully read the terms of the lease and be sure your new landlord is as committed as you are to having you stay. Also, it's a given that you hope your new company will experience rapid growth. Make sure the location has reasonable room for extra equipment and staff, so you don't outgrow your new home too early.