Increasing demands on floor systems for laboratories

(Copyright: Atelier Dirk Altenkirch, Karlsruhe)

(Copyright: BASF SE)

(Copyright: BASF SE)

(Copyright: BASF SE)

(Copyright: Dirk Wilhelmy)

(Copyright: Dirk Wilhelmy)

(Copyright: Dirk Wilhelmy)

The topics of biosafety and hygiene in laboratories are omnipresent for those responsible and staff on-site. This applies not only to high-security laboratories and cleanrooms but also to biotech, chemical, medical, and medical-technical laboratories. The awareness has increased further due to the COVID-19 pandemic in many places, which also impacts laboratory planning and the specification of the building materials used. To prevent environmentally and health-damaging substances from entering the ground and contaminating it, the highest requirements are placed on flooring. They must not only be easy to clean and resistant to acids, alkalis, solutions, and disinfectants but since 2021, various regulations also require the flooring to be liquid-tight. The publication by the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) 213-086 "Biological Laboratories: Equipment and Organizational Measures" already demands water resistance of floor coverings starting from protection level S2. The latest genetic engineering safety regulation (GenTSV, as of March 2021) also stipulates that flooring at this level must be liquid-tight. Additionally, a hygienic wall-floor connection is required. Robust, easy-to-maintain, and chemical- and disinfectant-resistant rubber flooring ensures optimal hygiene and maximum safety. With its extremely dense surface and a wide range of prefabricated skirting boards and corner profiles for hygienic wall connections, nora floor systems offer an ideal solution for all types of laboratories.

Different protection levels – different requirements

In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and internationally, microbiological laboratories are classified into four protection or safety levels – S1 to S4 or BSL1 to BSL4 (Biosafety Level). While only general hygiene guidelines need to be followed in S1 laboratories, the highest safety requirements apply to high-security laboratories of protection and safety level 4. However, even from S2 onwards, the regulations for the use of suitable flooring have recently been tightened. "In principle, the change has nothing to do with the pandemic; the regulations are continuously updated by authorities," explains Dr. Udo Weber, expert in planning and implementing microbiological laboratories and consulting engineer for building, cleanroom, and laboratory technology. "However, more attention is now being paid." This mainly concerns the liquid-tightness of floor coverings. "The new regulation means that from protection and safety level 2, the flooring must be absolutely waterproof on the outside and must therefore be sealed with nora 1-K joint sealant," emphasizes Frank Bähr, nora market segment specialist for industry.

Extensive accessory program for hygienic connections

In laboratories from protection and safety level 2, furnishings must also be completely sealed against wall, floor, and ceiling; no undefined hollow spaces may form. "These connections often pose a problem in laboratory setup," reports Weber. "Here, nora offers an extensive range of prefabricated hygienic wall-floor connections as an optimal solution, which is why I recommend rubber flooring systems for laboratories." The nora range includes hygienic connections for door frames, built-in units, walls, and drains, all designed in the same style as the flooring. For laboratories, the products from the norament line (tiles), especially norament grano and the electrostatically dissipative norament grano ed, as well as from the noraplan line (sheet flooring), such as noraplan signa ed and noraplan sentica ed, are particularly suitable. When equipping laboratories, nora experts focus on personal consultation. During discussions, the type of chemicals used in the laboratories is clarified. Compatibility of the flooring with other requirements, such as load capacity, is also discussed. Lastly, questions about cleaning and maintenance are addressed. As part of the service, customers can have their resistance to specific media tested in the nora test laboratory or receive test samples for evaluation in their own facilities.

More S3 laboratories in the future with increased material quality requirements

"In general, it is important in laboratory planning to analyze the specific needs precisely and to determine perfectly tailored equipment solutions," emphasizes Weber. "Especially in the public sector and also in private industry, laboratories often face increased budget constraints." Additionally, due to the rising occurrence of highly pathogenic viruses across Europe, there will increasingly be S3 laboratories with higher material quality requirements. But above all, flexibility is demanded in future laboratory constructions, as the requirements for equipment change with evolving research projects. "Experience shows that the contents change fundamentally every five years and thus require completely new room configurations," Weber continues. However, flooring generally remains in the facility for a long time. The more safety levels the flooring can cover, the more long-term and versatile its use. Rubber flooring systems, which impress with an extremely long lifespan, easy, hygienic, and economical cleaning, and low maintenance, are therefore a sustainable solution for new builds or renovations of laboratories, especially in light of cost pressures.