Silesian Analytical Laboratories – hygiene requirements meet acoustic comfort

In addition to blood collection points, the new building houses laboratories where samples from various locations are transported for analysis. Here, a team of specialists conducts critical laboratory tests. Appropriate arrangement of such space is a significant challenge for the investor and the designer. This is because it is a space with high demands, starting from the choice of modern equipment to the interior finishing. The space should be ergonomic for the staff while also meeting the highest hygiene requirements for laboratories. It must be safe for both employees and the test material itself.

"Laboratories are key places in the entire testing process. It is important not to contaminate the samples to guarantee accurate results. One mistake can have significant consequences. The environment in which the samples are tested is also crucial", says Łukasz Pawlik, the President of Badaj.to, the owner of the Śląskie Laboratoria Analityczne and Badaj.to Your Medical Laboratory brands.

The organisation paid attention not only to hygiene requirements. These laboratories employ specialists who perform demanding work that requires a high level of concentration. One of the key aspects that provides them with ergonomic and comfortable working conditions is proper room acoustics.

In laboratories, the main sounds are typically generated by equipment and robots used in the testing process, as well as the noises made by the staff and their communication. The interiors of such rooms are often designed with hard and smooth materials chosen due to their high hygiene requirements. Such surfaces reflect sound waves which create reverberation noise. These are not comfortable conditions for specialists, as their work requires a high level of focus.

To improve acoustic comfort in the laboratories in Świętochłowice, the Ecophon Hygiene Protec™ Air A ceiling system was used throughout the entire space. This is a sound-absorbing system with very high hygiene properties.

"It is a suspended ceiling system designed for clean rooms. It is a sound-absorbing system that passed a series of tests for the strictest requirements, such as mould and bacterial resistance or particle cleanliness classification for ISO 3. The ceiling is resistant to disinfection and is tested for air permeability, which is often required for clean rooms", says Monika Sadłowska, a Concept Developer for Healthcare at Ecophon Poland.

The Ecophon ceiling was also chosen for its acoustic properties. The investor is aware that a comfortable working environment brings many benefits: increasing employee efficiency, reducing fatigue and the risk of making mistakes.

"The comfort of employees in laboratories is important, as well as those working in the office area. There we also took care of the interior acoustics, considering the visual aspect as well", says Łukasz Pawlik.

"That's why we chose the black Ecophon Focus™ E system with a recessed visible grid which gives elegance and a unique appearance to conference rooms and offices. This ceiling also makes a great impression in the corridors when combined with glass walls."

Sound-absorbing systems help reduce reverberation time in rooms and improve speech intelligibility, which is particularly important in places like conference rooms. In corridors, sound-absorbing ceilings help limit sound propagation.

As can be seen, the building of the Silesian Analytical Laboratories in Świętochłowice is a place where both the safety and comfort of employees and patients are taken into consideration in all aspects. The results of this project show that it is possible to combine hygiene requirements with acoustic comfort.