Lab & Facility Building Code Compliance

Evaluate building and fire code compliance for laboratory, cleanroom, and BSL facilities covering construction, life safety, egress, and specialized systems

BiotechPharmaResearchMedtechManufacturing25 minutes18 questions

1. Building & Structural

Does facility meet International Building Code (IBC) construction type requirements?*

IBC Chapter 3: Construction type (I-V) based on occupancy, height, area; lab spaces often require Type I or II

Are laboratory spaces classified as Group B (Business) or H (High-Hazard) occupancy?*

IBC 304/307: Group H if hazardous materials exceed exempt amounts; impacts construction, fire protection

Are fire-resistance-rated assemblies (walls, floors) properly constructed?*

IBC 707-709: Fire walls, fire barriers, horizontal assemblies per occupancy separation requirements

2. Life Safety & Egress

Are exit access, exits, and exit discharges compliant with NFPA 101?*

NFPA 101: Two means of egress, travel distance limits, corridor widths, stairwell enclosures

Are exit signs illuminated and emergency lighting functional?*

NFPA 101: Illuminated exit signs, emergency lighting with 90-minute battery backup, monthly testing

Are exits free of obstructions and doors not locked from egress side?*

IBC 1010: Exit doors swing in direction of egress, panic hardware if required, no storage blocking exits

3. Fire Protection Systems

Is an automatic sprinkler system installed per NFPA 13?*

NFPA 13: Wet-pipe sprinklers throughout building; dry-pipe or preaction in freezer areas

Is fire alarm system monitored with manual pull stations and audible/visual alarms?*

NFPA 72: Addressable fire alarm, 24/7 monitoring, pull stations at exits, strobes for hearing-impaired

Are flammable liquid storage rooms compliant with NFPA 30?*

NFPA 30: Flammable storage cabinets or rooms with fire-rated construction, ventilation, spill containment

4. HVAC & Containment

Does HVAC system provide required air changes (6-12 ACH for labs)?*

NFPA 45: Minimum 6 ACH for chemical labs, 12+ ACH for high-hazard; 100% outside air recommended

Are lab spaces maintained at negative pressure relative to corridors?*

ASHRAE 170, BSL requirements: Negative pressure to contain hazards, -0.01" to -0.03" WC

Are fume hoods and BSCs (Biosafety Cabinets) properly installed and certified?*

ASHRAE 110: Annual fume hood testing; BSCs certified per NSF/ANSI 49 annually

5. Electrical & Emergency Power

Is electrical system compliant with NFPA 70 (NEC)?*

NFPA 70: Adequate circuits, GFCI in wet areas, equipment grounding, panel labeling

Is emergency power (generator or UPS) provided for critical systems?*

NFPA 110: Emergency generator for life safety, fire alarm, freezers, BSL containment systems

Are emergency power systems tested monthly (generator) or annually (UPS)?*

NFPA 110: Monthly load tests, annual transfer switch tests, maintenance logs

6. Specialized Lab Requirements

Are cleanrooms designed to ISO 14644 or USP <797> standards?*

ISO 14644: HEPA filtration, positive pressure, particle counts verified; USP <797> for compounding

Do BSL-2/3/4 labs meet BMBL and NIH design requirements?*

BMBL 6th ed: Autoclave, sealed penetrations, directional airflow, double-door entry for BSL-3+

Are gas detection and monitoring systems in place for compressed gases?*

NFPA 55: Oxygen deficiency monitors in areas with inert gases (N2, CO2, Ar), combustible gas detectors

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