When your 7th grader says she is studying “life sciences,” you might be puzzled by that term. It’s what we called “biology” in school. Life sciences is the study of living organisms:
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Botany
- Microbiology
- Physiology
- Zoology
…and more. It’s a sector of the medical research and development industry that is taking off like a rocket. Or as reporter Sebastian Obando puts it, “the life sciences gold rush.”
Construction Industry Projects for Science Studies Have Special Code Considerations
A life science construction project isn’t as cut-and-dried as an office or retail complex. There are building codes to follow defining how many chemicals are allowed in a laboratory structure. For research scientists, the more the better, so one of your jobs is to maximize the number of chemicals allowed.
Current building codes allow for more chemicals on ground and bottom floors. You can request design strategies that allow for more chemicals on upper floors.
The Devil’s in the Details
A commercial property’s ultimate use in the life sciences sector is critical. You need to know how much, what kind of, and where equipment will be located. Retrofitting and repurposing those empty office buildings to serve as life sciences space is the construction industry challenge. But it has its rewards: Demand is high and so are profits.
Typically, buildings that offer a 20-to-25-foot column-free span from the perimeter work well to provide lab bench areas with lab support and offices towards the interior core…generally steel will offer the most flexibility in a retrofit. –Joseph Whalen, Suffolk New York
Life science buildings require stronger weight-bearing infrastructures, specific floor-to-ceiling heights, and more to be converted from an office or retail space to a laboratory. With 2021 past the halfway mark, an anticipated $90 billion is anticipated to be invested in the life sciences sector.
You Can Watch It Happen or Make It Happen
Building permit information can be sorted into marketing leads for your company. Analyzing the data you receive from Construction Monitor is great. But taking action to increase profits is what we intended for you. It’s not rocket science (or life science) but if you aren’t sure how this works, just ask us. Contact Construction Monitor today.