MEP Engineering for an extraction lab

The very first step to designing a new lab floor plan is laying out schematically equipment locations and all the C1D1 extraction rooms areas with MAQ’s properly defined, either through the Easy Approval Package or a floor plan from another party. Once this is complete then the next layer of design and engineering information must be added to stay on the path to a building permit in-hand from your local building department.  This is the MEP Design scope, stamped by a PE licensed in your state. 

Based off our deep knowledge of the C1D1 or C1D2 extraction booth product (including those from other manufacturers), we will design a Mechanical ductwork layout to properly serve the booth(s) and supporting spaces, as well as specify new HVAC units where necessary to provide adequate cooling and heating.  At the client’s request, we are also able to design these systems to a GMP or cGMP standard with the support of a recommended consultant hired as an additional optional through C1D1 Labs.  Additionally, we will go through your complete extraction equipment list to provide electrical engineering that calculates the total electrical loads, and any new electrical panels or transformer upgrades required to support your new Lab build-out. 

This is critical, as many existing spaces that extractors lease or purchase end up being deficient when it comes to available power capabilities.  An extraction operation typically has high electrical demands and arranging for a power upgrade with your regional electricity company can take months – let us help you get in front of the eight ball.  Finally, the MEP engineering for an extraction lab scope of work includes Plumbing engineering and state-required Energy compliance calculations.  For an extraction operation, we’ve nailed down the ideal setup of sinks and other plumbing fixtures from both a code and ease-of-workflow standpoint.  We begin laying these out in the Easy Approval phase, and then properly detail with code-required calculations, fittings, hot & cold water lines, space clearances, etc. during the MEP design for the extraction lab. 

The last step is preparing Energy-efficiency compliance reports that all states require – in CA, this is Title 24, and in other states this is the IECC or an amended version.  All city and county building departments will need to see these compliance reports in order to give the go-ahead for you to start construction.  Bear in mind that with the MEP design package, we remain on standby to make any necessary updates to the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing designs your local building department might ask for so that they can give their final approval. If needed the C1D1 Labs extraction facility design and engineering team also have the best structural engineers. No matter how big your goal, our team will stay the course to get you over the finish line.

Architectural Building permit submittals for an extraction lab.

Your local building department will require that the architectural submittal addresses issues such as:

1. What is the calculated number of occupants based off the occupancy classification defined in the building code?  Does this require additional exit doors to be provided?  Is the proper fire exit egress path-of-travel mapped out, and does it maintain the required clear width and maximum length per code? 

2. Does the new use and number of occupants meet the local municipal code requirements for parking spaces need?  Are the right number of handicap-accessible (ADA, which is the law at a federal level) parking spaces provided or do more need to be added?  Is there a handicap-accessible path to the front door, and if not what elements need to be added (code-compliant ramps, bumps, signage)? 

3. Is there a handicap-accessible restroom, and are the code-required number of sinks and toilets provided based off the new occupancy count?  These are just a few of the items our architectural permit/construction document drawing sets address, and we free our clients from stressing about these issues by using our experience to prepare the right drawings that show what building departments want to see. 

Beyond obtaining the city approvals, these architectural drawings for a CBD extraction facility will be needed for your General Contractor to price out the materials and labor for your build, and for them to have a complete set of blueprints to work from on the construction site.  We understand that clients might assume that just a floor plan is enough to start building, but your building department and GC will expect much more detail about the structural and material make-up of required fire walls, what finishes and materials are proposed throughout and how they come together, the height of walls and ceilings, what doors are made of and what kind of handles they have (code requires specialty handles and push-bars in certain locations), and many other details that can’t be overlooked.  As usual, our experience allows us to have an eye out for common roadblocks so that you’re not left guessing as you move seamlessly to operational status.