As highlighted in some of our previous blog posts, the 10th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) introduces a new design option for laboratory buildings, now incorporated under §428 as Laboratory Suites. This design option will allow for increased chemical quantities of flammable and combustible liquids in Research & Development (R&D) laboratory buildings, meeting the requirements of 780 CMR §428 compared to the standard control area methodology in 780 CMR §414. Laboratory Suite allowances are particularly beneficial to laboratories located on upper levels of buildings.
For example, with the proper compartmentation and protection features, laboratories located on Level 7 and Level 6 of a building could see increases as much as 625% and 800% in allowable Class I Flammable Liquid quantities on the floor as compared to control areas:
Control Area Methodology
Laboratory Suite Methodology
Comparative Summary
With this new code change, there have been a number of questions surrounding how existing laboratory spaces can gain access to the new laboratory suite provisions and take advantage of the higher chemical quantities permitted under the 10th Edition of 780 CMR. While the process for converting an existing laboratory to a laboratory suite approach may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, there are fundamentally three major aspects to the implementation of laboratory suites in an existing building:
- Verification that the use of laboratory suites is appropriate for the specific application. For example, process rooms and chemical storage rooms are generally not permitted to be classified as laboratory suites because they do not constitute “laboratory work areas”. Additionally, smaller laboratories and/or laboratories located on the lower floors of a building may not benefit from a laboratory suite approach as compared to traditional control area methodology.
- Confirmation that the base building and tenant space have the appropriate infrastructure, fire-resistance-rated separations, and supporting systems (e.g. mechanical, electrical, fire protection, etc.) that comply with the 10th Edition laboratory suite requirements.
Obtaining proper permits and approvals associated with the new laboratory suite code approach and any new work required to implement the laboratory suites fully. Even if no renovation work is being performed as part of the conversion to laboratory suites, minimally, an existing building Investigation and Evaluation Report (aka “Chapter 34 Report”) is still required to be submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction to document the code approach that is compliant with the 10th Edition.