In This Article, You’ll Learn: how ANSI standards support laboratory safety, quality, and regulatory compliance, which requirements have the greatest impact on laboratory design, equipment, and operations, what to evaluate when meeting applicable standards, and how to ensure your laboratory complies with industry best practices.
Designing a safe and compliant laboratory requires much more than selecting quality furniture or equipment. Every laboratory depends on ventilation systems, emergency equipment, ergonomic workstations, plumbing fixtures, electrical infrastructure, and safety procedures that must work together to protect personnel and ensure reliable operations. Without recognized standards, inconsistencies between these systems can increase risks and complicate regulatory compliance.
This is where ANSI standards play an essential role. Rather than creating most technical standards itself, ANSI establishes the framework that allows accredited organizations to develop nationally recognized standards through a consensus-based process. Understanding how ANSI standards influence laboratory design helps organizations make informed decisions that improve safety, performance, and long-term compliance.
ANSI standards establish a common framework that promotes consistency across countless industries, including laboratory environments. Unlike organizations that directly develop technical requirements, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredits standards-developing organizations and verifies that they follow an open, balanced, and consensus-based process.
This approach allows ANSI standards to support virtually every aspect of laboratory infrastructure through organizations such as:
• ANSI/BIFMA (Furniture performance)
• ANSI/ASHRAE (Ventilation and HVAC)
• ANSI/ISEA (Emergency safety equipment)
• ANSI/ASME (Mechanical and plumbing systems)
• ANSI-approved accessibility and electrical standards
Together, these standards create a comprehensive foundation for laboratory safety and performance.
ANSI standards influence nearly every major laboratory system.
• Laboratory Safety:
Many laboratory safety requirements are based on standards developed by ANSI-accredited organizations. These standards help establish best practices for emergency equipment, hazard prevention, workplace design, and personnel protection, creating safer laboratory environments.
• Ventilation and Environmental Control:
Proper airflow is essential for contamination control and personnel safety. ANSI standards developed through organizations such as ASHRAE provide guidance for ventilation system performance, airflow management, temperature control, and indoor environmental quality.
• Furniture Performance and Ergonomics:
Although ANSI does not create laboratory furniture standards specifically, ANSI/BIFMA standards evaluate seating, tables, desks, and storage units for structural strength, stability, durability, fatigue resistance, and user safety. Many laboratory furniture manufacturers combine SEFA compliance with ANSI/BIFMA testing to demonstrate both laboratory-specific performance and general furniture durability.
• Accessibility and Building Systems:
ANSI also support accessible laboratory design through guidance for workstations, circulation areas, plumbing fixtures, and facility accessibility. This helps laboratories create environments that are safer and more inclusive for all users.
Applying ANSI standards begins with understanding which systems they influence.
• Identify Applicable Standards:
Different laboratory projects require different ANSI standards depending on the facility’s activities. Ventilation, furniture, emergency equipment, plumbing, accessibility, and electrical infrastructure may all reference different ANSI-accredited standards.
• Evaluate Manufacturer Documentation:
Manufacturers should identify which ANSI standards their products have been tested against. Reviewing technical documentation helps verify compliance and simplifies product comparison.
• Combine ANSI With Laboratory-Specific Standards:
ANSI standards complement—not replace—laboratory-specific standards such as SEFA. Using both approaches helps laboratories evaluate products based on general performance as well as laboratory-specific requirements.
• Plan Compliance Early:
Considering ANSI standards during the planning phase helps reduce redesigns, improve system compatibility, and simplify regulatory approval throughout the project lifecycle.
Before selecting laboratory equipment or infrastructure, verify:
• Applicable ANSI standards.
• Manufacturer testing documentation.
• Furniture performance certifications.
• Ventilation compliance.
• Accessibility requirements.
• Emergency equipment standards.
• Mechanical and plumbing compatibility.
• Laboratory-specific standards where applicable.
Reviewing these factors helps ensure every laboratory system works together safely and efficiently.
| Approach | ANSI Standards | Laboratory-Specific Standards (SEFA, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
|
Scope |
Entire Laboratory Infrastructure |
Specific Laboratory Products |
|
Furniture Performance |
ANSI/BIFMA |
SEFA 8, SEFA 8 PH, M, W |
|
Ventilation |
ANSI/ASHRAE |
Not Covered |
|
Emergency Equipment |
ANSI/ISEA |
Not Covered |
|
Laboratory-Specific Testing |
Limited |
Comprehensive |
ANSI and laboratory-specific standards are not competing systems—they serve different purposes. ANSI standards provide broad guidance across laboratory infrastructure, while standards such as SEFA standards evaluate the performance of laboratory furniture under laboratory-specific conditions. Using both creates a more complete approach to laboratory compliance.
Many laboratories misunderstand the role ANSI play during planning and specification.
• Assuming ANSI Develops Every Standard:
ANSI accredits standards-development organizations but does not create most technical standards itself.
• Using ANSI Instead of Laboratory-Specific Standards:
ANSI standards complement laboratory-specific standards rather than replacing them. Products should be evaluated using both whenever appropriate.
• Focusing Only on Furniture:
ANSI standards influence ventilation, emergency equipment, accessibility, plumbing, electrical systems, ergonomics, and many other laboratory components.
• Ignoring Manufacturer Testing:
Manufacturers should clearly identify which ANSI standards apply to their products and provide supporting documentation whenever possible.
• Treating Compliance as a Final Step:
Considering ANSI standards early in laboratory planning simplifies specification, improves compatibility between systems, and reduces costly project modifications.
ANSI standards provide one of the broadest frameworks for achieving laboratory safety, performance, and regulatory compliance. By understanding how ANSI-accredited standards influence ventilation, ergonomics, emergency equipment, accessibility, furniture performance, plumbing, and other essential systems, laboratories can make better specification decisions while creating safer and more efficient facilities. Rather than viewing ANSI standards as isolated technical requirements, laboratories should use them as a comprehensive foundation that supports every stage of laboratory planning, construction, and long-term operation.
ANSI help laboratories specify equipment and infrastructure using nationally recognized consensus-based requirements, improving safety, system compatibility, and regulatory compliance across the entire facility.
No. ANSI cover a wide range of laboratory systems, including ventilation, emergency equipment, ergonomics, accessibility, plumbing, electrical systems, mechanical equipment, and furniture performance through ANSI-accredited organizations.
ANSI provide broad requirements across many industries, while SEFA are specifically developed for laboratory furniture and equipment. Many laboratory manufacturers reference both to demonstrate comprehensive product performance.
Yes. ANSI support laboratory safety by establishing recognized requirements for emergency equipment, workplace ergonomics, ventilation, accessibility, and other critical systems developed by ANSI-accredited organizations.
When evaluating suppliers, verify which ANSI apply to the product, review the supporting testing documentation, determine whether laboratory-specific standards such as SEFA are also applicable, and ensure the equipment meets the operational requirements of your laboratory.
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