Quality control is an increasingly important priority for production facilities across industries. From manufacturing to pharmaceutical production, quality control is a primary concern. Most industries use a quality control lab — dedicated, controlled spaces where products can be accurately tested to ensure they are manufactured within key parameters and are safe for the end consumer.
But, how do you establish a laboratory that provides the precise, controlled environment necessary to complete that testing accurately? Here are 4 key elements of a quality control lab, to ensure that your new laboratory is built to deliver the accurate results your industry needs.
Any quality control process starts with clear organization. That principle applies to the construction of your quality control lab, as well. As you establish quality control procedures, your laboratory must be set up to efficiently and accurately accommodate those procedures.
That starts with intelligent design. Your quality control laboratory should be designed to ensure that laboratory technicians can move easily throughout their daily operations without interruption. Consider what equipment must fit into the room, how many technicians are required, and how they can best work within that laboratory to ensure quality control is not disrupted.
If you’re not sure where to start, it’s always a good idea to connect with an experienced designer. Look for a construction professional who is familiar not just with lab design, but also with the strict environmental control requirements your lab must meet.
Your quality control testing and operations are only as good as your environment. High-performing laboratories must be constructed with high-quality components that can ensure a repeatedly clean and controlled environment.
As you develop your quality control lab, it’s important to look for building practices and building components that support the requirements of your processes. For example, if your quality control lab requires exceptional contaminant control, you need a laboratory that’s built to keep contaminants out. A tight building envelope, easy-to-clean surfaces, and a design that reduces the potential for particles to collect on surfaces and in corners are all a must.
While there are a few options for quality control lab construction, modular components are proven to deliver on all three and are often used in cleanroom applications, which match or exceed the requirements of your quality control laboratory. Regardless of application, modular components are proven to deliver the versatility, strength, and environmental controls you need.
Beyond construction, your quality control laboratory also requires precise environmental controls. Any change to the environment around you — in temperature, humidity or air flow — can affect the results of your testing procedure.
Precisely maintained air temperature, humidity, static, and even air flow are all critical in ensuring that your environment remains clean and that the results you’re delivering were derived from tests completed in a well-controlled environment. For that reason, it’s important to build a quality control lab with precise environmental controls that are sensitive enough to stabilize and control humidity and temperature within a few degrees.
When designing and building, look for providers who have experience building environments like cleanrooms. These manufacturers understand the cleanroom building process, and can deliver not only the controls you need, but also a higher-quality environment that is well-sealed to be able to maintain those strict environmental parameters.
Your quality control lab starts with excellent design and construction, but ends with clear, repeatable quality control procedures. One of the most important components of your quality control lab is the people in it, and the testing procedures you’ve established.
As you work to build your quality control lab, you’re taking great care to ensure that every component is working to deliver a controlled environment. Now, you have to implement the same level of care when developing the procedure behind the testing needed in your lab. With a great environment and solid, repeatable procedure, your quality control lab will be well on its way to beginning testing and delivering accurate, controlled results your end-users can trust.
Great quality control starts with great construction. If you’re planning for a new quality control lab, make sure you’re building with the very best components available to you. As experienced cleanroom, modular laboratory, and controlled environment manufacturers, Starrco can help. Give us a call at 800-325-4259 or contact us online to learn more.
