Shared laboratories: a new trend for cleanrooms and labs.

09:32 - 25/08/2025 219

In the trend toward cost optimisation and improved operational efficiency, the Shared Laboratory model has become a standout solution for research involving laboratory animals.

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☰ Table of Contents

1. Shared laboratory: A new trend for cleanrooms and laboratories
1.1. Designing a standards-compliant environment
1.2. Lighting that controls biological cycles
1.3. Easy cleaning in line with CCAC guidance
2. Key specifications

Shared laboratory: A new trend for cleanrooms and laboratories

In the drive to optimise costs and improve operational efficiency, the Shared Laboratory model has become a standout solution for research involving laboratory animals. Airkey Envirotech designed a vivarium modular cleanroom at its factory for testing before shipping to the United States. The laboratory includes five animal holding rooms—housing mainly mice and rats—and provides an optimised shared space for multiple research teams, reducing the construction and operating burden that individual researchers would otherwise face.

Next-generation cleanroom

Vivarium facilities play a critical role in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors, as they must maintain tightly controlled environments to house and care for laboratory animals—supporting safe, reliable, and accurate research activities.

Designing a standards-compliant environment

The laboratory is designed for a temperature range of 18–25 °C and relative humidity of 50 ± 10 %, helping prevent animal stress or disease caused by temperatures that are too high or too low. Airflow is maintained via continuous air supply, with an air change rate of more than 15 times per hour. In addition, the corridor is designed with sufficient width to support traffic flow for animal racks, carts, and materials.

Cleanroom development trend

Lighting that controls biological cycles

To observe animal behaviour in sleep–wake cycle studies, the lighting system includes white light and red light, which can be switched on/off based on a defined schedule. With a timing function, the two lighting modes can be set to help regulate the animals’ sleep–wake patterns.

Quality of next-generation cleanrooms

Easy cleaning in line with CCAC guidance

According to CCAC guidance, animal laboratories should be designed to facilitate cleaning and should use materials/finishes that withstand frequent sanitation. Airkey’s solution uses flush-mounted sandwich panels and flush-mounted windows, combined with covings to avoid dust accumulation and support effective disinfection.

Key specifications

Parameter	Value
Area	65.2 m²
Inner height	2.75 m
Cleanliness class	ISO 8 (Class 100,000)
Design temperature / humidity	18–25 °C / 50 ± 10 % RH
Industry	Biology
Location	San Diego, USA