INDUSTRY MATTERS
Building a Business Case for Facility Improvements
By Michael Mottet, principal planner, HDR
• Existing Facility Forensics: An
experienced team of architects and
engineers should tour the building
to assess the building’s overall
capabilities. Engineers should speak
to the building maintenance team
to understand any constraints in
mechanical, electrical and plumbing
systems, and determine whether the
laboratory fit and finish meet current
architectural best practices.
The J. Mehsen Joseph Public Health Laboratory in Baltimore, MD. Photo: David Sundberg/Esto
In today’s challenging economic
environment, state and federal
agencies are scrambling to make budget
adjustments to maintain operations
and laboratory improvements. At the
same time, the reality of the pandemic
has accelerated conversations about our
current state of emergency preparedness.
Perhaps a current building was not
intentionally designed and engineered as
a diagnostic laboratory or has exceeded
its intended useful lifespan. Facilities
like this often struggle to maintain the
rigorous environmental conditions
required to provide a safe and productive
working environment for staff, as well
as safeguard the integrity of testing
protocols. Constant disruptions in testing
due to inadequate temperature, humidity,
airflow, vibration and backup power can
make operations a real challenge. In the
face of these challenges, it is hard to avoid
using the available minimal funds to take
a “band-aid” approach to improvements.
There is hope that renewed public
awareness about the importance of public
health might result in more funding.
However, the challenge is figuring out how
to best gain stakeholder support so that
some funding can be allocated towards
laboratory improvements. The first step
in the process is to establish a credible
business case.
Laying a Solid Foundation
It is critical to document the shortcomings
of the physical environment, including
engineering infrastructure and gaps in
programs. Commissioning a company
with expertise in public health laboratory
design and engineering can be extremely
helpful. Their qualified expertise will help
provide guidance in gaining stakeholder
support. The following key business case
deliverables should be considered:
• Executive Summary: This one-page
overview should address current
benefits and constraints of your
program and the building’s physical
condition. It should clearly document
the “Drivers for Change” that might
affect daily operations. The summary
should provide a priority list and
associated costs to implement.
• Space Programming: It is important
to document current programs by
department, space and function.
Existing area tabulations will help
benchmark against industry standards
for similar facilities. Departmental
interviews should be conducted to
document current program challenges
and identify future needs. A gap
analysis with associated improvement
costs will further inform decision
making processes.
• Basis of Design: The consulting team
should also produce an existing
conditions narrative that outlines
the current state of the facility
and provides guidance on industry
best practices for architectural and
engineering design features typical to
modern diagnostic laboratory design.
• Cost Analysis: A cost analysis should
provide detailed cost data and
estimates for improvements, as well
as considerations for future growth.
In addition, the costs associated with
deferred maintenance—for example
the inevitable failures in critical
engineering equipment—as well as
with operating an older, inefficient
building should be addressed.
• Recommendations: The consulting
team should meet with stakeholders
to develop key recommendations and
priorities, associated costs for each and
a timeline of implementation.
• Concept Design: If desired, the
consulting team can provide a
conceptual design plan(s) for key
recommendations and support
out-briefs or presentations to
stakeholders.
There is no single factor that makes a
facility inadequate to support modern
public health laboratory functions.
A business case will provide a strong
foundation and rationale for upgrading
or replacing an aging facility and
infrastructure, no matter the reason. •
HDR is a Platinum Level sustaining
member of APHL.
PublicHealthLabs
@APHL
APHL.org
Summer 2020 LAB MATTERS 23