Building Resilient Life Sciences Facilities Amid Climate Change

As climate risks escalate, the resilience of life sciences facilities is no longer optional. Facilities that rely on precise internal environments for research and production face increased threats from extreme weather, energy disruptions, and water scarcity. How do you protect these high-stakes operations in an unpredictable climate?

Key Strategies for Resilience

1. Strong Infrastructure

A well-designed facility should withstand severe weather, incorporating materials and suitable construction methodologies that mitigate the effects of climate change such as flooding, wind damage, and other environmental risks.

2. Advanced Climate Control

As climate change intensifies, life sciences facilities must adopt advanced climate control systems to maintain the precise environmental conditions necessary for research and biomanufacturing. These systems provide consistent regulation of temperature, humidity, and air quality, even during extreme weather events. 

By leveraging smart technologies such as sensors and automated controls, facilities can optimise energy efficiency while ensuring the protection of sensitive experiments, biological samples, and critical equipment from environmental fluctuations. Resilient HVAC systems, engineered to endure severe heat or cold, are crucial to sustaining uninterrupted operations in the face of increasingly unpredictable climate patterns.

3. Energy Resilience

The history of power interruptions, frequency of natural calamities (such as storms, floods, and earthquakes), and the effects of climate change are significant considerations in planning a building's power system topology. The use of updated, relevant, and applicable standards is essential for ensuring resilience.

Designing the power system with contingencies—such as redundancy in key components—and choosing between a single or dual utility power feed are critical decisions. Incorporating microgrid power systems, such as onsite generators, photovoltaic solar panels, and battery energy storage systems, provides essential backup during outages and helps prevent costly disruptions.

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4. Water Management

As climate change heightens the risks of water scarcity and flooding, effective water management becomes essential for the resilience of life sciences facilities. Sustainable water practices, including rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and low-water-use systems, are key to reducing reliance on external water supplies. 

In flood-prone areas, protective measures such as strategic placement of critical infrastructure, advanced stormwater management, and flood barriers can safeguard against water damage. This comprehensive approach not only minimises environmental impact but also strengthens the facility's ability to maintain uninterrupted operations in regions facing water stress or flood risks.

5. Future-Proof Design

‍Future-proof design in life sciences facilities focuses on creating adaptable, resilient spaces capable of evolving with advancing technologies and climate challenges. This includes modular layouts that can be easily reconfigured to meet shifting research demands and robust infrastructure built to withstand natural disasters. 

Energy-efficient materials and renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, are essential for reducing carbon footprints and ensuring operational continuity. 

Additionally, integrating digital infrastructure for remote monitoring and automation enhances the facility’s adaptability and sustainability, making it well-equipped to thrive in an unpredictable climate future.

A Path Forward

Incorporating resilience into the design of life sciences facilities is critical for ensuring smooth operations in an unpredictable future. By integrating smart systems, energy resilient solutions and future-proof designs, developers can protect their facilities against related climate risks while maintaining sustainable operations.

Key to this resilience is the implementation of microgrid systems, such as renewable energy integration and back-up power - generator solutions, ensuring uninterrupted operations even during extreme weather events. Water management strategies, including water recycling and stormwater control, further enhance sustainability and operational continuity. Additionally, advanced climate control systems play a vital role, regulating temperature and humidity while optimising energy usage for life sciences building.

Life sciences facilities designs should be both flexible and scalable, accommodating future needs or changes in technology without extensive retrofits. This adaptability is crucial for long-term resilience, allowing facilities to evolve in response to both technological advancements and environmental changes.

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