When it comes to commercial relocation, different types of facilities come with different needs. Case in point: Biotech laboratories. Transitioning your lab from one location to another requires a great deal of consideration for safety, sustainability, the integrity of your high-end equipment, and more.
To ensure your biotech relocation goes as smoothly as possible, there are a number of factors to keep in mind. These encompass critical steps before, during, and after the move.
What to Do Before Your Lab Relocation
Choose the Right Vendor
The last thing you need is to waste precious time training your moving company on how to handle sophisticated instruments and costly equipment. Make sure you seek a vendor with a proven track record in the biotech space.
Assign Roles and Responsibilities
Be clear about which team members are responsible for liaising with the relocation company, for taking inventory of your equipment, for securing data and records, and other important tasks. For the smoothest transition, it’s imperative to have clearly defined roles and a linear chain of command.
Develop a Database
Don’t allow anything to get lost or misplaced during your laboratory relocation. Work with your moving team to compile a comprehensive database of materials and equipment. Ask your vendor about technology to track each item, ensuring you arrive in your new space with every inventory item accounted for.
Check Local Laws
In some cases, you may need to consider legal compliance, especially with regard to transporting or disposing of certain chemicals. Ensure that your commercial mover is up to speed on regulatory matters.
What to Do During Your Lab Relocation
Maintain Communication with Your Vendors
Throughout the move itself, be quick to field any questions or concerns to your relocation partner. If there are any issues that need to be discussed, it’s always best to do so sooner rather than later.
Dialogue with Your Team
Workplace transitions are hard on everyone. Make sure you keep your personnel updated about the timeline and provide ways for them to stay connected to their ongoing research and assignments as best as you are able.
What to Do After Your Lab Relocation
Confirm All Materials Have Arrived
Work with your relocation vendor to check all items against your inventory, ensuring that everything has arrived and is undamaged.
Ensure Proper Signage
There are countless steps to take when setting up your new lab space. One thing that’s easy to overlook is positioning all applicable safety/warning signage, especially signs required by law. Posting the needed signage should be among the first things you do in the new space.
Oversee Placement of Lab Materials
Have designated members of your team to monitor the unpacking and positioning of all materials. Follow any pre-move plans you developed about keeping hazardous or volatile materials sagely sequestered.
Have More Questions About Moving Your Lab?
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Learn MoreChoose Corovan for Your Biotech Move
Lab transitions always involve a number of moving pieces. One way to keep everything organized and efficient is to choose a qualified relocation partner, preferably a team with a proven track record in the laboratory space.
Corovan exceeds that standard. For more than 75 years, we’ve been a leading name in commercial moves, and we are especially well-versed in helping labs transition. Find out more about our logistics and relocation services by scheduling a consultation with Corovan today.