According to the characteristics of the laboratory, laboratories can be classified into several distinct types of laboratories: dry laboratory and wet laboratory, main laboratory and auxiliary laboratory, and conventional laboratory, special laboratory, and dangerous laboratory. Understanding these laboratory classifications is essential for anyone involved in lab design, laboratory furniture procurement, or facility planning, since each lab type comes with different infrastructure, ventilation, and safety requirements. Whether you are setting up a chemical laboratory, a biological laboratory, or a specialized biosafety laboratory, choosing the right category from the start helps avoid costly renovations later.
Laboratory Types by Function and Feature
1. Dry Laboratory vs. Wet Laboratory
Dry laboratories refer to laboratories that use little or no water, such as precision instrument rooms, balance rooms, and high-temperature greenhouses.
A wet laboratory refers to a laboratory that requires water supply and drainage systems for routine experiments such as sample processing, volumetric analysis, centrifugation, precipitation, and filtration.
Practical tip: When planning a new facility, it's worth mapping out which rooms will handle liquid-based procedures early, since retrofitting drainage and water supply into a "dry" space is far more expensive than designing it in from the start.
2. Main Laboratory and Auxiliary Laboratory
1) Main Laboratory
The main laboratory refers to the core laboratory space where primary experiments such as analysis and research are conducted - for example, the precision instrument room.
2) Auxiliary Laboratory
Auxiliary laboratories support the core experiments carried out in the main laboratory, such as balance rooms, high-temperature greenhouses, and sample rooms.
Laboratory furniture and casework should be selected with this main/auxiliary distinction in mind - main laboratories typically need more precise, vibration-resistant benching, while auxiliary spaces can prioritize storage and workflow efficiency.
3. Conventional Laboratory and Special Laboratory
1) Conventional Laboratory
Conventional laboratories refer to general chemical, biological, and physics laboratories that have no pressure-differential or air-purification requirements.
2) Special Laboratory
Special laboratories are designed to meet specific technical needs, such as clean laboratories, anti-static laboratories, and constant-temperature-and-humidity laboratories, as well as mobile laboratories. Special laboratories also include biosafety laboratories, radiation laboratories, and laboratories handling flammable or explosive dangerous goods, along with other facilities that pose potential risks to personnel or the environment.
From a procurement standpoint, special and dangerous laboratories require certified fume hoods, explosion-proof electrical fittings, and compliant ventilation systems - these should never be sourced as an afterthought once a lab's classification is confirmed.
Laboratory Types by Subject/Discipline
Laboratories can also be classified by discipline into chemical laboratories, biological laboratories, and physics laboratories.
1. Chemistry Laboratory
The chemistry laboratory is mainly used for research, analysis, and teaching in fields such as inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and polymer chemistry. It generally includes a physical and chemical laboratory, precision instrument room, balance room, standard solution room, chemical/reagent room, storage room, high-temperature greenhouse, and pure water room.
These spaces are mainly used for routine experiments and instrumental analysis, including sample processing, volumetric analysis, centrifugation, precipitation, and filtration.
2. Biological Laboratory
Biology laboratories are typically divided into zoology laboratories, botany laboratories, and microbiology laboratories.
A common example is the toxicology experiment, which studies the damaging effects and mechanisms of chemical substances on living organisms from a biological perspective. This type of laboratory serves as a testing and research site for toxicity identification, safety evaluation, and functional mechanism studies. It generally includes ordinary animal experiment rooms and clean animal laboratories, consisting of a front area, breeding area, animal laboratory, and auxiliary area.
The botany laboratory is mainly used for experiments such as plant anatomy, slide preparation and staining, cytochemical composition analysis, microbial detection, gene separation and purification, in-vitro amplification techniques, protein quantification, and electrophoresis analysis.
Microbiology laboratories are divided into pathogenic microbiology laboratories and sanitary (hygienic) microbiology laboratories.
(1) Pathogenic Microorganism Laboratory
This type of laboratory focuses on the identification and classification of viruses and bacteria. It is typically designed to handle Biosafety Level 1 to 4 pathogens, which carry varying degrees of risk - including harm to humans, the environment, and experimental subjects. For this reason, pathogenic microorganism laboratories should always be built as dedicated biosafety laboratories, with certified containment, airflow control, and safety equipment.
(2) Sanitary Microbiology Laboratory
The sanitary microbiology laboratory focuses primarily on product testing and inspection, with relatively low or minimal biological hazard. Typical test subjects include food, cosmetics, air, and water samples. Since the main concern here is cross-contamination between samples or environmental contamination, sanitary microbiology laboratories are usually built as clean laboratories.
How to Choose the Right Laboratory Type
Selecting among the different types of laboratories depends largely on your industry, testing scope, and safety compliance requirements:
Research institutions and universities often need a mix of conventional and special laboratories to support varied research programs.
Pharmaceutical and biotech companies typically require biosafety laboratories and clean laboratories to meet GMP and regulatory standards.
Food, cosmetics, and environmental testing labs are usually best served by sanitary microbiology and conventional chemical laboratory setups.
Industrial QC and manufacturing facilities may prioritize dry laboratories and precision instrument rooms for calibration and materials testing.
When planning a new lab or upgrading an existing one, it's worth consulting with a laboratory furniture and fit-out specialist early in the design phase - the right classification directly affects ventilation design, furniture selection, electrical layout, and long-term compliance costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of laboratories?
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Laboratories are generally classified into dry and wet laboratories, main and auxiliary laboratories, and conventional, special, and dangerous laboratories, depending on function, water use, and safety requirements.
What is the difference between a dry laboratory and a wet laboratory?
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A dry laboratory uses little or no water, such as a precision instrument room, while a wet laboratory requires water supply and drainage systems for tasks like sample processing, filtration, and centrifugation.
What is a biosafety laboratory used for?
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A biosafety laboratory is a special laboratory designed to safely handle pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, using containment levels ranging from Biosafety Level 1 to 4 based on risk.
How is a microbiology laboratory classified?
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Microbiology laboratories are divided into pathogenic microbiology laboratories, which handle disease-causing organisms in biosafety settings, and sanitary microbiology laboratories, which test food, water, air, and cosmetics in clean laboratory environments.
How do I choose the right laboratory type for my facility?
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The right laboratory type depends on your industry and testing needs - for example, pharmaceutical and biotech companies typically require biosafety and clean laboratories, while industrial QC facilities may prioritize dry laboratories and precision instrument rooms.
Need help planning the right laboratory setup for your facility? Our team has years of experience supplying laboratory furniture and fit-out solutions across chemical, biological, and specialized lab environments. Contact us for a customized solution, or request a quote today to get expert advice tailored to your project.