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LABtoGO interior view
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The LABtoGO
A conventional lab container fits
entirely inside the LABtoGO.
Conventional lab containers are based on standard container dimensions — small, cramped, full of compromises. The LABtoGO from Planexus is so large that a conventional lab container would fit entirely inside it. The result: genuine laboratory depth, genuine room height, genuine working — with professional laboratory equipment of the highest standard.
Size comparison: standard vs LABtoGO
Conventional lab container
LABtoGO – mobile lab containers
The dashed outline shows: a conventional lab container fits entirely inside the LABtoGO.
The decisive question
When does a container become a lab container?
A container with laboratory furniture is a long way from being a lab container. Only through a host of functional, technical and safety-relevant features does a room container become a fully fledged laboratory. Typical factors that distinguish a laboratory from a container with laboratory furniture:
Purpose & use
A laboratory is intended for experiments, analyses or research — with specific requirements for hygiene, reproducibility and safety.
Infrastructure
- Power supply for high-load instruments
- Water connections and wastewater disposal
- Gas connections, e.g. for burners
- Ventilation systems or fume cupboards for hazardous vapours
Safety equipment
- Emergency shower and eyewash station
- Fire-alarm equipment and fire extinguishers
- Safety signage and escape routes
- Safety and hazardous-substance cabinets
Specialised fit-out
- Laboratory benches with chemical-resistant surfaces
- Fume cupboards for hazardous substances
- Measuring and analytical instruments (balances, microscopes, spectrometers)
Standards & regulations
A laboratory must meet statutory safety standards: DIN standards, occupational-safety guidelines, laboratory guidelines. Depending on the type (chemistry laboratory, biology laboratory, physics laboratory, instrument and analytical laboratory) additional regulations apply, such as BSL levels for biology laboratories.
Only with these features does a container become a lab container.
Laboratory furniture alone does not make a laboratory. A fully fledged lab container combines functional, technical and safety-relevant properties that are indispensable for scientific or technical work.
The LABtoGO added value
What makes the LABtoGO so special
The LABtoGO not only meets all the requirements above — it exceeds them. Here are the concrete added values in each category:
Purpose & use
Maximum versatility in one system
The LABtoGO comprises a comprehensive container base whose infrastructure covers the most common laboratory variants. With minimal interventions in the structure, for example, an instrument and analytical laboratory becomes a fully fledged chemistry laboratory — the laboratory room remains individual and adaptable to changing conditions, and this during ongoing operation.
Self-contained system
Each container is independent — simple, rapid exchange of any module in a matter of moments.
Combinable
Individually configurable and expandable into open-plan laboratories by removing external walls.
Adaptable
From instrument laboratory to chemistry laboratory — with minimal interventions, during ongoing operation.
Infrastructure
Laboratory standard on a container base
The LABtoGO offers genuine laboratory infrastructure — no compromises, no restrictions. With more than 6.20 m laboratory depth and 2.75 m clear room height without visible installations, a workspace is created that is in no way inferior to conventional laboratory buildings.
HVAC & ventilation
- ▶Integrated AHU with heat recovery to DIN 1946-7
- ▶Adjustable pressure zones for positive or negative pressure
- ▶Separate 24-hour extract system with PPs pipework
- ▶Air-conditioning within the container envelope — no add-ons
Construction & design
- ▶Fully integrated suspended ceiling, washable & disinfectable
- ▶Separate plant room for maintenance staff
- ▶500 kg/m² floor loading as standard
- ▶Gas supply with purity grade up to 6.0
Unique container design
No re-/dismantling of add-on parts required — standard road transport without abnormal-load permit. Current external paint finish in RAL 7016 anthracite.
Safety equipment
All-round protection at the highest standard
The LABtoGO integrates all safety-relevant systems directly from the works — from the emergency-call system to access control. No subsequent upgrading, no compromises on personnel safety.
Emergency-call system
Incident and emergency via web or GSM
Intruder alarm
Optical and acoustic signalling
Fire-alarm technology
Networked, variable, fire-alarm-system-integrable
Access control
External lighting with logging
Temperature monitoring: Independent control of individual rooms within the container
Day/night mode: Automatic ventilation setback with occupancy detector and signalling
Trace heating: Connection preparation for supply and waste lines
Specialised fit-out
Smart Lab integration from the works
From modular laboratory furniture via building management to remote maintenance — the LABtoGO combines everything a modern laboratory needs in a well-considered, networked system. Our Smart Lab integration makes it possible.
Laboratory & equipment
Modular furniture system
Interchangeable without adapting the room’s supply and waste lines
ESD floor covering
Dissipative, chemical-resistant, disinfectable, easy to clean
S2-capable
Laboratory room convertible to BSL-2 in a few simple steps
Privacy glass
Electrically switchable frosted-glass film for know-how protection at the touch of a button
Digital networking
Building management system (BMS)
Fully integrated with touch panel, separate technician and user access
Remote maintenance
Remote diagnosis via remote access for rapid problem resolution
Network
Active LAN/WLAN with fibre, separate user and technician WLAN
Standards & regulations
Comprehensive compliance from the works
The LABtoGO meets all relevant standards and regulations directly from the works. No subsequent adaptations, no uncertainties at acceptance and audits.
Body and eye emergency showers to DIN EN 15154 Parts I+II, BGI, GUV-I 850-0
Higher illuminance for indoor workplaces and laboratory areas
Above-average glazed areas for natural daylighting
Automatic flushing unit with logging and domestic-water station with backwashing
Anti-panic doors, outward-opening, fully glazed for safe escape in an incident
Integrated oil protector and air-conditioning within the container dimensions
Lobby and/or corridor integrated — through all the points listed, full compliance with current laboratory guidelines.
The conclusion:
Through the functional, technical and safety-relevant features listed, the LABtoGO becomes a fully fledged, comprehensive lab container.
Container with laboratory furniture ≠ lab container. The LABtoGO is not a converted container — it is conceived and built as a laboratory from the ground up.
Exclusive insights
The LABtoGO from the inside
For the first time in pictures: this is what a fully fledged lab container looks like — from the work surface to the plant room.
LABtoGO — exterior view
RAL 7016 anthracite, fully glazed front, 9,500 × 3,000 × 3,400 mm
Laboratory room — view to the rear
Work surfaces on both sides, fully integrated suspended ceiling, ESD floor covering
Laboratory room — view towards the door
Wesemann Protect fume cupboard, hazardous-substance cabinets, fully glazed entrance door
Wesemann Protect fume cupboard
Work surface with gas supply
Wash & safety area
Gas pressure regulator
Loxone control & access
Plant room — AHU
Plant room — installations
Lobby & entrance area
Fully glazed anti-panic door to ASR A1.7, emergency-exit signage
Modular laboratory furniture system
Interchangeable without room adaptation — full flexibility during ongoing operation
Construction-type comparison
Five construction types in direct comparison
From classic solid construction to standardised container construction — where does the LABtoGO stand in comparison? We define the five most common construction types in laboratory construction and assess them against seven decisive criteria.
Solid construction
Traditional construction with load-bearing walls of concrete, brick or stone. Construction takes place entirely on site.
Modular construction
Prefabrication of room modules (approx. 70%) at the works, which are assembled on the construction site.
Classic container construction
Room containers are erected on the construction site; the container building is then “converted” into a laboratory.
Prefabricated container construction
Room containers are partly prefabricated at the works (approx. 70%).
Standardised container construction (LABtoGO)
Room containers are 100% prefabricated at the works and on site are only connected to the infrastructure.
| Criterion | Solid construction | Modular construction | Classic container | Prefabricated container | LABtoGO standardised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead time | Very long | Shorter | Shorter | Shorter | Very short |
| Individuality | Very high | Higher | High | High | Medium* |
| Flexibility & expandability | Very low | Low | High | High | Very high |
| Cost | Very high | High | High | Medium | Low |
| Site effort | Very high | Medium | High | Medium | Minimal |
| Overall project duration | Very long | Medium | Medium | Medium | Minimal |
| Mobility | None | Limited | Limited | Limited | Very high |
* Standardised equipment variants, combinable. Open-plan laboratories also possible by de-/re-installing external walls.
What do the individual criteria mean?
Lead times
How long does it take until construction starts?
Solid construction: Preparation sometimes takes years.
Modular construction: Shorter thanks to standardised designs.
Classic/prefabricated container: Simplified structural design thanks to standard containers.
LABtoGO: Very short — everything is already designed. In the ideal case the container is in stock.
Individuality
How adaptable is the laboratory?
Solid construction: Exactly configurable to the client (budget-dependent).
Modular construction: High, but limited by transport dimensions.
Classic/prefabricated container: Combinable, smaller grid than modular construction.
LABtoGO: Various equipment variants, combinable. Standardisation secures quality and speed.
Flexibility & expandability
How well does it adapt?
Solid construction: Complex conversion/extension works required.
Modular construction: Complete building, only limited expandability.
Classic/prefabricated container: Expansion possible, depending on the location.
LABtoGO: Very high — “plug and play” containers enable expansion, exchange and rearrangement of individual building parts.
Cost
What must be invested?
Solid construction: Very high — long construction time, many trades.
Modular construction: High — more efficient through works prefabrication.
Classic container: High — inexpensive containers, but expensive on-site assembly.
Prefabricated container: Medium — prefabrication saves assembly time.
LABtoGO: Low — finished to the construction site, only connection to the infrastructure remaining.
Site effort
What still happens on site?
Solid construction: Everything is done on the construction site.
Modular construction: Connect modules and attach to infrastructure.
Classic container: Assembly plus all installations on site.
Prefabricated container: Similar to modular construction.
LABtoGO: Minimal — merely connection to the infrastructure.
Overall project duration
From identification of need through to use
Solid construction: Sometimes decades — needs have often changed by then.
Modular construction: Medium — shorter construction time, but long permit procedures.
Classic/prefabricated container: Medium — shortened procedures possible.
LABtoGO: Minimal — stocking of modules possible. Laboratory in operation within a few days.
Mobility — an often underestimated factor
This aspect is not considered in many comparisons. Solid construction is out of the question here anyway. Most modular buildings and classic container buildings can only be moved to another location to a limited extent — in every case larger assembly and dismantling works are required.
LABtoGO: Standardised container construction can be moved to another location with little effort — complete and operational.
Conclusion of the construction-type comparison
Of course every laboratory construction needs a precise assessment, because there are far more aspects than those listed here.
Once a decision for container construction has been taken, standardised container construction — i.e. the LABtoGO — is the best choice in almost every respect. More in our guide rent or buy lab containers.
Unique Design
What makes the LABtoGO so unique
No other lab container combines so many well-considered details in a single system. These four aspects make the difference:
Uncompromising container design
The LABtoGO does not merely look good — its design solves a real problem: all technical installations, including air-conditioning, sit within the container envelope. No add-ons, no overhangs, no abnormal-load transport.
- No re-assembly or dismantling of add-on parts required
- Standard road transport without an abnormal-load permit
- External paint finish in RAL 7016 anthracite
- Integrated oil protector for compliance with WasgefStAnIV
- Above-average glazed areas for natural daylight
Fully integrated suspended ceiling & plant room
The suspended ceiling conceals all technical installations and at the same time provides space for future extensions. A separate plant room allows maintenance without interrupting laboratory operations.
- No visible add-ons or installations in the laboratory room
- Washable and disinfectable
- Separate technician access to all installations requiring maintenance
- Sufficient space for later extensions
- Genuine 2.75 m room height despite integrated building services
Maximum flexibility & expandability
Unlike solid or modular construction, where changes require costly conversion works, the LABtoGO can be reconfigured, extended or relocated at any time.
- Individual modules interchangeable in moments — without dismantling the whole assembly
- Room sequence adaptable to new workflows
- Expandable into open-plan laboratories by removing walls
- Adaptation during ongoing operation without production interruption
- Full mobility — relocatable to a new site with little effort
100% plug and play — a laboratory in days, not years
While solid construction can take years and requirements often change faster than buildings are completed, the LABtoGO is 100% prefabricated at the works and on site only needs to be connected. From the Albstadt works we reach, for example, lab-container sites in Stuttgart in 1.5 hours via the A81.
- 100% works prefabrication — reproducible quality
- On site, only connection to the building-side infrastructure remains
- Laboratory fully operational within a few days
- Standardisation enables stocking — in the ideal case available from stock
- Minimal site effort — laboratory and MEP inspections included
Ready for the LABtoGO?
Whether instrument laboratory, chemistry laboratory or BSL-2 — the LABtoGO adapts. Speak to our experts about your requirements.
From the first consultation via specialist engineering design through to turnkey handover by logistics & installation: Planexus accompanies you through the entire project process. Every LABtoGO is tailored individually to your laboratory requirements.