Why Hire A Laboratory Relocation Specialist?

A laboratory relocation is a complex project with many potential challenges. It might be a microscopy system has been decommissioned incorrectly before the move, or ultra low temperature (ULT) freezers have been exposed to vibration or temperature change. Or the issue could be access to the site and the impact laboratory downtime has on performance. Most often, the issues that affect a laboratory relocation’s success will be the ones that were unexpected.

The easiest way to mitigate against these issues, and to ensure that your move is successful, is to partner with a laboratory relocation specialist, such as Benchmark Services.

Why is a lab relocation specialist different to other couriers?

Laboratory equipment is sensitive, high-value equipment that requires calibration. ULT or cryogenic freezers, for instance, require constant temperature monitoring, and need to be transported in a way that avoids vibrations, bumps or shocks. A ULT freezer’s temperature-sensitive research samples can be destroyed in seconds at the wrong temperature, threatening years of research.

Benchmark Services, as an accredited specialist transport company, has decades of experience in moving lab equipment across the UK. The difference between our methods and the approach of a non-specialist or generalist logistics business is our project management and dedicated customer service. We will provide a project manager who will visit the site, conduct risk management for people or equipment and also plan the move at a time that will reduce the impact on operations the most. We will even provide support for decommissioning, decontamination and calibration of equipment in situ.

Every item is treated with care, and to the manufacturer’s specifications, because the team understands how expensive state of the art equipment can be. We will pack and transport equipment scientific instruments and research specimens safely, alongside your furniture, laboratory glassware and even your IT equipment as part of our service.

Find out more about what makes Benchmark Services a specialist in our case study about moving a photonic laboratory in Oxford.

How to tell if a transport company is a lab relocation specialist

There are several key things a courier should provide that will indicate if they are a specialist in moving labs:

How they plan your project

Benchmark Services provides project management well in advance of the move deadline. Even with a tight turnaround, we will provide a site visit, a risk assessment and then explain how we will safely mitigate any issues with the move. If decommissioning or calibration services are required, we will support the lab moving team in finding third-party experts, and we will always install equipment exactly where it needs to be.

See more about our laboratory relocations here.

Credentials

A laboratory relocation specialist will have a range of accreditations to keep regulatory compliance intact and to maintain high safety standards during the move. For instance, Benchmark Services is accredited for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 processes. We also hold FORS Silver Accreditation. We can support with COSHH assessments and regulatory documentation where required and we fully understand regulations imposed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), including traceability, environmental controls and storage procedures.

A general courier or logistics company may have one or two generic credentials, whereas a specialist team such as Benchmark will have the specific regulatory standards you need to mitigate risk and track compliance.

Find out more about our credentials here.

Their approach to restricted access and lab operations

Laboratories are often on first floors or in areas of restricted access. Often, with large machinery such as MRI scanners or cabinets, the weight of the equipment exceeds the weight limits of lifts, so other means of delivery to height are required.

Benchmark Services plan the route following the extensive site visit. We are adept at delivering complex machinery to first-floor locations, and we have experience in laboratory logistics, moving fragile equipment through areas of restricted access.

For more information, read about our freezer transportation through a tricky route at the University of Nottingham.

Timings and storage

Laboratories work to tight timelines and strict schedules. Downtime is costly, and a laboratory relocation specialist will understand this and work to maximise your efficiency while mitigating any disruption caused by the relocation. Many generic transportation businesses will try to complete a move during peak periods or in times of heavy traffic.

Benchmark Services will deliver out of hours, and we will assess both ends of the relocation route to assess for traffic (road or people), operational impact and ease of access, plus we will develop contingency plans for those unexpected moments that pop up in every relocation. For example, during our relocation project for Salience Labs in Oxford, we completed the project out of working hours, significantly reducing operating downtime.

Choosing the right lab relocation partner

Moving labs can be costly, time-consuming and have an impact on resources. Sometimes the temptation is to find a relocation partner who promises much, but without the experience or expertise to back up their promises. This can result in expensive downtime, broken or damaged machinery and equipment and a detrimental effect on research.

Speak to the Benchmark Services team and tell us about your project. We will then demonstrate what a laboratory relocation specialist is.

Read our case studies

Laboratory Relocation Specialists: Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book a laboratory relocation specialist?

Each move is different, and the length of time required to plan and complete the relocation depends on the scale, the amount of equipment, the time for decommissioning and installation and the site survey.

We have completed moves in a very short span of time, and we can flexibly turn around a project quickly. See our Salience Labs case study to find out more.

Will a lab relocation affect any warranties or service contracts?

It is possible, yes. We advise that before any relocation begins, machinery and equipment that is still under warranty or subject to a service contract be checked with the manufacturer. The Benchmark Service’s team can then liaise with their engineers to plan decommissioning, cleaning, calibration and installation into the project plan.

Can we recycle any equipment we don’t need during the lab relocation?

We can help you dispose of your obsolete equipment, either through sale or recycling. We can provide you with a transparent chain of custody and support with the collection and transport of the obsolete stock.

Find out more on our recycling page here.