A laboratory ventilation study released by Siemens is reshaping how life sciences organizations think about lab safety, airflow, and energy use. Laboratory ventilation systems are critical for controlling hazardous substances, protecting staff, and maintaining regulatory compliance, yet they are often designed using conservative assumptions that prioritize air volume over control. This new laboratory ventilation study challenges that approach by demonstrating that precise laboratory airflow control can deliver stronger safety outcomes while reducing energy consumption and emissions.
Conducted under real-world operating conditions, the laboratory ventilation study provides data-driven insights that lab managers can apply to laboratory design, renovation, and daily operations. As demand for flexible and sustainable laboratory space continues to rise, the findings position lab ventilation systems as a strategic operational decision rather than a fixed facility constraint.
Laboratory ventilation study evaluates real-world lab ventilation systems
The Siemens laboratory ventilation study, known as project PEARL, was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025 and represents the world’s first independent comparison of lab ventilation systems tested under realistic stress conditions. The project brought together Siemens, H. Lüdi + Co. AG, and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, which served as the independent testing institution.
Researchers evaluated three lab ventilation systems across seven configurations, measuring performance under comparable conditions and pushing each system to its operational limits. The laboratory ventilation study assessed safety performance, contamination control, user comfort, system flexibility, adaptability, and ventilation efficiency, producing a unique dataset that allows direct comparison between airflow strategies used in modern laboratories.
Laboratory airflow control improves safety and efficiency
A central finding of the laboratory ventilation study is that laboratory airflow control plays a more significant role in safety than total air volume. The study found that oversupplying air can destabilize controlled environments, increase operating costs, and raise carbon dioxide emissions without improving containment.
In several test scenarios, lab ventilation systems operating with less than half the air volume achieved 45 percent better ventilation efficiency while improving the removal of hazardous gases and excess heat. Improved laboratory airflow control also reduced recovery times after simulated spills by up to 29 percent, directly supporting faster stabilization of lab conditions and improved user comfort.
For lab managers, these findings suggest that right-sized airflow strategies can strengthen safety outcomes while supporting energy efficiency goals.
Flexible lab ventilation systems support evolving research needs
The laboratory ventilation study also highlights the importance of flexibility in lab design. Rather than designing labs for a single, fixed use case, the study supports creating environments capable of scaling from zero up to 300 watts per square meter. Flexible lab ventilation systems allow facilities to adapt to changing equipment loads, workflows, and research priorities over time.
This adaptability is increasingly important as global demand for laboratory space grows. In the UK alone, projections call for 1,000,000 square meters of additional lab space within five years. Lab ventilation systems that can adjust dynamically help organizations manage growth while maintaining safety and compliance.
Digital twins enhance lab ventilation planning and operations
Alongside physical testing, Siemens developed a digital twin of the entire laboratory ventilation study setup. Comparing digital simulations with real-world measurements validated the accuracy of the digital model and demonstrated its value for lab planning.
Lab Quality Management Certificate
The Lab Quality Management certificate is more than training—it’s a professional advantage.
Gain critical skills and IACET-approved CEUs that make a measurable difference.
“Comparing our project PEARL digital model with real-world measurements revealed amazing accuracy,” said Tim Walsh, global solution director for life sciences at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “This validated knowledge allows us to fine-tune and optimize performance, safety, and comfort for future lab designs directly within their digital twin.”
Applying findings from the Siemens laboratory ventilation study to lab ventilation upgrades
Based on insights from the laboratory ventilation study, Siemens has expanded its Smart Lab Ecosystem to support adaptable lab environments up to biosafety level 2. For lab managers, the findings reinforce several operational priorities:
- Prioritize laboratory airflow control over maximum air volume
- Evaluate lab ventilation systems based on flexibility and responsiveness
- Use digital modeling to reduce design time and improve long-term performance
As laboratories balance safety, sustainability, and expansion, this laboratory ventilation study positions ventilation strategy as a key lever for resilient, future-ready lab operations.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
