Industrial Laboratory
Industrial Laboratory Construction Built for Safety, Quality Control, and Mission-Critical Performance
Industrial laboratories are not generic industrial spaces. They are controlled environments where safety, accuracy, and reliability directly impact operations, compliance, and decision-making.
At The McDonnel Group, we specialize in industrial laboratory construction for owners operating in high-risk, highly regulated environments. From control laboratories embedded within active plants to specialized testing and analysis facilities, our teams understand that laboratory construction leaves no room for shortcuts.
Every detail matters. Every system must perform. And every phase must be guided with discipline.
A Proven Guide for Complex Laboratory Environments
Industrial laboratory projects introduce layers of complexity beyond standard industrial construction, including:
- Hazardous materials and process-adjacent risks
- Specialized MEP, lab gasses, and controls systems
- Strict inspection, documentation, and turnover requirements
- Construction within operating plants and secure facilities
The McDonnel Group has spent decades building in environments where safety incidents, downtime, or rework are unacceptable. Our role is to guide owners through these complexities with foresight, coordination, and an unwavering focus on risk reduction.
Real-World Industrial Laboratory Experience
McDonnel’s industrial laboratory expertise is grounded in real, field-tested projects.
Marathon Control Laboratory
The McDonnel Group delivered a control laboratory facility supporting refinery operations, requiring close coordination with plant personnel, strict safety controls, and precise integration of building systems within an active industrial environment. The project demanded disciplined planning, sequencing, and execution to maintain operational continuity while delivering a high-performance laboratory space.
SNF Emulsions Control Room & Support Spaces
For SNF Emulsions, McDonnel constructed a control room facility supporting critical industrial processes. While distinct from a laboratory, this project requires the same level of systems coordination, safety planning, and precision as lab environments, particularly where process monitoring, sensitive equipment, and operator reliability are paramount.
Shell QM Lab
We transformed 21,560 square feet of lab space within Shell’s active refinery, upgrading it with 34 fume hoods, 11 different gases (Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Helium, Carbon Dioxide, Argon, Acetylene, High Pressure Nitrogen, Oxygen, Liquid Nitrogen, Compressed Air, and Vacuum), and new lab tables to support ongoing research and testing. Construction was sequenced around live systems, requiring precise coordination and execution in a high-risk environment to maintain safety and schedule.
In addition, The McDonnel Group has completed several confidential industrial laboratory projects for owners who require discretion due to proprietary processes, security concerns, or regulatory sensitivity. That trust is earned and protected through consistent performance and professionalism.
Specialized Industrial Laboratory Capabilities
- Control laboratories supporting plant and refinery operations
- Process, quality control, and analytical laboratories
- Chemical and materials testing facilities
- R&D and pilot laboratories
- Laboratories integrated into active industrial campuses
- Production laboratories
Planning Is the Foundation of Successful Lab Construction
Laboratory performance is determined long before construction begins. McDonnel’s Plan • Build • Deliver process is designed to identify risks early and eliminate downstream surprises.
PLAN | Preconstruction for Industrial Laboratories
This front-end discipline is essential when working near live processes and sensitive environments.
- Early collaboration with owners, engineers, safety, and operations teams
- Constructability reviews focused on lab systems and equipment interfaces
- Hazard identification and mitigation planning (Blast resistant)
- Procurement strategies for long-lead equipment and specialty systems
- Sequencing plans that protect adjacent operations and personnel
BUILD | Construction in Control
Most industrial laboratories are built within or adjacent to operating plants. McDonnel’s field teams are trained to execute safely in these conditions.
- Strict adherence to plant safety and access protocols
- Members of the DISA Consortium
- TWIC-credentialed, safety-trained workforce
- Precise coordination of mechanical, electrical, controls, and life-safety systems
- Clean, controlled work zones to protect sensitive environments
- Continuous communication with owner representatives and operations staff
DELIVER | Performance You Can Trust
Laboratories must work as intended from day one. McDonnel emphasizes disciplined commissioning and closeout to ensure confidence at turnover.
- Coordination of system testing and commissioning
- Support through inspections and regulatory closeout
- Thorough documentation and owner training
- Verification that the lab meets design intent and operational needs
Our objective is to deliver progress without disrupting production, safety, or compliance. The result: reduced startup risk, minimized downtime, and long-term reliability.
Safety Is Non-Negotiable in Laboratory Construction
With more than 5,900 consecutive safe days and an EMR well below industry average, McDonnel Group’s safety culture is proven in the most demanding environments.
On industrial laboratory projects, safety includes:
- Project-specific hazard planning
- Specialized training and certifications
- Enhanced PPE and monitoring protocols
- A culture where anyone can stop work if conditions are unsafe
For owners, this translates directly into reduced risk, improved schedule reliability, and peace of mind.
Your Guide to Industrial Laboratory Construction
When laboratories support critical testing, control, and operational decisions, the margin for error disappears. You need a construction partner who understands the stakes and leads with discipline.
McDonnel Group brings clarity, control, and confidence to industrial laboratory construction, guiding complex projects from early planning through commissioning with safety and precision at the core.