The Lab Zones Matrix

The lab zones matrix is a new AIM feature as of October 2026. The feature allows greater control over the distribution of lab spaces, fume hoods, equipment loads, and envelope loads in each building.

The matrix can be accessed via the Lab Zone Details tab within AIM's Building Parameters section.

A set of intelligent assumptions is used to allocate lab space, fume hoods, envelope loads, and equipment loads between six distinct lab zones within the energy model used by AIM. The assumptions use the quantities of lab space by type (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) from the LBT entry for the building.

Zone 6 is reserved for vivarium space, and most of its properties are fixed. The properties of lab zones 1-5, which should be used to represent all other types of lab space in the facility, are user-editable. If you adjust the values in the table, you must click on the Apply Zone Changes button (which appears below the table) to use those changes in the AIM calculations.

Useful Notes:

• The equipment loads correspond to the following average daytime space loads: Low: 2.5 W/sf (27 W/sq.m), Medium: 5.5 W/sf (59 W/sq.m), High: 9 W/sf (97 W/sq.m).
• Lab zones 1-5 are not intended to directly represent lab space usage type such as biology or physics. Within a biology lab building, for example, there are typically several different types of lab space: exterior open labs with lower equipment loads and low fume hood density, interior lab support spaces with higher equipment loads, some lab spaces with higher fume hood density, etc. Please adjust the matrix to reflect the lab spaces in your facility. Note that these allocations, particularly fume hood distributions, can have significant effects on savings results.
• The lab room minimum ventilation rates for Zones 1-5 are not individually adjustable.