Question Questions about the Labs, Magic and Tech.

Depends on the lab. There are a lot of different types and levels of lab in use, some of them large enough for a whole class... some of them private and only as large as needed for the equipment being used or the processes being developed. Some labs have strong security for privacy reasons. Some have strong security for safety ones. It is just as important for random wandering students not to walk into a clean room as it is for those same students to walk into somewhere that cutting edge IP protected tech is being developed. And, of course, the appropriate signage should be in place to indicate isolation and protocols.

Getting authorization from the Engineering Dept basically involves taking the entry level lab classes, where you are taught lab safety and what the different protocols mean. Useful classes in the sense that someone qualifying through them is basically getting all the core training it would take to be a lab tech somewhere. Ayla has NOT taken this course and that does restrict which labs he can visit. Same with Anna or anyone else who spends time with a friend who is on the Engineering track. Mostly the Engineering students are required to be aware of the mundanes in their midst and to avoid doing things that would get their friends in harms way.

A visitor's pass will only work if the lab is not currently locked into test protocols.

One big advantage that Whateley has over the real world is that a lot of testing and fabrication work can happen in sealed/isolated rooms using automation from separate control rooms that don't need any significant safety or material protocols. This isn't always used... after all, using powers sometimes involves a level of hands on that you can't get building with a Fabricator.

And yes, under certain conditions students would have to get security clearances to access certain levels of tech/research. Especially in working with the government/military. But you can do some NSF (national science foundation) grant research without any more security than a lock on a door. You're far more likely to need isolation for safety reasons than security ones under 'most' circumstances. But both have to be considered.