Few people really think about the plumbing in their lab. It’s hidden away in the floors and the walls, so it’s not something you even see that often. But whenever you wash something down the sink, you’re trusting in the plumbing to take care of it. If everything has been installed correctly, it shouldn’t be a problem. However, if the wrong materials were used or something wasn’t installed as it should have been, you can end up with leaks, blockages, and backups. When this occurs in plumbing that only carries water, it’s an annoyance. When it happens in pipes that may be carrying dangerous chemicals, it becomes a safety hazard.
Types of Sinks
There are a number of different types of sinks to consider when you’re having your lab workstation installed. Some are made from polypropylene, while others are epoxy resin. Polypropylene, or polypro as it’s sometimes called, is very resistant to corrosion. You can safely wash some chemicals and acids down these sinks as long as the plumbing connected to it is also rated safe for such things. It’s never safe to simply pour chemicals down the drain, of course, but these sinks can be used to wash your hands or for accidental spills.
Stainless steel can also be used in lab workbench sinks, but you do have to be careful about the types of waste that will be used in the area. Stainless steel is not a good choice for use around some radioactive materials because it can actually reflect some radiation back.
Piping
Most people are familiar with cast iron or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping. Cast iron was used in homes and businesses for quite some time, though today PVC piping is much more common because it’s more durable. Both of these types of piping, however, are not suitable for labs. Lab furniture manufacturers understand this, which is why PVC is not used in lab sinks or other laboratory equipment that comes from a manufacturer that deals with lab equipment.
When building a new laboratory, this isn’t an issue. The contractors can be instructed to install piping made from polypropylene or CPVC, a special type of PVC that is designed to handle corrosion and high temperatures. For those who are moving into a completed building, however, it’s likely that the piping is made from standard PVC or cast iron unless the previous occupants had a lab. In this case, you’re going to need to have the lab plumbing updated. This can be costly, but it has to be done.
Sewer Systems
Chemical waste will eventually reach the city’s waste system. This sewer system has to be protected from chemicals as well, and it’s your responsibility to make certain that it is. Harmful chemical wastes and corrosive wastes must be treated before they can be released into the municipal waste system. Dilution basins or acid neutralizers need to be installed to make waste safe. Limestone chips are one of the most common methods of neutralizing corrosive wastes, although there are other methods, too.
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