Why is Laboratory Casework So Important?

Any lab is designed for the purpose of doing design, research, or investigations in a controlled environment. In many cases, people are relying on the preciseness of the experiments in order to design new products, medications, equipment, or materials for people to use to make their lives better. Because a laboratory requires precise measurements, the furniture in labs have to be multipurpose. Both laboratory work benches and laboratory casework are vital for lab operations to run smoothly.

The Multipurpose Features of Lab Equipment

Every lab, no matter what their purpose, is designed to conduct experiments. Often, multiple people are working in the same lab, so space is at a premium. Laboratory work benches represent the area where designs or experiments are done. Some laboratory work benches look like large tables, while others look like a desk with shelving. Laboratory casework is a series of cabinets used for storage. The casework may be a large standalone cabinet, or it may be located above a workstation.

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What Should My Laboratory Desk Look Like?

Most people who think of desks think about a large wooden desk with pictures of kids or a spouse, with perhaps a coffee cup or a plant. However, laboratory desks or laboratory workstations are different than a regular desk would be, because of the nature of the work. If you are working in a laboratory, or you manage one, there are things you need to think about when you are designing space for a professional to work. Here are some of the items you need to consider when you are designing a workspace.

What Kind of Work Will Be Done?

Some labs have a laboratory desk that is separate from the work area, while others have laboratory workstations where all the work is done. You need to think about the kind of work that is done in the lab. The most common type of laboratories are chemical ones. Chemical labs need specialized work areas for people to experiment. If you are working with chemicals, you will need a surface that is easily cleaned and impervious to chemicals. A wood desk would not be suitable here, because chemicals can cause deterioration of the wood, or it can rot. A better surface would be stainless steel or powder coated steel, as they clean easily and are impervious to most chemicals.

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The Difference between Good and Bad Laboratory Workbenches

Everyone needs a sturdy surface to work on. Whether you’re typing at a computer or shaping metal, a reliable work surface can increase productivity and help you make a better product. And just like a writer or wood worker, a lab technician can benefit from a good work surface. Quality laboratory workbenches are important when dealing with both volatile and non-volatile compounds. However, you may be wondering, “What’s the difference between a good laboratory bench and a bad one.” Fortunately, knowing the difference is easier than you think.

Laboratory Benches: How to Select the Right One

Manufacturers make laboratory workbenches at varying degrees of quality. On the lower end, you may see benches made of flimsy plywood that’s been glued together. These types of benches can get the job done. However, they can’t stand up to the abuse of daily use for very long. These cheaper benches may only last a year or two before you need to replace them. They may also become wobbly over time, making it more difficult to work on.

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Benefits of Stainless-Steel Lab Cabinets

Laboratories are not all identical. There are some with basic requirements, Electro Static Dissipative requirements, or clean room requirements. Still, there are some labs that require microbial protection or sterilization processes for the work they do. Specialized laboratory furniture is required for these labs. In these laboratory environments, stainless steel lab wall cabinets and furniture are the “must have” option. The reason this material is considered a go-to choice for these labs is the unique properties it provides making it the perfect fit.

Top Benefits of stainless steel Include:

Fungal and Bacterial Resistance

Stainless steel lab wall cabinets have a non-porous work surface, which means that no fungus, mold, bacteria, or liquids can penetrate it. There is nowhere for fungi, bacteria, and dirt to hide. When practicing regular routine sanitation processes, there is a significant reduction in the risk of cross-contamination or germs spreading.

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Creating a Smart Work Bench

It has often been said that a messy work bench is a clear sign that a scientist is at work. While this is a true statement, it is more beneficial to learn how to have a smart work bench, one that is organized and laid out properly. The work day will be more enjoyable and less prone to errors, as you will have an organized area in which to complete your daily tasks. It takes time and energy, but once you figure out how to create a work bench that functions smartly, you will find the day runs smoother than ever before!

Starting Tips

To begin, it is important to set up your work bench in the right manner. This will include keeping the tools on the side of the bench where your dominant hand rests. This creates easy access. So, if you are left-handed, choose the left side for your tools.

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The Benefits of Mobile Lab Tables

For a laboratory to function correctly, certain aspects must be considered. The use of the laboratory, including research and experiments to be worked on, will determine what type of tools and components are needed. One lab furniture piece that is a must in most laboratories is a mobile lab table. With a mobile table, researchers have access to many benefits, one of which is mobility. Easily transport materials from one area of the lab to another with ease. Learn more about the benefits of mobile lab tables below. 

Mobility

Today’s laboratories are focusing on mobility as a desired feature for everyday needs. With mobile furniture such as lab tables, researchers are more flexible with their use of lab space as well as instrumentation. With mobility, researchers can easily move from one area to another without having to disconnect and then reconnect instruments used. 

Maintenance and service times are decreased as the entire unit can be moved instead of having to move each component being used. With mobile lab tables, the workplace will have better functionality. Tables can be customized in sizes and features to meet the demands of your lab. 

Form and Function

A standard table offers a simple form and function. A table without mobility will have to remain in one area unless physically moved with the help of others. When using a standard table in a laboratory setting, you must move the components on the table to a new area of the lab in order to continue with your work. With a mobile table, you have more form and function capabilities. You can simply move the table to the area of the lab you need to move to. This take seconds instead of many minutes fooling with moving components and materials. 

The day to day operations is streamlined as you can simply move your workspace rather than move components to a new work area. This makes for much higher productivity levels in the lab, leading to more discoveries and less interruption within the workday. 

Storage

Mobile tables also offer a component for storage as well as mobility benefits. You can easily store materials used within the mobile table. When you come back the next day, you have everything ready, in one place. You are able to get back to work and continue your experiments and research with everything at the ready. You can even leave the table in the area you were working and come back to what you were doing quickly. 

In a lab without mobile tables, you would most likely have to clean up your workspace before ending the day and this takes time. With mobile tables, you can have everything you were working on in one place, ready to use the next day. This creates a cleaner workspace as well as contains all components of your project within easy reach. 

If you are currently using traditional tables with no mobility, consider adding mobile tables to the lab. You will find that the simple addition of mobility adds a level of productivity to the lab space. Contact our company today to learn more about mobile tables and how you can order a few for your lab.

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Lab Cabinetry: Why the Material and Sizing Matters

Creating a productive lab takes time and effort. One of the major factors at play is storage. Cabinetry plays a large role in the productivity levels of a laboratory due to the fact that chemicals and other components need to be stored properly. With proper storage, researchers can find what they need, when they need it, in order to complete projects or experiments with ease. 

Durability 

Cabinetry needs to be durable and constructed in a way to provide long-term use. When setting up your lab, you do not want to have to continue to refurbish your space. You want to choose cabinetry that will last for many years, easily used in a variety of ways or moved when needed. For clean rooms, stainless steel cabinetry is best. The work surface will be easy to clean, and the material is strong, lasting for many years of service. 

Storage Capabilities

Steel cabinetry has long been the go-to option for laboratories around the world. With steel, you have a durable material that can provide quality storage for all sorts of materials. Storing components in a lab must be done with care. Steel lab cabinets can be installed in a variety of shapes and sizes to tend to your particular lab needs. Cabinets are needed to cut down on clutter and provide an organization within the workspace. With a good cabinet installation, you can easily keep track of materials, ordering more when needed, based on good organization. 

Safety is also an aspect to consider. Any chemicals need to be stored below shoulder height. Smaller cabinets will need to be used so that the chemicals can be accessed with ease without the threat of dropping or spilling due to height restrictions. 

Overall, steel cabinets are a great choice for a lab environment. With many sizes and configurations to choose from, you can easily create a lab that will work well for your everyday needs. Contact us today to see how we can configure a proper cabinet setting for your workspace.

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How to Choose a Laboratory Fume Hood

Lab furniture, fume hood construction essentially involves four components, individually is decreased ark and good, mesa and extra assistance. To before the selection and acquisition are to require in these four components, the Details of the have to select to match oneself experimentation with fume hood:

First of all, how to choose the laboratory fume hood low ark:

A: The stock is inexpensive, gas, electricity, water and other risky.

B. In case utilized from the experiments of volatile medication, you want to decide to have air-conditioning function.

C. Material prison isn't powerful, may fire, can withstand the lab of chemical erosion;

The second plan how to choose the laboratory fume hood:

Inside a fume hood, and that among the most ordinary has three versions: floor type, desktop, standard type, when choosing a strategy to consider:

A. See picking epoxy resin plate or immunity to Bert to get fume hood lining stuff;

B. Should select adaptive control system and variable air volume or fixed air volume;

C. The hood opening place isn't acceptable for lab space;

D. Wind speed cannot fulfill the requirements.

Third how to choose the right air-counter:

A. Is there a hole for a reservoir and a cup;

B. Terminal design cannot accommodate to the situation in our laboratory;

C. Table of components can meet test specifications for material;

D. Is designed to restrict leakage of liquid dish-shaped protecting side

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Trends Found in Modern Labs

Today’s modern lab is quite different from the labs of yesterday. These modern labs obviously have newer equipment, but it goes beyond that. The layout and design of the modern lab have evolved to meet the needs of today’s teams. Here are a few things you might find in modern labs that you should consider including in your own workspace if you’re planning a renovation.

Work Has Shifted to be more Team-Based

Many different industries have seen a shift to more team-based work over the years, including the lab. Today’s scientific experiments, research, and testing are more social tasks than they once were. Scientists often work together on these projects, sharing research and ideas. Having a social space where that’s possible or labs large enough to accommodate these teams is becoming more of a necessity. These spaces allow people to collaborate on projects more easily, bringing their expertise together.

Open labs have become more common, too. These labs do more than just bring teams into the same space - they can save a considerable amount of money, too. They allow your scientists to share equipment, staff, and lab workbench space. Because space is shared, it’s inherently more flexible and customizable. This lets you more easily adapt the space to future projects that have different needs.

They’re Green

Modern labs have incorporated more energy-efficient equipment. This helps you save money on operating costs, plus this equipment is often cheaper or no more expensive than other options. This sustainable equipment can also help make your lab safer. One example of this type of more energy-efficient technology can be found in the laboratory fume hood. Newer hoods can be turned off when not in use to save on electricity.

Even the flooring can be made more environmentally friendly. Instead of epoxy flooring, more and more labs are using synthetic rubber combined with bio-based flooring. This flooring is incredibly durable, resistant to spills, and is ecologically better than epoxy.

If you’re in need of new lab furniture for your modern office, we’re here to help. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

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Renovating Your Lab

Does your lab need a makeover? After years of use (or if you’ve purchased an old lab), it might be time for a renovation. Like renovating your home, renovating your lab does require some thought and planning before the hammers start to swing. If you’re thinking about a renovation, here are a few tips.

What You’re Planning Is Wrong

Okay, so your designs aren’t wrong for now, but they may not be what you need later on down the road. In as little as a few years, you may be working on a project that has different requirements, and your renovated lab just isn’t right for it. To help counter this, design your renovation to include flexible workspace. Make everything as modular as possible so it can be reconfigured as needed. Some things, such as a laboratory fume hood, may be permanently in place, but you can plan everything else around them.

More Isn’t Always More

One of the mistakes many people make in renovating a space (any space, not necessarily a lab) is that they try to fit more into a smaller area. For lab workers, this often means that their lab workstation space shrinks. This might allow you to fit more equipment in, but it also means your workers are now more confined. They may not be as productive or as efficient as a result. Always make sure everyone has the space they need, even if it means you can’t fit something new into the area.

Ask Your Lab Workers about their Needs

Another common mistake some lab owners or upper management teams make is that they don’t ask the people in the lab what they need. These are the individuals who should have the most input into your renovation plans, not the least. They’re working in the space every day, and they know what’s working and what isn’t. Make sure to include them in any discussion about renovation.

Need some new lab furniture for your renovated space? Contact us today and we’ll help you with all of your furniture needs.

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Things to Think About When Picking a Lab Furniture Manufacturer

When it comes time to decide on new lab furniture, you need to make sure you pick the best manufacturer around. Not only does the company need to have the lab furniture you need, but they need to make a type and style that works for your specific setting. Here are some of the most important considerations you should make prior to picking the right manufacturer for you.

How Does Their Price Compare With Others?

Typically, you never want to go with the highest or the lowest prices. You want to stick somewhere in the middle. This means they know what the product costs, know how to make it in that price range, and are still trying to be competitive. These are all good things for you.

Can You Compare Their Safety Standards?

This should be a more important factor than the price. Safety standards are slightly different in different technological and research areas, so you want to compare what type of standards are met by the companies you are considering. Make sure all of your required safety standards are met by the lab furniture you are considering. If not, move on!

Quality and Materials Are Also Important

You need to also think about what type of quality you get for the price. When you have your lab furniture manufacturers narrowed down to the ones that will meet safety specs, you then need to consider what you get for your buck. You want the best quality product, and the longest-lasting materials you can get. Even if you pay a little more now, if that product lasts twice as long, it is still a better deal.

For more tips on how to pick out the right lab furniture manufacturer, contact us. We will help you with any part of the process you would like.

Questions to Ask Yourself to Keep Up with Lab Workstation Safety

Making sure that your lab workstation is always safe is an incredibly important task. If you do not keep the area safe, it could hurt you or someone else. When you want to look around and see if your area is clean, there are a few questions you should ask. Here are some of the most important questions to ask to ensure workplace, particularly lab workstation, safety.

Keep These Questions In Your Mind When Examining Lab Workstation Safety

First, you should always look at the lab workstation and the area around it. Do you see any materials that could hurt you or anyone around you that should not be there? This can include things on the floor, spilled chemicals, or even papers that could obscure your view. If any of these exist, remedy them before starting anything else.

Next, you need to look and see if the area is lit well enough. Can you clearly see everything on and around your workstation? This is for your safety, and the safety of anyone working near your lab workstation. Lighting is crucial when it comes to performing any type of research safely. If you want to be sure your results are accurate, make sure your lighting is as bright as possible.

Then, you need to find out where everything is located. Do you know where the emergency exits, eyewash stations, and safety showers are located? Can you get to those locations easily, so if you do experience any type of an accident, you will not fall on the way there? The safety features of the room must be known before any type of research should begin. If you cannot see any of the prominent safety features, then you should not be doing any type of research in that room.

Finally, do you see any issues within the room that make you feel as though your workstation is not safe? If so, then those issues must be dealt with before proceeding. This should include electrical concerns, like not having the right types of electrical outlets and cords. This should also include distractions. If the room is too warm, too loud, or there are too many people shuffling in and out, this could lead to distractions. Those are not safe for you, or anyone around you.

Always Focus on Lab Workstation Safety

There are a lot of components that become a part of lab workstation safety, and they do not always sit right there on your workstation. Make sure to look around your immediate area first, and then surrounding area next for anything that could cause problems. You want to always make sure you know where all safety equipment is located, and make sure that you follow all safety procedures, such as wearing the right clothing, shoes, and eye protection. For more help on ensuring lab workstation safety, contact us here. We can help make sure that you have everything set up to be as safe as possible.

Decreasing the Noise of Your Lab Could Be Done by Flipping Your Lab Furniture

The level of noise in most labs is beyond what anyone expects. They believe that the noise is similar to what they see on television, with one person doing quiet research in a library-type setting. However, this is terribly untrue in most situations. If your lab is as noisy as most, you may need to consider how you can reduce some of that distracting noise. Your choice of lab furniture could make a big difference in just how noisy your lab is when used.

Getting New Lab Furniture Can Really Help

If you still use old, squeaky lab workbenches, then this could be one area where extra noise is coming from. Each time those workbenches get used, they make more noise. Over time, they may begin to make noise from simply looking at them. By opting to get new, quieter lab workbenches, you may be able to cut a good amount of noise out of your lab.

Another area that can pose a high risk of increasing lab noise is old lab cabinets. The doors on those cabinets slam open if you open the door too fast, and slam shut unless you catch it in time to keep the noise down. Plus, half of the doors squeak when you open and close them. By going with quieter, and newer lab cabinets, you can cut down on this noise from all angles. You can even have doors that shut quietly on their own, making the slamming noise a thing of the past.

Fans and fume hoods are going to make some noise. That is simply the nature of the machine. However, when your equipment gets old, much of that noise increases. Go with a newer set of equipment when you can. Upgrade your fume hood, cooling fan, or compressor. This way, you get the best equipment possible, without the distracting noise that once made your work difficult to complete.

Dangers Associated with Noise Labs

If your lab furniture and equipment is noisy, some may not think of it as an issue. However, it is something you need to take seriously. The noisier your lab is, the more likely people are to get distracted or make mistakes. This can make your research not as accurate as it once was, if it becomes a regular problem. Take the steps to find out just how much noise is going on in your lab. If the levels are too high according to OSHA, it is time to make a few changes.

Having new, quiet lab furniture can make a big difference in the noise levels of your lab. Talk to us about what is going on, and let us make a few suggestions as to what type of new lab furniture could help. We can get you started with ways of decreasing the noise in your lab, one area at a time. Before you know it, your lab will be nearly as quiet as one on TV. Contact us today for more information.

Understanding Your Lab’s IEQ Problems.

Your lab’s indoor environmental quality or IEQ score shows how safe and user-friendly your workspace is. One way you can tell if your IEQ is fairly low is if your lab workers have complaints about the space. Everything from safety issues to noise can lower your IEQ, which is why you need to carefully consider your lab layout, furniture, equipment, and overall quality control. With all of the chemicals and potentially hazardous activities taking place in the lab on a regular basis, it’s vital that you keep your air quality, safety, and even employee comfort in mind. By fully exploring any IEQ problems your lab has, you can improve your overall quality and make your employees much happier.

The Ventilation System

Ventilation is incredibly important to your lab, especially when using chemicals. Laboratory fume hoods must be in place to pull away any dangerous fumes up and out of the lab. Even if you’re not using any potentially dangerous chemicals, you still need to cycle the air through the area regularly. Make certain fume hoods are installed and used correctly. Also consider the pressure in the lab verses the pressure in surrounding areas. If the lab is slightly less pressurized than the areas around it, chemical smells and fumes will not spread into the halls, offices, or other areas near the lab. This can be done by making certain that the amount of air leaving the lab is slightly greater than the amount being pumped into the space. Your HVAC specialists can create this pressure and should do so for every lab space.

The HVAC System as a Whole

Overall, your HVAC system plays a large part in your lab’s environmental quality. These systems have become more and more complex over the years, and today, they include many different sensors and other monitors. The location of your thermostat can play a large part in the IEQ of each lab. Because thermostats are typically installed before your lab furniture and storage solutions are, you need to take it into account when arranging your lab. If you know a lab workstation is going to be used to heat chemicals, that workstation should not be placed near the thermostat. Otherwise, the heat may interfere with the thermostat’s sensors, causing it to run unnecessarily.

You also want to make sure your employees understand how the thermostat works. Employees should be able to adjust the temperature in each lab as needed, but the controls need to be easily understood. Any lab rules such as a minimum or maximum temperature also need to be clearly posted near the thermostat.

Filters

Just as you would do with your own home HVAC filters, the filters in each lab need to be changed regularly. These filters catch dirt, pollen, and other debris, but the more this debris collects, the harder it is for clean air to be pushed through the filter. The maintenance team for the lab needs to make certain these filters are regularly cleaned. All air returns and other filter locations also need to be left uncovered and unblocked by lab wall cabinets and other furniture.

Ready to improve your lab’s IEQ score? We can help you with finding lab furniture, including fume hoods. Contact us today for more information.

Make Your Lab Ergonomic

One of the ways of keeping your employees happy and healthy is to make your lab ergonomic. When employees work in conditions that aren’t ergonomic or do the same actions over and over, it can lead to strain and stiffness in muscles. This, in turn, can eventually lead to long-term damage and discomfort. To combat this, lab administrators need to consider ways of making their labs more ergonomic and comfortable. Here are a few of the different things you can do to keep your employees comfortable and healthy.

Make Sure Workstations Are the Right Height

When working on computers or working on projects that require the employee to sit for long periods of time, the lab workstation needs to be at the proper height. If it’s too high or too low, eventually the worker will start to feel the strain. This is especially true if the person is working on a computer because long-term typing can strain the wrists, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Unfortunately, the most comfortable height is often different for different people. To counter this, invest in lab chairs that are adjustable. On the other hand, you can also invest in adjustable workstations. These stations can often convert from standard desks to standing desks. Many labs have found this type of lab workbench helpful, but you do have to be cautious. You want to make certain that the workstation is securely locked into place so it doesn’t move suddenly and spill chemicals.

Teach Good Posture

Many lab workers end up hunched over their workstations, but that only leads to a sore back and stiff shoulders. Teach your workers to always adjust their seat or desk height as needed. The person’s feet should be able to rest on the floor, while their back should be fully supported by the chair. When using something such as a biosafety cabinet, the person should adjust their chair height so that their armpits are about equal to the cabinet sash. This will make it much easier to use without needing to hunch over. Make sure employees understand how to achieve good posture. Otherwise, your investment in ergonomic lab furniture may go unused.

Keep Height in Mind

Installing your lab cabinets up too high can make it difficult for some employees to reach. This could lead to repeated stretching, which can cause problems. Chemicals, equipment, and other items that are regularly used should be kept at a height that is convenient for everyone and can easily be reached without the need to reach upwards or bend down.

It’s also a good idea to keep common safety items nearby so that employees can quickly grab spill supplies, gloves, and other items without getting up or moving across the lab.

Avoid Jury-rigging Solutions

Instead of using whatever you have on hand to create ergonomic solutions, take the time and money to purchase the right equipment, furniture, and other items. Making do with whatever you have on hand could actually cause more ergonomic issues than it solves.

Want to know more about ergonomic lab furniture? Contact us for more information.