In most laboratory settings, any changes are going to need to last for the long-term. Whether you are creating a brand-new lab or making changes to an existing one, lab furniture is key. You need furniture that will work for many years to come, so certain features or aspects need to be considered thoroughly before a purchase is made. Check out the five factors we list below to get started with a successful laboratory furniture search.
Quality
Lab furniture manufacturers use materials that are meant to last for several years, such as metal or wood. You should expect a piece to last for 15 years or more, so purchasing quality furniture is imperative. How do you know that the furniture you are considering is of the highest quality? Look for manufacturing standards on the furniture. When you see the Underwriters Laboratory, Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association and/or the American National Standards Institute/Business and Institutional Furniture Manufactures Associations seals, you known the piece is constructed well and with quality materials.
Timing
It is important to note the timing in which furniture can be delivered. If you are customizing a furniture order, you need to ensure it can be produced and shipped in a timely manner. It is not uncommon for a customer to order a piece of furniture and forget to ask about shipping time. This can take weeks or even months to complete. If you are adding lab cabinets to your space, be sure to fully understand delivery times, particularly if you are on a tight deadline!
Flexibility
For a lab to be successful, there must be flexibility in the space. With mobile furnishings, you can move about with ease. Consider how you can add mobile aspects to your furniture selections. Mobile tables and case goods are a perfect option to add to your lab as it allows for employees to easily move from one workstation to another. Also consider how accessories can come into play. Shelving, cabinetry, keyboard trays and other accessories are elements that can easily be added later to create a more flexible space.
Customization
When working with a quality lab furniture manufacturer, you can customize your order to your liking. This could include custom sizing for furniture, custom paint colors or unique features in the design of the piece. But keep in mind, customization comes at a cost in both time and money.
Because every lab is different, customization provides an element that individuals can easily use to their advantage. Having the ability to customize your furnishings will ensure that your lab will operate as you need it to without any issues. You have a say in the design which is beneficial to the work completed in your lab.
Tech Components
Lastly, it is important to consider tech components in the lab. Consult with the distributor on how to meet your utility needs in the lab. This can include hiding cords and wires as well as conduit within the lab space. You want each work area to be neat and clean, with no exposed wiring or pipes.
Contact us today to learn more about how our lab furniture can create the perfect space for your work needs.
Your choice for laboratory cabinets and countertops are two of the most significant furniture decisions you can make for your laboratory. These furniture pieces are tasked with handling most of the everyday duties; therefore, they encounter most of the wear and tear that takes place in your lab. Understanding what types of materials are used is important for choosing a furniture product that will assist your application for many years to come. Before making your decision, here are some helpful tips to consider:
Exposure
Consider what your laboratory cabinets and countertops, as well as other furniture, are exposed to? When making your laboratory furniture decisions, this is a key question to ask yourself. Certain materials need to be chosen to adjust to the chemicals as well as to the demands of exposure. For exceptional chemical resistance, it is very likely you will need to decide on metal or phenolic lab furniture and countertops. Allow the expected exposure to direct your laboratory cabinet and countertop selections.
Always Ask Questions
Asking questions can help point lab furniture specialists to your specific needs, and what better fits in terms of laboratory cabinets, casework, and counters that are recommended. In other words, asking questions ensures that you get the lab furniture you need.
Budget Appropriately
The key in your laboratory development is making the most of your budget. Spending too little on lab furniture and countertops can result in your lab not being fit for your work needs. Then again, spending a large portion of the budget on excessively expensive material, limits possibilities in other areas of the lab. While expensive materials are demanded in some labs, many find ways to maximize their budget by speaking with lab furniture specialists who can assist them in selecting the correct pieces for their unique application while at the same time remaining budget sensitive.
Consider these tips when it comes time to choosing the right furniture for your lab. Contact us today to learn more about our products.
If you are a science geek or have a budding scientist at home, you have probably considered creating your own laboratory. Having a space dedicated to experimenting can be fun and is easier than you might believe. With a little planning and safety protocols followed, you can create an amateur science lab in a garage or empty room in your home. Consider the type of science you wish to dabble in before you begin building your lab, so you purchase the right equipment for your experiment needs.
Finding a Space
Before you can create a lab at home, you will need space to do so. Do you have a spare room that is currently unused or just storage space for extra items? Perhaps you have a garage that you do not park your car in, or you have a backyard shed that is large and empty enough for your science goals. Find the best space for your lab before you begin. You will need to have enough space for lab furniture and storage as well as have access to electrical outlets, so you can plug in equipment.
Think about the substances you might be using as well. Will the flooring in your space work for the projects you hope to complete? A few changes may need to be made before you can use the space. Always set up a lab away from common living areas, particularly the kitchen where meals are prepared for added safety.
Storage Space
Along with a lab room, you will also need storage space. Consider what type of chemicals and compounds you will be using as well as tools you will need. Flammable chemicals need a cool storage space while other chemicals can be sensitive to light and heat. Think about what type of storage you will need and ensure you have plenty of space to store the items you will be using in your experiments in a safe manner. You may need chemical resistant containers or other types of storage solutions to create a safe and secure laboratory setting.
Purchasing Equipment
Once you have your space and storage plans, it is time to purchase equipment. Basic lab equipment needs will include goggles, a fire extinguisher, and gloves for safety along with flasks, beakers, Petri dishes, funnels, thermometer, and a host of other equipment. You will also need furnishings like tables and cabinets. A mobile utility table is a great addition to any lab as it is helpful with moving lab equipment with ease.
Instead of having to move about the room for equipment or materials, you can have all your items in one place, ready to use when you need them. A good filing system should also be created so you can focus on taking notes and having your research at your fingertips.
For all your laboratory furniture and storage needs, contact our helpful staff. We are ready to assist providing you with the essential items you need to set up a successful laboratory.
At Catalina Laboratory Products, we are proud to offer you the finest selection of lab furniture and products available. From cabinets and workbenches to sinks and fume hoods, if your lab needs it, we have it, and at a reasonable and affordable rate. When it comes to safety, you have got nothing to fear. You can be as hard as you want on our products – they take a licking and keep on, well, standing upright and not collapsing. We are also especially proud of providing products specially designed to recommendations provided in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Our products are accessible to anyone and everyone.
Our philosophy is based on two straightforward concepts: Quality and Simplicity. At CatLabPro, we believe that quality should be available for anyone who wants it, not just those who are particularly well-funded. That is why we strive to provide the best products at the most affordable prices. We know you have more important things to spend your budget on, so we are here to provide you with the quality you need at prices you can afford. How can we pull this off? The answer is simplicity. Keeping it simple allows us to maintain our high standards for quality without expanding the cost. We work closely with our lab furniture manufacturer to limit our products to only the simplest and most functional designs – no expensive frills. Just superb, world-class products at a reasonable price. The philosophy of quality and simplicity resonates through everything we do here at Catalina Laboratory Products. We are proud to be the lab furniture supplier that offers the best high-quality merchandise at prices even the lowest budget projects can afford.
The Organized Lab Bench: What You Need to Know
A lab bench is a space where you probably spend most of your time at work. The bench is your home away from home so to speak, where you do all your daily tasks. Having an organized lab bench space will ensure that you can work correctly and efficiently throughout the day. The best way to have an organized space is to start from scratch. Clean off the lab bench surface, removing everything and starting from a fresh perspective. Follow the tips below to get your laboratory benches set for optimal efficiency.
Dominant Hand Organization
Begin your reset of the lab bench by placing tools you use on a regular basis on the side of your dominant hand. Tools and pipets among other items can be placed in this manner to make it easy for you to reach and use. Your trash bin should also be placed on this side of your workspace. Easily place trash in the bin instead of dirtying up your area.
Non-dominant Side
On the non-dominant side of your work bench, add the items you commonly use. This could be stock solutions and chemicals that you need for daily projects. Anything that you do not use daily should be placed on upper shelves instead of the work surface.
Add other items to this section including markers, scissors, wipes, labeling tape, etc. If you have drawers available, or organizational storage bins, place these miscellaneous items inside. Knowing where these materials are will help you to continue to work in an efficient manner.
After you have set up your work bench correctly, practice good habits. Be sure to place items back where they belong. Throw away disposable supplies as they accumulate. Do what you can to create a habit as you work. This will help to keep the space in good working order.
An Organized Lab
Overall, it is important to have an organized lab space. It can be easy to lose track of materials if the items you use most frequently are not put back in their place. Labs can run out of chemical supply and solutions when there is not a dedicated storage space for such items.
To ensure the workday runs smooth, built-in storage cabinets and additional extra storage solutions should be set up in the lab. Employees need to have individual responsibilities so that each section can be organized, and materials will not run out when needed. With everyone having a certain responsibility, items will be ordered on time and put in the right place.With quality organization, a lab can operate at a high level. Projects and experiments can continue without delay as the space is filled with everything needed to work. Employees do not spend time looking for lab equipment or chemicals because everything has its proper place. If your laboratory needs organization, consider how changes can be made to clean up the space. With the right furniture and commercial solutions, any lab can be fully functional. Contact our team today so that you can find solutions for your laboratory space.
FAQs
There are several strategies to increase your lab’s storage capacity:
– Utilize Vertical Space: Install shelves or cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling to take advantage of underused overhead space.
– Implement Rotating Storage: Rotating storage racks or carousels allow you to store more items in a compact footprint.
– Optimize Bench Space: Use lab storage bins, trays, and organizers to neatly store frequently used items within easy reach on your lab bench.
– Invest in Bulk Storage: Dedicated storage rooms or cabinets can house larger volumes of less frequently accessed supplies and reagents.
Keeping your main lab bench or central workspace organized is key for efficiency:
– Designate a weigh station area for balances and scales at eye level.
– Arrange common buffers, cell culture flasks, and other frequently used items within arm’s reach.
– Minimize clutter by moving seldom-used items to upper shelves or storage cabinets.
– Ensure there is enough open benchtop space to accommodate current projects without feeling cramped.
Proper inventory control and documentation are essential for a well-run lab:
– Maintain an accurate freezer inventory to quickly locate stored samples.
– Use physical lab notebooks in addition to digital records for redundancy.
– Designate a central file cabinet or storage area for important documents.
– Establish protocols for labeling and tracking chemical supplies, reagents, and consumables.
An organized lab saves time and reduces errors:
– Eliminate wasted “dead space” on benches and shelves.
– Train lab technicians on proper storage and retrieval of materials.
– Ensure adequate bulk storage for overflow supplies to replenish workstations.
– Design the layout to create a logical, streamlined workflow.
– Regularly audit the lab’s organization and make adjustments as needs change.
In most laboratories, a chemical fume hood is a piece of equipment that is installed to create a safe environment. Lab employees can work with hazardous chemicals in an enclosed space, safeguarding their wellbeing as well as others in the lab. Fume hoods are used to ensure a safe work environment. Fully understanding the importance of this piece of equipment can help laboratory employees stay safe and function properly.
Preventing Vapor Inhalation
The main reason why a fume hood is used in a laboratory is to stop the inhalation of toxic fumes. When employees breathe in hazardous fumes, it will cause the toxins to attach to the lungs or enter the bloodstream. Dizziness can occur as well as cause damage to other areas of the body. With a fume hood in place, dealing with volatile materials is safer, as the equipment creates a barrier between the harmful vapors and the lab personnel.
Ventilation
A fume hood that has been installed properly can provide localized ventilation for the space. There are different types of fume hoods that can be used, such as ducted or ductless models. A ducted hood will have ductwork attached to the hood that moves the dangerous vapors outside of the laboratory. A ductless hood will have filters that clean the exhaust air before recirculating it back into the laboratory space. It is important to install the appropriate fume hood that will function for the work being conducted in the lab.
Containing Spills
In a chemical fume hood, the work surface can contain spills. When it is properly functioning, and installed correctly, the unit will be able to contain any minor liquid spills. The hood will have a lip that will act as a catching area for spillages. This helps to protect other surfaces in the labs as spills will be limited to an enclosed space.
For the safety and integrity of the lab, lab fume hoods or several fume hoods should be installed, based on the size and workload of the laboratory. When extremely dangerous work must take place involving hazardous chemicals and other potential hazards, a fume hood is essential. This adequate form of protective equipment is needed so that lab personnel feel safe and secure when conducting experiments or testing.
When planning an installation, be sure to order the correct fume hood type, with proper ventilation methods and spill containment areas. With the proper setup, the fume hood will function for an extended period, protecting the hood user from harmful toxins and materials. To learn more about laboratory chemical fume hoods, give us a call today. Contact our team to find out the essential information on a new fume hood installation for your laboratory space or laboratory building.
FAQs
Fume hoods are designed to provide containment and ventilation for a wide range of hazardous chemicals, biological agents, and other dangerous fumes encountered in the laboratory. They allow lab personnel to safely handle volatile organic compounds, corrosive acids, and other irritating or toxic vapors. The level of protection provided by the fume hood depends on factors like the hood’s construction material (e.g. stainless steel), the type of filtration system, and the equipment’s overall performance. Proper use of a fume hood is a critical engineering control for mitigating exposure risks when working with hazardous materials.
Maintaining proper airflow and ventilation is essential for a fume hood to function as an effective safety device. This is typically measured by the hood’s face velocity, which should be within the recommended range, usually between 80-100 feet per minute (FPM). The presence of a magnehelic gauge or other hood performance indicator allows you to monitor the air velocity at the hood’s work opening. Additionally, the connected ductwork and exhaust fan must be properly sized and operating efficiently to pull contaminated air out of the workspace. Regular inspection and testing by maintenance personnel can verify the fume hood is providing adequate ventilation and containment of hazardous vapors.
While a properly functioning fume hood provides an important engineering control, it does not eliminate the need for appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). When working with hazardous chemicals or other biohazardous material inside a fume hood, lab personnel should don impermeable gloves, a lab coat, and safety goggles at a minimum. In some cases, respiratory protection such as a respirator may also be required if the fume hood does not provide adequate containment on its own. The specific PPE needed will depend on the level of risk and health hazards associated with the materials being handled. Consulting safety guidelines and manufacturer recommendations can help determine the optimal personal protection when using a laboratory fume hood.
Regular cleaning and maintenance are crucial for ensuring a fume hood continues to function as a reliable safety device. This includes wiping down interior surfaces with appropriate cleaning agents to remove any chemical residue or particulate buildup. The hood’s baffles, fans, and ductwork should also be inspected and serviced per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Filters on ductless fume hoods need to be changed at the specified intervals to maintain their efficacy in trapping hazardous vapors. Additionally, the air velocity and overall hood performance should be tested periodically by qualified maintenance personnel. Proper upkeep helps maximize the fume hood’s containment capabilities and extends its useful life in the laboratory.
When choosing a fume hood, key factors to evaluate include the specific hazardous materials, chemicals, and dangerous fumes that will be used in the workspace. This will help determine the appropriate hood type, such as a ducted model for direct exhaust or a ductless version with specialized filters. The size and layout of the laboratory space, as well as any local environmental regulations, should also be taken into account. Stainless steel construction may be preferred over other materials for enhanced durability and resistance to corrosion. Additionally, considering the hood’s air velocity, containment capabilities, and overall performance indicators like a magnehelic gauge can ensure the selected unit provides the maximum level of protection for lab personnel working with hazardous substances.
Everyone needs a sturdy surface to work on. Whether you are typing at a computer or shaping wood, 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 plywood or particleboard. These types of benches can get the job done. However, they cannot 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.
On the higher end of laboratory workbenches, you will be able to find benches constructed from metal. However, not all metal laboratory workbenches are made the same. Steel lab casework also has varying degrees of quality. It is necessary to not only look at the type of metal that make up these benches, but also how the metal is bonded together. Metal benches lacking quality are often welded together by a method known as spot welding. Spot welding is a quick and cheap way to fuse metal together, but it won’t last as long as other methods. For superior quality steel lab casework to last, the manufacturer must fully weld the pieces together. This welding method lends itself to a rigidity that spot welding cannot compete with.
If you are in a hurry to get a bench, you may want to opt for a lower quality bench. However, this is not the best idea. Because these benches do not last, you will end up paying more over time. A fully welded steel lab casework bench is an investment rather than a disposable item. The initial investment you put towards a higher quality bench will end up costing you less in both money and time. Another benefit of a steel bench is that you will have higher worker productivity because your lab will not be without a bench as often.
Where to Find Steel Casework Laboratory Benches
Catalina Laboratory Products offers the highest quality steel casework laboratory benches available. We aim to fit the needs of our clients, so we will be able to find a bench that fits your timeline and budget. Besides quality construction, our laboratory workbenches have other features that make them worth the investment. All our benches have lab grade 5-knuckle institutional stainless-steel hinges, nylon capped floor glides, lipped interiors for dust protection, and a fully enclosed toe space. If you would like to invest in a quality laboratory bench, look at what we have to offer. You can also contact us by phone if you have any questions.
When it comes to creating a laboratory, it is important to have the right storage solutions. From the stockroom to the workspace, you need to have the right storage solutions in place for the laboratory to run smoothly. Below are a few tips on storage solutions as well as options for setting up your lab space for quality control as well as productivity.
Stockroom Organization
If you have a laboratory, then you most likely have a stockroom or space where you store all your necessary supplies. You do not want to waste time by running out of what you need or spend more money because you duplicated orders for the stockroom. With the right organization in place, you can improve your purchase orders and have everything you need in its rightful place, ready to use.
When organizing your stockroom, take advantage of labels and shelving. Have a place for every chemical, cleaning agent, etc. that you need, so that everyone in the lab can access items and know when something needs to be reordered. It can be helpful to have a list or notepad for jotting down items needed with the manager looking at the list every week and reordering supplies in a timely manner.
Storage Options for your Lab
In a lab, the environment needs to be controlled for experiments to work and testing to be done correctly. Everything should have its place and no changes made unless everyone is on board. The day will run smoothly if all lab techs know where tools and supplies are located. In a lab space, your storage options may be limited. Instead of choosing bulky cabinetry, consider going vertical. Shelving or wall mounted cabinets can be a great addition to offer you storage without taking up floor space. You can easily run shelving along the walls, having somewhere for your supplies to rest in-between experiments.
Going vertical can be very helpful when it comes to storing supplies. From wall shelving to tall shelving units, going up can help to take up less floor space and provide the storage solutions you need for the lab.
Dealing with Clutter
It is also important to clean out the laboratory every few months to give yourself more space for supplies. Look at your stockroom and lab storage. Are there items that you are no longer using or perhaps something is out of date? If so, chuck it. Do not hold on to items that only create clutter in the lab. If you have broken equipment or obsolete equipment, get rid of it. There is no reason for the equipment to be taking up space that you could use for other things.
Staying organized and cleaning up the clutter on a regular basis will ensure the lab operates smoothly day in and day out. Take a look around your lab and see what changes you can make that will be helpful. Contact us today to learn more about storage solutions like shelving and wall mounted cabinetry that can be beneficial to your business.
A productive and efficient laboratory workspace demands high-quality laboratory products and furniture. With laboratory furniture being such a large investment, it is important to purchase from lab furniture suppliers that can provide durable and long-lasting laboratory products. High-quality lab furniture that you can count on can be the difference between a smooth, productive workday and a long, miserable one. Here are some simple ideas to help you update your lab furniture.
Replace Worn Countertops
Before heavily investing in new lab furniture, you may want to consider replacing the countertops. If the current casework is in pretty good shape, but the counters are damaged due to spills and accidents it might be a good idea to just replace them. Replacing worn countertops will instantly renew the appearance of your lab and restore functionality while being extremely budget friendly. Many lab furniture suppliers offer new countertops at a fraction of the price of all new casework.
Modular Lab Furniture
As laboratory technology continues to develop at a lightspeed pace the result is many labs are converting to modular laboratory furniture. Modular furniture is very adaptive and can be reconfigured quickly to allow for new methodologies and advancements in current technology. With modular laboratory products, you can be sure that your lab is always set up and running as efficiently as possible.
Add Accessories
Many labs experience a severe lack of storage space which leads to inefficiency. A great way to combat this is to add shelving and other accessories to existing workspaces. By adding more storage space, you can free the clutter from the lab bench resulting in more productivity and fewer accidents. Adding shelves or wall-mounted overhead cabinets can help to increase storage and can immediately enhance safety and increase workflow.
Add Caster Wheels
Installing caster wheels onto existing furniture can be a simple and inexpensive upgrade for your lab. Casters help by adding easy mobility of existing lab furniture as needs or workflow changes. They can make it easy to reconfigure your lab to accommodate a new procedure or new laboratory products. Caster wheels can add flexibility to your current setup for an exceedingly small investment.
Summary
As you can see some small improvements can make a huge difference in the lab environment. When seeking out lab furniture suppliers be sure that they can provide high quality and industry-leading laboratory products. When looking for the best in the business, look no further than CatLabPro. “We believe in quality that is available when you want it, at a price that doesn’t break your budget.” Contact us to find out how we can help update your lab today!
If you are lucky enough to be getting lab furniture, you are faced with a dilemma. Should you buy steel lab furniture from lab furniture manufacturers, or should you get wood? Any lab furniture supplier will tell you that great lab furniture can be made with both steel and wood. In fact, over 80% of all lab furniture is made from either steel or wood. How do you choose? We have some thoughts.
The Vote for Steel
Not that long ago, lab furniture suppliers did not want to make lab equipment out of steel. The feeling was that for lab equipment, wood was best. However, steel lab furniture has made a comeback in a big way. There are many different types of steel you can buy for your lab furniture, such as stainless steel, powder-coated steel, and steel with chemical laminate. All these different types of steel mean that lab furniture manufacturers can offer you a product that will not peel, crack, or chip. It also will not corrode, which is important in many labs. Steel is also strong and rigid, which means it can last for years, no matter how much daily abuse it gets. Another important thing to consider is that steel is easy to clean and disinfect with soap, water, and disinfectant.
The Case for Wood
Wood is a wonderful material for labs that are not wet labs. If you have a lab where you use a lot of liquids with a lot of humidity and little ventilation, wood is not what you need. However, wood is great for dry labs, or labs where IT is done, as well as in an engineering lab. Wood is easy to clean as well, there are a lot of products that will easily clean wood. Perhaps the reason many people buy wood is because of the way it looks and the warmth it provides. There is nothing that is as beautiful in a work environment as wood.
Which One Is Best?
Whether you choose wood or steel, make sure that your choice is a good one for your lab. If you do a lot of liquid experiments, high heat experiments, or corrosive chemical experiments, you may need to think about steel. If you are a dry lab, and you do not use corrosive materials, you can go with wood lab cabinets. Whichever you choose, get a product from a manufacturer you trust, so that your lab equipment will serve you well for years to come.