Laboratory furniture refers to specialized equipment and furnishings designed specifically for use in scientific research, educational, medical, or industrial laboratories. These items are crafted with materials and features that meet the unique demands of a laboratory environment, which can include chemical resistance, durability, ease of cleaning, and safety considerations. Here's an overview of common types of laboratory furniture:
Lab Benches/Workstations: These are typically made from chemical-resistant materials like epoxy resin, stainless steel, or phenolic resin, and provide work surfaces for experiments, analysis, and other tasks. They may come with storage cabinets, drawers, and shelves underneath.
Fume Hoods: As mentioned earlier, fume hoods are ventilated enclosures that protect users from inhaling toxic fumes, gases, or particulates generated during experiments. They exhaust hazardous substances to the outside atmosphere or through specialized filtration systems.
Casework: This includes cabinets, shelving units, and storage closets used for storing chemicals, glassware, instruments, and other lab supplies. Casework is often modular and customizable to fit specific needs and space configurations.
Safety Cabinets: For handling biohazardous materials, flammable liquids, or radioactive substances, specialized safety cabinets are necessary. Examples include biological safety cabinets (BSCs) and flammable storage cabinets.
Ergonomic Seating: Laboratory chairs and stools are designed to be easy to clean, chemically resistant, and offer ergonomic support for long periods of sitting. They might feature adjustable height, seat tilt, and backrest adjustments.
Utility Services: Gas taps, electrical outlets, data ports, and water faucets integrated into benches or walls are essential utilities for conducting various experiments.
Mobile Carts & Tables: Mobile workstations allow flexibility in the lab, as they can be moved around easily to accommodate different procedures or to create more workspace when needed.
Eyewash Stations & Safety Showers: These are emergency response fixtures installed in labs where there's a risk of exposure to harmful substances. They allow for immediate rinsing of eyes or body in case of accidental contact with hazardous materials.
Reagent Racks & Storage Systems: Designed for efficient organization and storage of test tubes, pipettes, microplates, and other lab consumables.