A fume hood is a device that is enclosed except for exhaust purposes, drawing air inward by mechanical ventilation. The user will insert their hands and arms into the compartment to be able to control their exposure to substances that are hazardous. When working in a laboratory environment, the fume hood is needed to ensure that reliable engineering controls are in place. Workers are protected due to the features the hood provides.

Fume Hood Protections

So, how are employees protected with a fume hood? The hood will capture and contain vapors, gases, and dust as well as fumes that are associated with the experiment and draws them away from the user. These harmful components are removed as the air flows into the hood and out an exhaust system. The fume hood acts as a shield for the employee, as it has a clear sliding window, known as the sash, that helps to prevent injury and harm. The employee is protected from any splashing, fire, or small explosions that can happen inside the hood.

Examples of Fume Hood Types

There are several examples of fume hoods on the market today, offering laboratories customized options for their experiment needs. Take for example a ductless fume hood. This type of fume hood uses carbon filters to remove the fumes and vapors from the laboratory. Another example is a bypass fume hood which provides continuous air flow across the work surface even when the sash is closed. This type of hood allows the user to change the hood’s face velocity.

Finding the right fume hood for your laboratory environment is a must. Always install a fume hood that will function based on the needs of the lab for safety and performance. Contact us today to learn more about fume hood options and how we can assist you.

For decades, laboratory casework consisted of wood with soapstone countertops. Thankfully, new advancements in technology have allowed for more variety when it comes to your casework options. When it comes to furniture and lab casework, it is essential that you learn more about material options so that you can purchase the right items for your space. Read on to find out which materials are best for specific spaces to build a lab that works for you.

Laminate

In a laboratory setting, laminate is created with a melamine resin that creates a strong bond. Phenolic resin is added in and casework is constructed that is both decorative and functional. This material has a low cost and is easy to clean and maintain. On the negative side, this material is unable to withstand certain chemicals and bacteria and has low corrosive resistance.

Wood

This is the traditional choice for laboratory casework as it is durable and visually appealing. The material can withstand a certain amount of damage. However, wood will show discoloration, dents, chips, and scratches based on how the lab operates. This material is affordable and provides moderate durability. On the negative side, it has a low resistance to bacteria, fungus, chemicals as well as water and moisture.

Steel

Another option is to choose a steel material application for your casework. Most cabinetry created from steel is done so with furniture grade steel so that it has heavy-duty use. With steel, a special powder coat finish can be applied which helps to provide a resistance from chipping, peeling, and cracking. Steel casework is good for heavy duty applications, is more resistant to chemicals, scratching, bacteria, and fungus, and is moderately priced. On the negative side, it can dent on impact.

Stainless Steel

Go one step further with your steel application and use stainless steel to have a stronger, more resistant material for your casework and laboratory work benches. With a mix of nickel and chromium, stainless is resistant to corrosion and rust. The surface is non-porous, so spill all you like, and liquids will not be able to penetrate the material. When you want a high resistant to fungus, water, and moisture, this is the right casework material option. On the negative side, this is the most expensive material, it can scratch easily and dents easily on impact.

Consider Your Laboratory

When deciding on the material to use in your laboratory casework, you must think about how your space is used. Are you going to be experimenting with highly volatile materials? Will chemicals be used? By thinking about how the lab will be used, you can then choose a casework material that will be able to withstand the work of your laboratory.

Steel or stainless steel is an obvious choice if you will be working with liquid materials or items that might be damaging to other materials such as wood or laminate. If you are creating a lab with little experimentation, you could opt for the less resistant materials like laminate or wood.

Weigh the pros and cons of each material so that you make the right choice when it comes to laboratory casework. Contact us today to learn more about casework and the options we have for your lab setting.

When considering sinks for a laboratory, you may be thinking that a traditional kitchen sink will work. However, that is not the case. A laboratory requires a science lab sink, one that is created for the space to ensure the employees are safe and able to clean up with ease in the lab environment. Learning the basic differences between traditional sinks and the different types of laboratory sinks will help you to better understand the needs of the lab and ensure the space is ready to function no matter the experiment. Laboratory sinks are specialized products designed for the unique requirements of a science lab environment.

Cleanliness of the Water

In a lab, the cleanliness of the water must be considered. The water used in the lab does not need to have contaminants that could affect experiments or the cleanliness of the staff. Equipment in the lab needs to be clean, so having fresh water that is not contaminated is essential. With a science lab sink, you can install an option that has water filtration, ensuring any contaminants are removed with ease before cleaning of instruments or supplies as well as washing hands. Additionally, lab sinks are designed to handle the disposal of waste, harsh chemicals, and corrosive chemicals that may be present in the lab environment. The choice of a specialized lab sink is crucial to ensure the safety and efficient operation of the laboratory.

Hands-Free Approach

When working in a laboratory setting, there are tests that will be performed as well as experiments that will require both of your hands to be free when controlling water flow. Because of this need, a hands-free approach is needed for your lab sink. You also can use a hands-free option because your hands need to stay clean, and the knob of the unit can have microorganisms that would contaminate your experiment. Results would be inaccurate if a foreign body were to integrate within your experiment. When you can use your elbow or even a pedal to control the water flow, you avoid interrupting your experimental process. Freestanding sinks are a popular laboratory sink solution, as they provide the hands-free functionality required in many lab settings. Stainless steel is a common and popular laboratory sink material due to its durability and resistance to many harsh chemicals found in the lab environment.

Durable Sink

A traditional kitchen sink is not able to handle the day-to-day strain that a laboratory creates. A kitchen sink is set up to succeed with water, not harmful chemicals. A laboratory sink is created from materials that will not degrade the unit. Epoxy Resin lab sinks are an example of a material that is durable and safe to use in a laboratory setting. Most chemicals will not harm the unit, allowing you to wash tools as well as your hands without the threat of damaging the sink.

If you install a traditional sink in your lab, you run the risk of problems with the sink as well as the actual drain and piping. Chemicals can easily be damaging, leading to issues that will delay your work as well as cost money.

Overall, a laboratory will be more successful when a sink that is created for lab work is installed. Contact us today to find out your options for a wide variety of sink installations, finding the right solution for all your laboratory sink needs. With the proper sink installation, you can safely handle the disposal of waste and ensure your experiments will run smoothly, allowing you to stay on top of your daily schedule. A commercial laboratory requires specialized lab sink solutions that come in a variety of sizes and types to meet the unique application needs of the facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a science teacher, you look forward to molding young minds and teaching the children the value of science. When you have access to a science laboratory, planning activities can be fun and exciting, but also dangerous. Any science teacher who offers lab work as part of the class should focus on creating a safe environment for students. But how do you ensure student safety? Below are a few tips to consider when introducing a new class to your science labs.

Training

The first step to ensuring that students are safe is to provide safety training in the laboratory. Explain the general laboratory procedures such as how students should handle chemicals, the burners, etc. Go into detail about the laboratory procedures so each child fully understands how they should conduct themselves. Provide a handout of safety procedures and keep a copy posted in the science classroom for reference.

Discuss Safety Protocols

Science teachers should also focus on discussing safety protocols before any laboratory work begins. Safety hazards, as well as requirements, should be considered based on the project at hand. Before you begin a lab, it is beneficial to discuss what chemicals, biological products, or pharmaceutical products will be used and how they should be handled.

Always make sure students know that they are required to wear protective equipment such as safety goggles as well as any other safety equipment you provide. Students should be required to take home a safety contract, go over it with their parents, and return it to school, signed by the parents and the student. Keep this contract on file so you can refer back to it with a student who does not follow the Lab Safety Rules.

Be sure to point out that the experiments you offer will be fun and exciting but also dangerous due to potential hazards. Reiterate that you have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to safety violations. Talk to your students repeatedly about science lab safety so they fully understand.

Lab Groups

Another issue that many new science teachers do not consider is the formation of lab groups. In many instances, it is best to let the kids partner up themselves so there is no fighting during lab work between partners who do not get along. Another consideration is the size of the workstation. Smaller stations will work with only two students while larger stations can accommodate groups of 4 or more. It is important to formulate groups, so the experiment can be conducted as well as everyone getting to take part.

Be Organized

Because you will be dealing with hundreds of students daily, it is essential that you are organized. Have storage solutions within the science classroom that will house the hazardous chemicals, laboratory equipment, or tools used for the day, with easy access for students. It is also beneficial to have mobile stations so that you can move items and tools around for demonstrations or other needs. Contact us today if you need assistance with materials for your classroom. Tables and storage options are just a few of the products we offer.

When working in a lab, it is important to have the proper equipment in place for a safe environment. If your lab deals with chemicals and other dangerous substances, having the proper equipment in place for washing and cleanup is essential. In a lab environment, an eyewash station and an emergency shower are essential to a clean and safe environment.

As you handle chemicals and other substances, having such stations in place allow employees to clean up when exposed to the substances. The skin and eyes are not supposed to be exposed to chemicals in a lab as this can be dangerous as well as life-threatening. Having such wash stations in place allows employees an access point for cleaning in an emergency as well as for standard procedures.

Installing Safety Stations

Products are available today that will allow employees to clean up when needed. Eyewash stations need to be always covered, preventing any dust, debris, or chemicals to get inside the eyewash heads. Such stations should be in an area that is easily accessible, allowing employees to wash off when needed.

An emergency shower and eyewash station need to be tested at least once a week to ensure that the equipment is ready to function. With an emergency shower, the unit will need to be activated and then a bucket filled with water to ensure that the water is running at full speed. The eyewash station will need to be run for 15 seconds, checking to see that the water is clear.

With the installation and regular inspection of such safety equipment, your lab is ready to function properly. It is essential that employees have access to eyewash stations and showers to clean themselves in the event of an emergency.

Contact us for all your eyewash and emergency station needs. It is easy to find the necessary equipment for your emergency as well as standard cleaning needs.

Here at Catalina Laboratory Products, our mission is to bring you quality laboratory wall cabinets for all your needs. We were founded on the belief that it is possible to offer our customers top of the line lab wall cabinets at an affordable price that can fit any lab’s budget. That’s still our belief today, and we’re proud to offer a variety of wall cabinets, whether you need glass-framed or solid hinged doors, large or small.

All our cabinets are built with full-frame steel construction, fully welded for unbeatable strength. Our construction is tested and certified to be SEFA compliant, so that you never have to worry about shoddy or subpar craftsmanship. Our heavy-duty plated shelves are fully adjustable along both their length and width. The interior is lipped to guard against dust build-up. All our cabinets that utilize hinges are equipped with lab-grade, 5-knuckle, institutional stainless-steel hinges for a lifetime of durability. Every cabinet ships with a mounting cleat for ultimate ease of installation. When you buy a CatLabPro cabinet, you can be assured that you are getting exactly what you pay for — reliable craftsmanship that won’t break the bank but will get the job done.

We offer two main types of cabinets — those with transparent glass doors, and those with solid doors. Both types come in single and double configurations, with double configurations available in both regular and large sizes. We strive to keep our cabinets simple and utilitarian. You will not find any unnecessary or extravagant bells and whistles, just good, solid craftsmanship that ensures your lab’s cabinets will do the job they are meant to do. That is how we keep our costs low and our shipping fast, so that you get what you need most, and not all those features you did not ask for. Looking to give your lab an instant upgrade? Tired of a cluttered lab or those non lab-certified cabinets that just are not built for the rigors of a laboratory environment? CatLabPro is here to help with our affordable, all-purpose laboratory wall cabinets. Say goodbye to a disorganized lab and cabinet doors that keep falling off or getting stuck, and hello to the lab of your dreams. Visit our website or give us a call today for a custom quote and see how easy it can be to transform your laboratory today!

Equipping the workplace with the best heavy-duty laboratory workbench for undertaking required activities is of great importance. The lab workbench must be high-quality to avoid unforeseen circumstances from occurring.

Research has shown that not all materials can withstand the amount of work it must carry. The value of the workbench will be significantly determined by the material used to manufacture the product. Steel, for instance, will provide sufficient strength needed for any task as well as robust features.

According to the experts, industrial workbenches of quality standards are made from durable material like steel that provide exceptional support for the processes carried out upon it. It is vital that the product upholds the robust features, the value of cleanliness, and have the ability to overcome occurrences of wear and tear including corrosion. Maintaining features such as the provision of ample space design and adjustable height characteristics are helpful in the validation of the total qualities that must be observed when it comes to the construction of the desired lab workbench.

Primary Concerns

Laboratory workbenches are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes as well as features. So, it is important to know what you looking to purchase. First, it is vital to come up with a budget to avoid financial shortcomings. Some lab workbenches are less expensive than others but may have fewer features as well.

Workbench Features to Consider

When choosing the best lab workbench for your space consider the amount of weight the product can withstand. Some workbenches have additional add-on space on lower areas of the product that you may require. Top thickness, width, and height of workbench must be considered in addition to the material used to create it, such as wood, metal, stainless steel, plastic laminate, etc.

Contact us today to learn more about lab workbenches and how we can help.

Here at Catalina Laboratory Products, we have made it our mission to offer you high-quality laboratory cabinets and countertops that can fulfill all your diverse needs. We were founded on the belief that quality and affordability do not have to be a compromise, and that by focusing on what our customer’s true needs are we can consistently deliver on that belief. That is why we are proud to bring you multi-height countertops and metal laboratory cabinets that can fit for any lab’s layout and budget.

All our cabinets are fully welded and constructed with full-frame steel designs. Our metal lab cabinets are built to stand up to the rigors of a modern laboratory environment, constructed to be SEFA compliant, so that you never have to worry about whether they are up for the task. All shelves are fully adjustable for both length and width, while the backs are removable for easy access and cleaning.

Our cabinet are designed at three heights — standing, sitting, and ADA compliant. All three are available in a variety of configurations, including single and double variants and models with all shelves, all drawers, or a hybrid. CatLabPro is proud to help you outfit your lab with products designed to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Science is for everyone, and here at CatLabPro we are committed to making that a reality by ensuring our selection of cabinets, countertops, and other products can be used by anyone, no matter their situation.

We also have a wide selection of metal lab cabinets, whether mounted to the wall to make the most of limited space, or tall cabinets to maximize your storage. We even have acid and solvent storage fume hood base cabinets for your more specialized needs.

Are you ready to transform your lab? Looking to make it more accommodating for all kinds of people? Need more storage space? Then you are in luck, because at CatLabPro we have durable, affordable cabinets and countertops for all your lab needs. Visit our website or give us a call today for a custom quote and see how easy it can be to give your lab a facelift today!

When it comes to having a fully functioning laboratory, the furniture used within the space is most important. From the laboratory tables to storage solutions, the furnishings you have in your laboratory must be considered. When building a lab, it is important to think about the function of each piece. Without proper thought, you may end up purchasing furnishings that do not function as you need, with more money being spent in the future to provide the right items for your lab.

Function Over Form

Instead of focusing on how furnishings look, the function needs to be considered. If you have a lab where you are moving from station to station, then choosing mobile furniture may be your best option. Mobile lab tables make the workday run smooth as you can place every item you need on the table and then use the mobility of the piece to move from station to station, working on your tests or projects.

Without mobility, you will be stuck going back and forth across the room to grab the supplies or tools you need. Mobile tables and storage units are essential to the productivity of any lab space.

Storage Solutions

It is also important to consider the storage needs of your facility. You need adequate storage space so that all tools and components, as well as chemicals and supplies, can be stored in bulk. Large cabinets or shelving can easily be installed in the laboratory, making it easy for you to organize what you use regularly in the lab as well as having a place for the lesser used items.

Storage solutions can also be mobile, with castor wheels, making it easy for you to move the storage unit from place to place. It is recommended that only smaller storage options have wheels and that the pieces are moved carefully, especially when housing dangerous chemicals. When it comes to mobile furniture, we can help. Contact us today to find solutions for mobile tables for your laboratory setting.

If you are designing a new laboratory space or revamping an existing one, it is important to consider the countertops that will be installed in the space. You will need to consider the basic usage of the countertops to ensure the space will be able to handle projects and experiments set to be completed in the lab. Learning more about the characteristics of countertop materials can help you make the right decision based on your lab’s day to day operations.

The Toughest Materials

There are two materials that are considered the toughest when it comes to countertops, able to withstand high temperatures and are long-lasting. The toughest would be an epoxy resin. This type of countertop is extremely resistant to chemicals, making it a great choice if your lab will be completing experiments using a variety of chemicals that can be damaging. An epoxy resin countertop is also scratch and dent resistant.

Another option for strength is phenolic resin countertops. This countertop is made by fusing layers of craft paper saturated in resin. Phenolic resin is tough and strong, durable to a variety of chemicals and is antimicrobial. Both the epoxy resin and phenolic resin countertop are strong choices and will provide a more durable surface.

Controlling Bacteria and Overall Cleanliness

When it comes to cleaning and controlling bacteria, the top choice is phenolic resin. With this material type, you are easily able to clean the countertops and avoid any dirt and grime in your laboratory space. The material is also non-porous, better for controlling bacteria on the surface which is yet another benefit.

Environmentally Friendly Solutions

If your lab would like to stay environmentally friendly with their material choices, then phenolic resin also comes out on top in this category. The material is considered eco-friendly for several reasons. First, it is made from the by-product of wood processing. Second, it is manufactured in an entirely closed production cycle. Lastly, because it is so durable, installing this material in your lab will be affordable but also a choice that will last for many years. This cuts back on the need to purchase more countertops for your lab for many years to come.

If the lab needs to be remodeled in the future, you should be able to detach and move the countertops to a new location. Reusing the same materials is cost-effective as well as an eco-friendly option.

These are just a few factors to consider when you are redesigning or creating a lab space. Think about the space you need to fill with countertops and how they will be used. Be sure to choose a material type that will work well, creating a lab space that is effective as well as one that will last for many years to come.Contact us today to learn more about countertop types and how we can help you to outfit your lab for efficiency as well as durability.