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Laboratory base cabinets, lab furniture is to perform in lab enviroments which means materials and features appropriate to lab use which depends on the lab type.
Office furniture is being used in some lab applications, but is not appropriate for most labs as not designed to handle the load of the equipment nor does it deal with
vibration as does lab grade lab furniture. Note chemical & fuel facilities select coated steel cabinets and epoxy resin counter tops as do not want any material that can contributes to a fire.
When cleaning is a concern or the lab is a fuel lab or any lab that does not have a sprinkler system, select metal lab furniture.
Lab furniture selection should be focusing on elimination of contamination, eliminate absorption issues, as well as cleaning concerns; this should drive the selection of lab materials.
Trace metal labs need to look at our polypropylene furniture and hoods, a good choice for corrosive materials labs too.
Select light, heavy duty or special duty cabinetry based on application. We have material information to help guide you to
appropriate casework such as polypropylene cabinetry for Trace Metal, Metallurgy, Environmental Toxic Analysis, Toxicology, Marine Science or any lab where corrosives or metal free is important.
Laboratory base cabinets are usually limited to factory standard sizes.
Two tone paint where the box is one color and doors another is an add option.
Offerings are always standard paint colors of the manufacturer.
Custom colors are available from some companies, but add cost and add to production time.
Paints or coatings for lab cabinets should be chemical resistant. Not all metal paint coatings will not hold up to all chemicals.
Provide a list of the chemicals you use or expect to use; get test information. Review and ask for a sample to test if any concerns.
Confirm the grade of furniture, office grade metal furniture is not lab grade paint.
Metal lab cabinets can be of stainless steel, which cost more, but can be appropiate and in long term best value.
Stainless steel cabinets and tables are usually grade 304 - #4 finish; unless called out for marine grade or to be used with chemicals.
To be chemical resistance your stainless steel grade should be 316 steel.
When calling for 316 grade sinks, you must specify basket strainers and tailpieces to be 316 or you will get 304 the standard.
Basket strainer and tailpiece difference is $16.00 for 304 vs $65.00 for 316 stainless.
Laminated wood base units can come in any size, but standard sizes save money.
In laminate cabinets metric sizes can save the most money. as less waste.
Examples of metric sizes are:
40cm./15-3/4 inches
80cm./31-1/2 inches
120cm./47-1/4 inches wide.
Larger than 120cm (48 inch wide) units are more prone to shipping damaged.
Larger doors over 24 inches in width or hight have potential for warp and option sag.
Bigger doors require minimum of three hinges and can still sag.
Base cabinets with no drawers cost less than those with drawers.
Pull-out shelves serve the same purpose as drawers, but cost less.
Pull-out shelves can be added to any base even years later to give drawer function at a fraction of the cost.
Most common base cabinet has a top drawer and a door below.
Base with two top drawers over double doors is most useful.
Base lab cupboards comes standard with a shelf.
Base cabinet open with shelf no doors.
Real Wood really does not belong in real labs.While wood can handle lots of physical abuse; it emits acids and other pollutants. Oak, one of the most common materials for school lab casework is the worst; per archivalist do not allow objects to come in contact with wood. They say if items are stored in wood they need to be opened and aired out periodically. List of woods and their ph, see CCI's Technical bulletin Coatings for Display and storage in Museums and NEDCC Preservation leaflet 4.2 at http//www.nedcc.org/resources/leafletslist.php
Besides this concern, wood contributes to any fire, does absorb odor and contamination and cleaning issues it can pose other concerns. Then wood can effect sensitive test results if badly contaminated with lab chemicals plus can harbor molds if water leaks occur.
Want two shelves in a base, ask for and expect to pay for extra shelves.
Shelf thickness 3/4 to 1 inch in laminate units.
Shelf span over 40 inch should be 1 inch or have a stabilizer.
Shelves should be edge banded with PVC or turn if metal.
T-mold edge is commercial, but not for most labs does not seal edges.
All edges should be sealed or have edge banding.
Where chemicals or contamination is a concern it should be metal.
Aluminum is a good edge material for front edges if lipped edge is desired.
A base 12 inch wide can be called a B12, but use a description.
Part numbers can cause errors.
Part numbers with pictures, still need description to eliminate error.
Specified dimensions by width, height, depth with description is best.
B123024 needs to still have a key or schedule to say: Base=WHD.
Example plus notes (B-12w-30h-24d - R (right)
Notes: Nod-L (NOD = no drawer) Left designated door hinge.
Never abrev. without explanation.
Left or right hand swing on the door is important to access.
Easy generic information helps eliminate errors.
The swing of a door is determined by facing the base, if door open to your right it is a right.
Or the exposed hinge on the right is a right or on left is left.
* ND = no door and mark "open face".
Two Doors and One Drawer, Two Doors and Two Drawers, all combinations should have a key, a catalog part number, and description.
Specify Left or Right Hinge on all Single Door Cabinets.
Caster base units add flexibility for a small increase in cost.
All base units are available in sitting or standing height.
Note on all floor plans standing area and sitting area.
One can sit at a stool at a standing height area.
Standing height is preferred by most lab staff.
Need extra low cabinets or special drop area for top loading equipment?
Some equipment that needs access from behind must be planned for.
Plan for easy access and service needs with caster unit with locks.
Do you need locks on any other units?
Locks can be added later along with other accessories:
Accessories like pullboards, keyboards, lifts, trays, label holders, can be added to improve function.
Special bases units are needed for fume hoods to support the weight, to accommodate services (supply lines and power), and to store Acids & Flammables and Bases.
Metal Flammable cabinets should have spark arrestor kits, vent kits if venting to outdoors or into a duct system. Flammable cabinets have accessories that include grounding kits with C-clamp or alligator clips.
Grounding kits cost $35.00, and are ordered separate as an accessory.
We have polypropylene cabinets for use where corrosives are a concern or for metal free labs.
Flex-frame systems we offer are by Keur Industries.
Go to Fume hood link above for more information on these special cabinets for use with fume hoods.
Email for more information about any of your special needs.
Lab Drawers Units need to be wide and vary in depth.
Island Units
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