Laboratories depend on different types of equipment and storage solutions for maintaining efficiency and ensuring safety. Among these, steel lab cabinets play a significant role in safe laboratory design. These cabinets can be used for storing chemicals, instruments, confidential documents as well as other important materials. Unlike standard commercial cabinets, these cabinets are designed for highly complex and sophisticated work environment.
Steel lab cabinets are versatile, meaning they are available in numerous shapes, sizes and designs. For example, some cabinets may comprise of individual storage units whereas others may have diverse storage combinations, popularly known as laboratory casework. From chemical storage cabinets to specialized cabinets designed for combustible substances, each cabinet serves a specific purpose. Let us now explore some of the popular types of cabinets used in laboratories.
Standard Steel lab cabinets
As the name suggests, these cabinets are made up of high quality steel, thus making them extremely durable. It offers great structural strength compared to cabinets made up of other materials, thus making them ideal for storing heavy glassware, equipment, materials and chemical containers. Their robust frame can resist warping, cracking and stress from heavy loads, thus enabling them to retain their shape and structure even in demanding environments. This minimizes the risks of shelves collapsing or cabinets failing, both of which can result in spills or equipment damage. Since these cabinets are capable of maintaining their integrity for several years, they can be a reliable storage system for laboratories.
Flow hood laboratory cabinets
Flow hood laboratory cabinets, also known as laminar flow workbench are sterile cabinets using HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration system for cleaning the air. The main function of this cabinet is to prevent contamination by filtering out dirt and impurities from the cabinet system.
The type of flow hood required by a laboratory cabinet is determined by factors like direction of the air flow and projection requirements of the laboratory. For example, vertical flow hoods filter the air directly above the work area, thus keeping both the researcher and the sample safe. Contaminated air is directed downwards through the filter. Contrary to this, horizontal flow hoods direct air horizontally from the back to the researcher. It provides greater protection to the samples.
Chemical resistant laboratory cabinets
Exposure to chemicals is one of the major challenges in laboratories. Some chemicals are highly corrosive in nature, so they can damage cabinets made up of materials like wood, plastic laminates or other porous materials. These chemicals can be stored safely in chemical resistant laboratory cabinets.
Chemical resistant laboratory cabinets are made up of reinforced steel. It also comprises of chemical resistant interior linings and epoxy coatings, providing resistance to corrosion. This makes them ideal for storing acids, solvents and other types of chemicals. By clearly labeling all the containers properly and keeping them in an organized manner inside the cabinets, lab workers can find them quickly during the time of need without disturbing other containers.
Flame resistant laboratory cabinets
It is common for laboratories to store combustible or reactive substances that require proper storage systems. Fire resistant laboratory cabinets are made up of 16-gauge steel. Since steel is a non-flammable material, these cabinets act as a safe storage option in environments with high risks of fire accidents. One good thing about steel is that neither does it ignite nor does it contribute to the spread of fire. Modern cabinets are often equipped with features like self-closing doors, proper ventilation and locking systems, thus keeping all the materials and instruments safe.
Conclusion
Steel laboratory cabinets play a significant role in maintaining a safe, organized and efficient working environment. Their durability, corrosion resistance and ease of maintenance make them a preferred choice for various laboratories. Selection of right type of cabinet can enhance both operational efficiency and safety.