Tag: laboratory

Lab Safety Equipment Every Laboratory Should HaveFor the effective functioning of a lab, we have to make it a safe place. Laboratories carry out many researches and experiments. They make use of devices like gas-operated burners with open flames, toxic chemicals, spring-loaded equipment, and sharp apparatus. All this has to be handled with great care and precaution. Sharp objects can cause you harm, chemicals can cause burns, and inhaling toxic gases can prove fatal. The Lab Safety Equipment acts as a shield to protect from unwarranted crises. By investing in lab equipment you are upgrading the standards of your lab while safeguarding the life of personnel working there. 

Here is a list of lab safety equipment that every lab should have.

Lab Fume Hoods

Lab fume hoods are a crucial component in a laboratory. Fume hoods are designed to ensure the safety of lab personnel while working with hazardous materials by continuously diverting the airflow away from the user. Fume hoods can prevent users and the environment from toxic gases, explosions, and spills. While carrying out dangerous experiments chemicals emit toxic fumes and sometimes they splash or even explode. It’s always good to carry out such experiments inside a fume hood. These safety cabinets have an inbuilt mechanism to suck away dangerous fumes from the users and the tough glass in front protects from accidental splashes or burns.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers apply an agent that will cool burning heat, smoother fuel, or remove oxygen so the fire cannot continue to burn. Since laboratories carry out experiments, they make use of fires so every lab should have one fire extinguisher in place. You can use water-based,foam-based, or wet chemical kind of fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers must be available near the lab exit or in the hallway and within 25 meters of the lab. All working personnel must be trained to use fire extinguishers in case of emergency.

Safety Storage Cabinets

Storage cabinets are used to store and organize on-site materials to minimize risks of potential life-threatening incidents. Storage racks and shelving can store bulks of material and equipment.  Installation, of one of the safety cabinets, will comply with your obligations towards employees. There are specialized cabinets like fume cabinets that clean up chemical fumes and are resistant to corrosive effects.

Emergency Safety Showers

Splash accidents are common after a fire breakout in labs. When you get splashed with chemicals, the best solution is to immediately pour a lot of water on yourself. Emergency safety showers are crucial in such circumstances.

Eye Wash

In case you are not wearing safety goggles and something splashes in your eyes just rush to the eye wash station and splash water into your eyes. It is first aid in case of eye injury in the lab. The high-pressure water is enough to dissolve any chemicals or substances and clean the hurt area.

Lab Gloves

Working in a lab means you handle dangerous substances that can be corrosive or contaminating. Disposable hand gloves are a great way to protect your hands. While working with the chemicals make sure to wear gloves and discard them in a disposal container after use.

Safety Goggles

Safety goggles are a shield for your eyes. Lab safety goggles are chemical-resistant and fog-resistant eyewear. Safety goggles protect the user’s eyes from chemical splashes, irritating mists,  and other substances springing out in the lab. It is safe to wear goggles while working in the lab.

Disposable Masks

Face masks are used to cover the mouth and nose area. Labs emit toxic gases into the air and liquids that can splash up and hit the face. A face mask can protect your face from such instances.

Lab Coats

Lab coats offer some degree of full body protection while working in a lab. To protect against an accidental spill or contact the coats must be worn whenever working in the lab. Lab coats are comfy to wear and easy to maintain.

First-aid Kits

In the lab, you can expect some minor cuts, bruises, and burns so a first aid kit is mandatory. In case of a wound, it is necessary to clean, disinfect and dress the wound, or if left uncared can result in complications. So it is wise to keep a box with antiseptic lotions, bandages, plasters, antibiotic ointment, and burn cream in your box at all times.

The safety of lab workers is the priority, realizing that one should provide lab safety equipment first in the lab.

laboratory furnitureA clean room laboratory provides an effective setting for the creation of quality products and is essential for maintaining a sterile and clean atmosphere. Clean room furniture guarantees a clean, containment-free environment. The electronics, hi-tech semiconductor, pharma companies, medical, optics, aerospace, and automotive, all depend on cleanroom technology. ISO-certified cleanrooms will ensure clean products and put you in a strong position.

Planning, installation, and maintenance are the three processes involved in all types of laboratories. For every laboratory, the World Health Organisation has established standard plans and strategies. One must adhere to these practices.

How to Plan a Laboratory

Planning a lab is a crucial task with different challenges so some key factors to keep in mind. A lab designer will surely help you with the task

Involve all stakeholders in your design

A meeting between the designer and various personnel will bring clarity to the project goal. The lab requirements including equipment, utilities, and storage requirements can be understood. The scope of future needs and lab flexibility can be determined

Size of the lab to answer the user’s needs.

The size of the lab should be proportional to the number of workers and the nature of activities. Factors like lab furniture, equipment needed by personnel, and chemical storage is a key determinant for the size of the lab.

Deciding the design of the laboratory

Designing a lab involves aesthetics and meets all requirements. This will involve the environment and health and safety in the primary phase. The positioning of storage cabins, the essential furniture, and the proper fume hood will also be inclusive

Collaborating with engineers.

The engineers will look into various aspects. They deliver a safe airflow solution. The engineers also provide details of proper duct size and important air changes per hour. The electrical HVAC, utility requirements, civil interiors, and creative solutions for logistics will be considered.

Installing Laboratory Furniture

Installation of the lab’s equipment will proceed after the purchase. The machinery must be set up in the appropriate locations. Usually, the manufacturers provide user manuals for guidance. An adequate lab will include equipment. It could be the scales, centrifuges, Bunsen burners, freezers, hotplates, incubators, coolers, water baths, and fume hoods to name a few.

Lab installation will also include furniture, HVAC installations, security system, and lab fume hood installation. The HVAC system will ensure ducting, air conditioning, and ventilation installation.MEP installation consists of the electrical and plumbing systems. The installation will ensure efficiency and increase the productivity of your lab and classrooms

 The installation of a cleanroom laboratory is subject to classifications. Installation depends on metrics like the required level of cleanliness ranging from ISO 1 to  9. The next factor is the identification and understanding of air pressure. Some cleanrooms use positive air pressure methods to expel the contaminated air. Some use negative air pressure which prohibits the air from leaving the room.

Maintaining Lab furniture

Laboratory hygiene is of utmost importance. Keep the workspace clean at all times. Ensure the safety equipment is accessible and unobstructed at all times. Solid wastes and hazardous chemicals should be properly disposed of.

The lab personnel should sterile the equipment after use and discard unwanted substances. Regular cleaning will reduce the chance of contamination and prevent contact with hazardous substances.

Repairing and fixing from time to time. The pieces of furniture undergo wear and tear with time. Replacing worn-out furniture is important. Choosing lab furniture to go for quality will ensure durability and thereby control future costs

Preventative Measures -HVAC. professionals will regularly inspect and assess the system. They will ensure electrical connections. They will lubricate the moving parts and inspect drains and clean them.

Conclusion

Each phase is really important. The process of manufacturing will improve and produce excellent outcomes if the planning, installation, and maintenance are well executed.