Laboratory Cabinets A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction In the hub of scientific research work, laboratories are the ones that witness everything. A laboratory may have some special requirements according to the experiments conducted there. And, an essential part of laboratories in different sectors is the cabinets. A well-furnished lab will improve the quality of the research and keep everyone focused. With advancement in technology, it is now possible to manufacture lab cabinets with different features to suit particular requirements. A modern lab is furnished with workbenches, fume hoods, light benches, utility carts and cabinets/casework.
Salient Features of Laboratory Cabinets You may find it easy to choose a cabinet for your home as there are numerous designs and styles and your tastes will most likely complement the décor of your house. the process of choosing laboratory cabinets is slightly different from that of home cabinets. Here, quality and features are the topmost concerns. Even if utility takes the precedence it does not mean that lab cabinets cannot be aesthetically beautiful. (Information Credit – https://www.rdm-ind.com) In the laboratories, the employees or scholars often have to work under stringent conditions in the industries. They have to work with different pathogens and toxic chemicals. Therefore, lab cabinets and other objects in the laboratories should be made from high-quality materials that would not be affected due to change in temperature.
Let’s look at some of the salient features of the laboratory cabinets:
The cabinets are an essential part of the forensic labs where there is the requirement of preserving different types of specimens that are used as research samples. The lab cabinets can be structured to have several compartments or segments that will segregate the samples. Thus, the process will prevent the specimens to mix with each other and become contaminated. Often samples for research are kept in the laboratory cabinets for preservation but, they are susceptible to damage if the cabinets are not designed properly. Therefore, such lab cabinets are designed with ventilation features that will prevent the components from becoming moldy.
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The lab cabinets are usually manufactured using high-quality stainless steel or wood that have the ability to resist corrosion. Also, wood and stainless steel do not get affected even by many strong acids or bases. Sometimes, a coating is applied on the lab cabinets for making them chemically inert. Polypropylene and wood laminate are also used to manufacture these laboratory cabinets due to their ergonomic features.
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The laboratory cabinets are usually occupied with multiple shelves unlike many house cabinets. Multiple shelves are required to archive various samples, chemicals and even equipment and it is necessary to check that they do not get mixed. Otherwise the experiment may go wrong. Drawers are also essential for the said reason. These features also keep everything organized. Goggles, lab coats, burners, and test tubes can be easily stored in the shelves of the drawers of the lab cabinets.
You will also have the option to customize the lab cabinets as per your requirement. You can add or remove the number of drawers and shelves, make some changes in the design and add features like ventilation system.
Varieties of Laboratory Cabinets The environment in a laboratory must be secure when you are working with different chemicals and other components. Cabinets in a laboratory should also be secure for safekeeping of the samples and also to protect themselves from chemicals when an experiment is being conducted. This, of course, necessitates that the lab cabinets be made from high-quality materials that are resistant to corrosion, chemically inert, and can withstand extreme temperatures. Laminar flow hood cabinets (horizontal and vertical) ensure that the samples kept are free from dirt, dust and other contaminants usual to a work area. The laminar hood flow works by maintaining a continuous circulation of fast-moving air in the working zone. 
Vertical type of cabinets: The vertical cabinets have a higher protection efficiency by directing the air in the downward direction by moving it vertically. The air has to be processed and is thus passed onto the HEPA filter. After treating the air, it is released from the vertical laminar hood from the top of the hood. This is done so that the treated air will be circulated in the work area. The worker is protected as the air is directed away from him. From the working surface the air is removed through the holes at the bottom of the base of
the cabinet for filtration and treatment. This way the hazardous chemicals are successfully removed from the working area or laboratory.
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Horizontal type of cabinets: The horizontal laminar flow cabinets are named so because of the direction in which the gas released during experiments is released. The untreated harmful gas generated during an experiment enters the cabinet in the vertical direction from above. For treatment, the gaseous fluids are passed through the HEPA filter. After filtration, the air changes direction before exit. The air is eliminated horizontally through the front of the hood away from the working surface.
The laminar flow cabinets can be seen in different medical, pharmaceutical, industrial as well as educational laboratories. The laminar flow cabinets do not allow the samples stored inside to be affected by particulates or any other matter. It is essential to keep the laboratory system free from bacteria, particulates, and other contaminants. This type of cabinets can also be used to work with electronic devices and semiconductor waters. You will have to regularly clean the laminar flow hood cabinets to prevent accumulation of dust particles and contaminants in the cabinets.
Conclusion As you can see, laboratory cabinets are required in forensic, pharmaceutical, medical, chemical and many other industries. You will find different designs and styles of laboratory cabinets available in the market at quite an affordable rate. You must choose a laboratory cabinet manufacturer based on their experience and quality of materials used to build the cabinets. You will have the option to customize the cabinets by adding or removing shelves and drawers. You can even change the style. You must always make sure that the quality of the lab cabinets is not compromised.