Steel lab cabinets can consist of individual storage units or be combined into more diverse storage combinations called laboratory casework to accommodate different sizes of laboratory equipment. Casework is usually created using more than one material and can include epoxy resin, laminate, or stainless steel. A mix of different cabinet types is also available, including storage cabinets, wall cabinets, steel lab cabinets, locker cabinets, base cabinets, and custom cabinets. There are also many options for drawers, doors, and shelves.
Laboratory casework offers a flexible, customizable, and highly functional solution for laboratory cabinet needs that extend well beyond the benefits of a simple stand-alone cabinet. Besides the obvious storage solutions that are expected from commercial cabinets, laboratories require many other specialized features:
Standard Steel Lab Cabinets
Built with high quality steel, steel lab cabinets are extremely durable and include corrosion-resistant paint technology. The best part – steel lab cabinets can be customized and are available in different designs and styles.
Flame Resistant Laboratory Cabinets
Made from 16-gauge steel, these are not your every-day commercial cabinets. Flame resistant laboratory cabinets ensure the best protection from fire and even include self-closing doors and other protective features.
Chemical Resistant Laboratory Cabinets
Built using a reinforced steel structure, these cabinets include chemical-resistant interior linings. For this reason, they are a great option for storing chemicals and other potentially harmful substances.
Flow Hood Laboratory Cabinets
Also referred to as Laminar Flow Hood Cabinet, Flow Cabinet, or Laminar Flow Workbench, these are sterile enclosures that use a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration system to clean the air. Commonly used in medical research laboratories, these laboratory cabinets are used to prevent contamination by keeping dust, dirt, and particulates out of the cabinet system.
RDM Laminar Flow Laboratory Cabinet – Bench-top Model LF-102P-B-WHITE-02
What type of flow hood do you need for your laboratory cabinet? This is determined by the direction of air flow and the specific protection requirements of the lab. For example, the Vertical Laminar Flow Hood protects both the worker and sample by placing the filter directly above the work area. Contaminated air is directed down from the top, through the filter, and downward through holes in the base of the cabinet. Alternatively, the Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood provides less protection for workers by directing air horizontally, from the back towards the worker. This direction of airflow provides increased protection for products and samples.
Biological Safety Laboratory Cabinets
Biosafety cabinets are similar to laminar air flow cabinets but provide extra protection for laboratory workers and the environment. These types of cabinets are suitable for working with harmful or infectious materials.
Biosafety cabinets are available in a variety of classes depending on the level of protection required:
- Class 1 laboratory biosafety cabinets provide protection to lab workers and the laboratory environment. Lab samples, however, are not protected from contamination.
- Class 2 biosafety cabinets are used when working with potentially hazardous materials. They provide protection to both workers and lab samples.
- Class 3 biosafety cabinets are the best choice when the highest level of safety is required. This option is essential when working with infectious diseases or pathogens. An an air-tight work space protects both workers and the laboratory environment.
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