Commercial Cabinets: What are the Key Features of Laboratory Cabinets and Laboratory Casework?

Laboratory cabinetsare not your typicalcommercial cabinet.Designed for highly complex and sophisticated work environments, this type of cabinet is primarily made from stainless steel and is an essential component of every lab.

Steel lab cabinetscan consist of individual storage units or be combined into more diverse storage combinations calledlaboratory 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, includingstorage cabinets,wall cabinets,steel lab cabinets,locker cabinets, base cabinets, and custom cabinets. There are also many options for drawers, doors, and shelves.Â

Laboratory caseworkoffers a flexible, customizable, and highly functional solution forlaboratory cabinetneeds that extend well beyond the benefits of a simple stand-alone cabinet. Besides the obvious storage solutions that are expected fromcommercial cabinets, laboratories require many other specialized features:

StandardSteel Lab Cabinets

Built with high quality steel,steel lab cabinetsare extremely durable and include corrosion-resistant paint technology. The best part –steel lab cabinetscan be customized and are available in different designs and styles.

Flame ResistantLaboratory Cabinets

Made from 16-gauge steel, these are not your every-daycommercial cabinets. Flame resistantlaboratory cabinetsensure the best protection from fire and even include self-closing doors and other protective features.

Chemical ResistantLaboratory 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 HoodLaboratory 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, theselaboratory cabinetsare used to prevent contamination by keeping dust, dirt, and particulates out of the cabinet system.Â

What type of flow hood do you need for yourlaboratory cabinet? This is determined by the direction of air flow and the specific protection requirements of the lab. For example, the Vertical Laminar Flow Hoodprotects both the worker and sample byplacing 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 SafetyLaboratory 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 withharmful or infectious materials.

Biosafety cabinets are available in a variety of classes depending on the level of protection required:Â

• Class 1laboratory biosafety cabinetsprovide protection to lab workers and the laboratory environment. Lab samples, however, are not protected from contamination.
• Class 2biosafety cabinetsare 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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