Lab renovation or setting up a new lab is not always as easy as it sounds. In schools and commercial settings, today’s laboratories are designed to provide research workers as well as students with a functional, safe space to complete their assignments. As a result, whenever laboratory furniture must be changed, it is important to ensure everyone has the necessary lab products to remain productive, which can be challenging.
While traditional lab furniture can be difficult to rearrange when a lab’s floor plan needs to be adjusted, modular laboratory furniture allows laboratories to easily reconfigure floor plans without heavy lifting or hindering lab efficiency. How does this modern furniture revolutionise lab setups? What safety advantages does it bring?
Below, we will explore these questions and more in this comprehensive guide.
What Is Modular Lab Furniture?
Modern labs and spaces usually grow and or need to change over time. Modular laboratory furniture makes keeping up with growth, design trends, and regulatory requirements easier to ensure your lab remains up-to-date.
Organisations can ensure that laboratory personnel have highly customisable workspaces by customising lab furniture. Today, laboratories can adjust the layout design of a lab space without lifting heavy objects due to modular lab furniture.
Modular laboratory furniture can be disassembled as well as pieced out or easily rolled to a new location to create a new optimised floor plan. This type of furniture is designed to provide flexibility as well as adaptability in the solution when needed.
It is designed to move around easily, meaning your laboratory can be configured and reconfigured with little to no downtime.
The Importance Of Modular Lab
Laboratory design has come a long way from the traditional fixed workbenches and cluttered spaces. Modular lab furnishings are a testament to this evolution. The essence of modularity lies in its flexibility. Researchers can adapt and customise their lab layouts to meet the dynamic needs of their experiments. This adaptability ensures efficient space utilisation, optimised workflow, and, most importantly, safety in your lab.
As the name suggests, modular lab furniture consists of various components that can be assembled and reconfigured as needed. Workbenches, cabinets, shelving, and fume hoods can be tailored to specific requirements. But why is this customisation level so crucial for a lab’s safety?
Prioritising Safety With Modular Lab Furniture
Safety is the cornerstone of laboratory operations. Any compromise in this part can lead to disastrous consequences. Thankfully, modular lab furnishings offer many safety advantages, making it an ideal choice for setting up a new lab.
1. Flexibility In Layout
Laboratories often evolve with time, adapting to new research projects and methodologies. Modular furniture ensures that the lab layout can change to accommodate these shifts without requiring extensive renovations. This promotes a safer, more organised workspace.
2. Ergonomics
Ergonomics plays a significant role in laboratory safety. Researchers work long hours at lab benches, and discomfort or poor ergonomics can lead to injuries. Modular furniture allows for customising workbenches and seating to ensure researchers are comfortable and safe while working.
3. Enhanced Ventilation And Safety
Fume hoods are essential in laboratories where chemicals are handled. Modular fume hoods can be easily integrated into the lab design, ensuring that harmful fumes are efficiently captured and removed, thus enhancing the safety of the lab environment.
4. Optimised Storage
Proper storage of chemicals and equipment is paramount for safety. Modular cabinets and shelving systems can be designed to store hazardous materials securely, reducing the risk of accidents.
Benefits Of Modular Lab Furniture In Increasing Efficiency And Productivity
Modular lab furnishing isn’t just about safety; it also boosts efficiency and productivity. Researchers always search for ways in which they can streamline their work, and having these types of furniture can be a perfect pick for all your lab problems.
1. Easy Installation And Reconfiguration
Setting up a new lab or reconfiguring an existing one can be time-consuming. Modular furniture simplifies this by allowing for easy installation and reconfiguration. This minimises downtime and maximises productivity.
2. Cost-Effective
Traditional fixed furniture can be expensive, and changing it can incur significant costs. Modular furniture offers a cost-effective solution as components can be reused, reconfigured, or replaced.
3. Improved Organisation
The organisation is a key factor in laboratory work. Modular furniture can include built-in organisation solutions like drawers, shelves, and cabinets, making it easier for researchers to keep their workspace neat and organised.
Role Of Laboratory Planning Consultants
Planning a laboratory setup, whether a new lab or a renovation, can be complex. This is where laboratory planning consultants come into play. These experts specialise in designing safe, efficient, and compliant labs with industry standards.
Laboratory planning consultants work closely with researchers and lab managers to understand their unique needs. They can leverage the advantages of modular lab furnishings to create a lab space that prioritises safety and enhances functionality. With their expertise, lab planners can optimise layouts, recommend the right furniture components, and ensure that safety standards are met.
Conclusion
The modular approach to lab furniture is not merely a trend; it’s a transformative solution that brings the future of laboratory setups into the present, ensuring that science can push boundaries safely and efficiently.
So, if you are embarking on setting up a new lab or renovating an existing one, consider the advantages of modular lab furniture and the guidance of laboratory planning consultants to make your laboratory a hub of innovation and safety.
