Lab Shelving

Firstly – what a lab would use shelving for:

Shelving is an essential part of any laboratory environment. It provides a versatile and efficient storage solution for a wide range of lab equipment, supplies, and specimens. In this article, we will explore the various ways in which lab shelving can be used and the benefits it provides to lab operations.

Types of Lab Shelving

There are many types of shelving available, each with its own unique features and benefits. Some of the most common types of lab shelving include:

Wire Lab Shelving:

Wire shelving is a versatile and durable storage solution that is ideal for labs that require good air circulation and visibility of stored items. It is available in various sizes and configurations and can be customized to meet the specific needs of a lab.

Solid Shelving:

Solid shelving is also a storage solution that is ideal for labs that require a more stable and secure storage platform. It is available in various materials, including steel, plastic, and laminate, and can be customized to meet the specific needs of a lab.

Mobile Lab Shelving:

Mobile shelving is a space-saving storage solution that is ideal for labs with limited floor space. It consists of shelving units mounted on a track that allows them to be moved horizontally, providing access to multiple shelving units with minimal space requirements.

Specialty Lab Shelving:

Specialty shelving is designed for specific lab applications, such as chemical storage, microscope storage, and cleanroom storage. It is typically made from materials that meet specific safety and regulatory requirements, such as fire-resistant materials, and can be customized to meet the specific needs of a lab.

Uses of Lab Shelving

Lab shelving is used in a wide range of lab applications, providing a versatile and efficient storage solution for lab equipment, supplies, and specimens. Here are some of the most common uses of lab shelving:

A wide variety of equipment and supplies are put on shelves depending on their specific field of work. Below is a general list of items that many labs might have:

Firstly, Glassware: Beakers, flasks, test tubes, pipettes, graduated cylinders, petri dishes, and slide glasses.

Plasticware: Pipette tips, sample tubes, centrifuge tubes, Eppendorf tubes, microcentrifuge tubes, and microplates.

Chemicals and Reagents: These can include various acids, bases, solvents, stains, and indicators. Always stored according to compatibility and safety requirements.

Lab Consumables: Gloves, lab coats, cleanroom suits, face masks, and goggles.

Microscopes and Related Accessories: Objectives, eyepieces, slides, and slide covers.

Lab Equipment: Hotplates, stirrers, centrifuges, pH meters, microscopes, scales, and thermometers.

Spectrophotometers and Accessories: Cuvettes, filters, and light sources.

Tools and Maintenance Equipment: Screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, tweezers, scissors, and other maintenance tools.

Surgical Instruments: Scalpels, scissors, forceps, and other surgical tools (mainly in biomedical labs).

Media and Culture Materials: Agar, nutrient broths, yeast extract, and other materials for cell and microbial cultures.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Lab coats, safety glasses, gloves, respirators, and earplugs.

Miscellaneous: Tissue paper, paper towels, Kimwipes, waste bins, labels, and markers.

Samples and Specimens: These are stored in proper containers and typically labeled for easy identification.

Laboratory Notebooks and Manuals: Used for record-keeping and reference purposes.

And finally, remember, safety regulations must be adhered to when storing these materials, especially hazardous substances. Certain types of lab equipment and supplies need to be stored in specific conditions to ensure their functionality and longevity. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and local regulations.

Lab Equipment On Shelving:

In addition,lab equipment such as microscopes, centrifuges, and spectrophotometers also require secure and stable storage when not in use. Furthermore lab shelving provides an ideal storage solution that keeps equipment safe and easily accessible.

Lab Supplies on Lab Shelving:

Labs also require a variety of supplies, such as glassware, pipettes, and lab coats. These items can take up a lot of space and require efficient storage solutions to keep them organized and easily accessible. Shelving provides an ideal solution for storing these supplies, allowing them to be easily accessed and organized.

Storage of Specimens:

Labs often have a wide range of specimens that require careful storage, such as tissue samples, blood samples, and cultures. These specimens require storage solutions that maintain their integrity and prevent contamination. Lab shelving provides an ideal storage solution that keeps specimens safe and easily accessible.

Chemical Storage:

Labs often require specialized storage solutions for chemicals and hazardous materials. Chemical storage shelving is designed to meet regulatory requirements and provide safe and secure storage for these materials.

Cleanroom Storage:

Cleanroom storage also requires specialized shelving that is designed to prevent contamination and meet regulatory requirements. Cleanroom shelving is typically made from materials that are easy to clean and maintain, and that meet specific safety and regulatory requirements.

Benefits of Lab Shelving

There are several benefits to using shelving in a laboratory environment. Here are some of the most significant benefits:

Efficient Use of Space:

Shelving also provides an efficient use of space, allowing labs to store more equipment, supplies, and specimens in a smaller area. This can help labs to maximize their available space and increase their overall efficiency.

Lab Shelving provides Organization:

Shelving provides an organized storage solution that allows equipment, supplies, and specimens to be easily accessed and identified. This can help labs to operate more efficiently and reduce the risk of errors or accidents.

Lastly – Safety with Lab Shelving:

Shelving provides a safe place to put lab equipment and supplies.