Laboratory furniture seems simple—lab benches, fume hoods, reagent cabinets, glassware cabinets, and countertops—but if you choose the wrong material or specification, the problems can far outweigh the money you save. A lab bench gets a pit burned into it by concentrated sulfuric acid, fume hoods with insufficient airflow leave organic solvent fumes lingering in the lab, ordinary cabinets storing chemicals have no ventilation or leak protection—these are all common issues in real projects. 

The key part of a lab bench is the countertop material. Phenolic resin boards (phenolic resin impregnated kraft paper, formed under high temperature and pressure) are the most cost-effective general choice—acid and alkali resistant, high-temperature resistant (short-term up to 180℃), impact-resistant, and meet the needs of most new material labs. Epoxy resin countertops have better chemical corrosion resistance (can withstand 96% concentrated sulfuric acid and 40% sodium hydroxide), but cost 2-3 times more than phenolic boards, suitable for pretreatment areas and chemical analysis areas. Ceramic countertops have the best high-temperature performance (long-term up to 1000℃), ideal for high-temperature equipment areas like near muffle furnaces and ovens.

For fume hoods, the key is calculating airflow and supply air design. The standard face velocity for fume hoods is 0.3-0.5 m/s; if the exhaust is insufficient, harmful gases can't be effectively removed. More importantly, the overall supply air of the lab must match the total exhaust, or negative pressure will occur. It's recommended to have a professional design institute calculate the airflow balance.

Reagent cabinets must distinguish between ordinary reagent cabinets and flammable safety cabinets. Flammable cabinets must comply with FM or UL certification, have fireproof and heat-insulating layers, and automatic closing doors. Reagent cabinets containing volatile chemicals should be connected to the exhaust system.

Dehuisci (www.dehuisci.com) laboratory system engineering services include the design, selection, and installation of a full set of lab furniture. Phone: 0512-67071902.