Designing the perfect lab tables can be difficult if you don’t know where to start. Custom laboratory furniture is designed specifically for your lab to improve workflow and maximize space so that your workers can focus on what they do best.
Buying lab furniture from any old outlet store can be problematic. It may result in workers not having enough space to move around, or work will be cluttered, causing accidental spills and instrumentation breakage. All of these things disrupt the work and cost money.
You can avoid all of these complications by investing in custom lab furniture solutions so that you have the right size, shape, and features necessary for maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of your lab. Check more here about our science lab furniture suppliers.
Key Things to Consider When Designing Lab Tables
Safety
Cleanliness has a huge impact on the safety of your workers. Lab tables should be designed to promote cleanliness and organization. Consider a keyboard pullout feature and LDC arms to make computers less space-consuming so that scientists can keep their workspaces organized.
As scientists are working with potentially hazardous chemicals, it’s important to find ways to manage equipment, instrumentation, and other work so that it’s less likely for chemicals to be spilled.
Another feature that you may want to consider is chemical resistant surfaces. If your scientists are working with chemicals that can eat through wood tables, consider having a surface that doesn’t allow chemicals to do so when spilled. This will prevent any dangerous situations in the lab.
You may also want to consider stainless steel tables, depending on the lab environment. These are the common surfaces for lab tables:
- Stainless Steel: Non-porous and antimicrobial, stainless steel is ideal for environments where moisture and corrosion may be issues. It is most commonly used in medical labs.
- Phenolic: These panels are made with paper fibers that are stacked and soaked in phenolic acid and then heated. They are lightweight and durable and can combat most chemicals and moisture.
- Epoxy Resin: This surface is made from resins and fillers and is extraordinary at repelling moisture. It’s also great for combating heat, impact, and most chemicals.
Read More: The Right Furniture Materials For Your Laboratory Tables
Space
Most likely, you are designing a space that already exists and not having a new facility built. If this is the case, space will be one of your most difficult opponents. You need to consider what the facility is used for and understand the daily tasks of the scientists.
Consider putting tables next to equipment that will be used frequently so that workers already have a workspace available to them. If you know that there is a common workflow among workers, such as someone going from workspace to workspace for a certain purpose, you will need to adjust the design to make sure that people can move around easily.
You will also likely have to deal with a lack of space. This is when you will need to consider the size of your tables. Remember, people need to be able to move around in your lab and have enough space to get from one place to the next quickly. You can also design custom shapes and sizes for your tables to fit where you need and provide space for movement.
Mobility
If you believe space might be an issue, you could also opt for mobility options that allow you to move tables easily. These tables are ideal for environments where space is an issue. Instead of placing stationary tables, you can use mobile tables that easily move around the room. These tables can be made stationary, so they’re always a great option for those who aren’t sure just where every single one should go.
Storage
Most quality labs have effective storage that allows workers to put instrumentation and items that they are not using away so that they can have an organized workspace. Lab cabinets are extremely important when it comes to optimizing the space that you have. Tables can be custom designed with storage solutions to provide workers with even more storage. Also, if a specific station is designated to a worker, these in-table storage solutions can be used for just his or her items so that they can always be found again.
Features
Not only can you design custom lab tables based on size, shape, mobility, and safety, you can add features tailored for your lab and its purpose.
- Adjustability: Will you need tables at different heights?
Depending on the function of your lab, you may need tables that function at different heights. With adjustable legs, you can create custom lab benches that are able to fit your current or future needs.
- Vibration Dampening: Do you need to protect instrumentation?
Certain instrumentation, like microscopes, are prone to breakage. This is especially true if they are near other instrumentation that vibrates. The smallest vibration can cause sensitive items in a lab to break. Vibration dampening solves this problem to save time and money by avoiding unnecessary breakages.
- Sound Isolation: Will your lab have loud equipment?
It’s no secret that some equipment and instrumentation is loud. Loud noises are distracting to workers and can disrupt their work, and at the very least, irritate them. However, this noise can be muffled with sound isolation.
Read More: What to Consider When Buying Science Lab Tables
Collaboration with Users
When designing your lab tables, it’s important to communicate with those that will be using them. Scientists who have worked in other labs know what works and what doesn’t. Others in certain fields may require features that you wouldn’t consider, but they find them absolutely critical. Consider giving workers a survey so that they can tell you what’s most important to them in a lab table. Read more about the best furniture supplier.
Create Custom Lab Tables Today
We can build custom lab furniture based on your requirements. We’ll work with you to ensure that your lab promotes productivity and efficiency.
Non-standard sized tables are not right for every lab. That’s why we’re here to help! No matter how unique your needs, we can help you determine the best solutions.
We design, build, and install custom lab tables. Discover how you can promote better workflows with your lab design by calling us today.
