Laboratory Chemicals Storage

Do you have a lab? If so, you're likely to store a lot of hazardous chemicals. And you need a way to store them safely, for a variety of reasons. Read on for information on how to choose the right kind of lab cabinet. As you might guess, there are lots of different safety cabinets to choose from. Which one is right for you depend on a variety of factors:

1) Size of your lab

How big is your lab? And how many chemicals are you using? A small lab might require just a small cabinet, one that might fit under the counter for example. A larger lab might need several. In fact, you might need several cabinets for two different reasons:

a) You have a lot of chemicals to store

b) You have to store a lot of different chemicals, not all of which can be stored together.

If you simply need a lot of storage, just get the storage cabinets that are right for your particular chemicals. If you need to store different chemicals separately, you must be sure to get the right kind of lab cabinet for each of those chemicals or groups of chemicals.

2) Type of chemicals

There are different types of lab cabinets for different types of chemicals. Some chemicals require special safety features, for example flammable liquids, corrosives, pesticides and other poisons, and more. So be sure to shop for the correct cabinets for the chemicals you need to safeguard.

3) Get the right size

There are cabinets in many different sizes. Some of them are small enough to fit under a counter, and others are big enough to fit multiple drums of chemicals. Figure out what size cabinets you need and shop accordingly. And remember, if you do need to store some of your chemicals separately, it's better to get multiple smaller cabinets than a few big ones. That will give you more flexibility.

4) Shop for quality

In a lab, safety is of utmost importance. So shopping for the right lab cabinets is not the time to try to save money and skimp on safety and quality. You just can't afford to risk it. So check to ensure they meet OSHA and NFPA specifications, as applicable. And be sure to shop with a reputable company where you'll get advice along with high quality cabinets.

Look for the usual signs of high quality, including steel construction for most regular cabinets, or high quality polyethylene for your aggressive acids and pesticide safety cabinets.