How Labconco equipment suits modular lab design

As we ride the new wave of laboratory design, the recurring request is for modularity. And why not? With the ever changing needs and technology of a laboratory space it would be nice to have the capacity to change a specific laboratory's function by just moving a few things around.

Modular design makes it easy to bring in new equipment or remove unwanted equipment without the hassle of a complete redesign and demolition, not to mention costs to do so.

However, modularity could create an issue for the tried-and-true workhorses of the standard laboratory. For example, the chemical fume hood. It is the traditional necessity of almost every lab.

Chemical fume hoods are designed for evacuating noxious or hazardous vapors from the hood and out of the building by physically ducting through the structure and out the roof. But in the process of evacuating the fumes, a large amount of conditioned lab air goes along with them. This is hardly cost effective or green.

In an effort to address these types of issues, Labconco manufactures many products that offer modularity and sustainability. Paramount® Ductless Enclosures are self-contained enclosures that have activated carbon filtration to efficiently adsorb chemicals, fumes and particulates. Re-circulated air returns back into the laboratory. Seven filter types cover a wide variety of needs and are stackable to handle mixed chemical applications.

By not needing to be ducted to the outside, the Paramount offers the ability of making traditionally stationary units mobile and the ECM technology cuts down in energy costs. The Paramount Ductless Enclosure can rest on an existing work surface or Labconco offers mobile base stands with hydraulic height adjustment to easily move the enclosure from lab to lab.

Other low profile fume hoods and enclosures such as Protector® XVS Ventilation Stations, Demonstration Hoods and Protector® Work Stations have small foot prints (25" - 32") and can be connected to our FilterMate™ Portable Exhauster which uses the same activated carbon filtration technology as in Paramount Enclosures.

The XVS Ventilation Stations are available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-foot widths and mobile base stands are available for mobility.

The Demonstration Hood and the Protector Work Stations are available in 48" widths and are also available with mobile base stands.

Self-contained HEPA filtered enclosures, including Purifier Class I Biosafety Enclosures and Purifier Clean Benches, provide user or product protection depending on the model. They are offered with modular profile mobile base stands with or without hydraulic height adjustments. This allows them to be used one application to another and moved from room to room with no need for external ducting.

Purifier® Logic® Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinets offer personnel and product protection from particulates and biohazards. While they can be ducted to the outside for specific application requirements, most are simply allowed to recirculate air back into the laboratory.

Purifier® Cell Logic® Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinets offer the same containment and protection features as the Logic Class II with the added ability to house a stereoscopic microscope. The sash is fitted with a Pure-Vu seal that allows the microscope's oculars to extend beyond the sash while still providing containment. Available in 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-foot widths, these products also are available with mobile base stands.

XPert® Balance Systems and the XPert® Nano Enclosures are self-contained recirculating enclosures that protect laboratory personnel during applications requiring the handling and/or weighing of hazardous particulates down to the nano-particulate level. These products are available in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-foot widths. Accessory mobile base stands with telescoping height adjustable legs and casters with toe locks are available.

Water purification systems that traditionally are mounted on walls are now modular as well. The WaterPro® RO and PS Polishing Systems produce a medium grade reagent water and ultra purified (Type I) water for critical instrumental analysis.

One or both of the WaterPro Systems may be attached to our mobile supporting base stand that facilitates easy connection to a water supply and drain line using common quick disconnect fittings.

Labconco freestanding glassware washers also have conversion kits that can provide mobility. The SteamScrubber® and FlaskScrubber® Glassware Washers offer a variety of inserts to customize the washer for the various needs of a laboratory.

Each washer includes 4 casters and tubing with a quick disconnect fitting for a standard laboratory faucet, providing supply water and a drain for the glassware washer.

WaterPro RO/PS Mobile Stand Modular laboratories are an excellent solution to keep laboratory costs down, providing greater flexibility. Modular equipment, such as the Labconco products above, enhance existing labs or supply new or specialized capabilities, temporarily or long term.

For more information, please visit www.labconco.com.