How to Build a Lab Bench

Lab Bench Materials

Here are a few important questions to take into consideration when choosing materials for your laboratory bench:

• What is the durability of the materials available – what will they stand up to?
• What are the chemical- and flame-resistant properties of the finishes?
• How easy will it be to clean the material after an experiment or test?

Space in Your Laboratory

Whether you’re planning a laboratory for your home, business, or school, spacing and sizing are important aspects to take into consideration. The first thing to assess is overall space. Ask yourself, “Do I have enough room to build a functional laboratory at this location?”

Building a laboratory doesn’t have to be limited to commercial labs or educational science rooms. If you’re an at-home enthusiast, a garage, attic or spare room may do the trick. No matter where you put your lab, always ensure your laboratory has sufficient ventilation.

Lab Bench Depth

Benchtops for different applications vary in depth. The length of the benchtop is determined by your specific needs. Here is a general guideline for bench depth:

Benchtop Height

Benchtop height might seem like it’s standard, but it isn’t. The height of your bench determines two very essential aspects:

• How comfortable the scientist or student will be when working at the station
• How the height influences many other features of the workstation, such as plumbing, electrical, placement of overhead cabinetry, etc.

One thing to take into consideration is to make sure there is adequate legroom for a person sitting on a stool or chair at the bench. You’ll want your scientists (whether amateur or expert) comfortable when conducting tests, experiments, and analysis.

Aisle Width

The standard for aisle width in professional laboratories is five feet. This allows enough room for people to pass behind a person working. It also allows for minimal effort when moving equipment, samples, and other apparatus to the benchwork behind.

Lab Bench Materials

For clean rooms, polypropylene or stainless steel frames and tops may be used. When picking out materials, keep in mind how you will be using your bench. The supplies you use and the weight the bench will need to bear are important.

Safety and Efficiency in Your Laboratory

Safety in the laboratory cannot be stressed enough. Even if you’re not working with hazardous chemicals, the number one rule is always safety. Make sure you always wear your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and have it stored in an easily accessible place.

There may be state regulations on K-12 work areas, especially regarding walkway widths, fume hood placement, and casework design.

Sinks and Washing Stations

Sinks are a great addition to any lab and are required in most professional labs. Having a sink in your lab supplies you with a convenient place to wash your equipment and yourself. In case of emergency, eyewash stations are a smart choice as well.

Eyewash stations can be incorporated into your sink setup. Most laboratories, especially ones handling hazardous materials have foot, elbow, or electronic controls to turn water on and off. If you have one sink or many, an eyewash station is recommended for at least one sink.

For classroom applications, the National Science Teachers Association (NTSA) recommends one sink per five students. At least one sink should be ADA-approved for use for disabled students. An additional sink with an adjacent 6- to 8-foot counter area is recommended for the instructor’s use.

According to the NTSA, classroom sinks:

• Must contain hot and cold water
• Must be handicap accessible (at least one)
• Must be at least 8 inches deep
• Must have tall swiveling, aerating faucets
• Must contain a clearly marked eyewash station (at least one)

Space for Safety

The NTSA also recommends 45 square feet of space be available for each student. This ensures students can work comfortably and safely. This number can also be applied to commercial labs.

Work surfaces are an important aspect of your lab bench. It may come into contact with hazardous material or flame, so it’s very important the work surface of your lab bench is chemical- and fire-resistant, smooth, and easy to clean.

In addition, all benchwork should be easy to repair. To enhance the efficiency of your laboratory, task lighting is a smart addition.

For flooring under and near lab benches, chemically-resistant covered flooring is a must-have. Full sheets of flooring instead of tiles are recommended, because tiles may degrade or loosen over time, making the laboratory unsafe.

Rubberized materials for benchtops or flooring (with a small amount of slip-resistant grit) are a desirable and popular feature for chemical laboratories.

For ventilation, the rule of thumb is one fume hood required for every two people who work with hazardous chemicals. This ensures safety for those people and leaves enough room for others to conduct experiments and tests.

Laboratory Adaptability

It’s important for a lab to have the ability to change and adapt quickly and effortlessly. This is why Lee Engineering’s lab framework is designed – to offer scientists, students, and amateur chemists equipment to adapt to their needs. Every piece of equipment we sell is made with ease of use in mind. We are also highly focused on durability and safety – two other very important things in a laboratory setting.

For permanent applications and laboratory setups, our lab frames are easily attached to lab benches, walls, and flooring. For temporary setups, we offer convenient lab frame lattice stands with all of the safety and durability characteristics we guarantee with all of our products.