Laboratories are highly controlled environments because they are often used for scientific or medical experimentation and must not be compromised by foreign materials. As such, everything about them revolves around the need to maintain high hygiene standards so that there is no risk to compromising the tests being undertaken within them. Creating the right environment is crucial and having easy to clean, durable and yet comfortable spaces for those working in them is a top priority. As such, laboratory wall and flooring products need to be able to meet these stringent conditions.
Laboratory flooring
While laboratory flooring requirements will vary depending on the lab’s specific environment or function, they will all have the need to minimise contamination and have high levels of safety where the risks could include chemical spillages, so the lab flooring will need to be impermeable and easy to clean. Labs in education settings may see heavier use and more frequent footfall and will therefore need durable laboratory flooring solutions. Hygienic and hard wearing, flooring should offer grip in situations where spills may happen and yet be easy to clean and offer comfort underfoot.
Laboratory flooring requirements
There are several laboratory flooring requirements that are of utmost importance. Key amongst these are safety, durability, and hygiene. To maintain high standards of cleanliness, laboratory floors will need a smooth surface that’s easy to clean and to keep dust-free. Crucially, it must also be able to withstand chemical spillages and be stain resistant to not take on lasting damage from such incidents. Slip resistance will also be a concern because of this, as those working in labs will be toiling in environments where spills are potentially quite prevalent. Research and development in a lab may also require long periods of time on your feet and so underfoot comfort can assist in making it a more satisfactory working environment.
Typical lab flooring options
For school or college laboratories, where a robust lab flooring is needed to cope with lots of people, furniture, and equipment,
Altro Classic™ 25/X25 offers specialist R11 slip resistance for locations with contaminants. This makes it ideal for educational laboratories where mistakes are likely to happen. A safety flooring with abrasion resistance, its durability makes it ideal for heavy traffic areas, included wheeled traffic, as well as being good for areas where occasional moisture and dust build up can occur.
Laboratory wall cladding
Laboratory wall cladding provides protection for the walls and offers up a sanitary surface that can be easily wiped, is impermeable, and should be resistant to spills and stains. It has to be the most hygienic of choices and resistant to impacts.
Altro Whiterock White™ is a popular choice in lab walls because of its proven high performance and seamless application. With nowhere for germs to hide, it is easy to maintain, and its white sheen makes it simple to spot dirt.
FAQs
Advantages of vinyl flooring for labs
There are several advantages of vinyl flooring for a laboratory due to it being an impermeable, durable flooring solution that’s easy to maintain. Simple to install and easy to clean and maintain, with good chemical resistance, it’s ideal for use in labs and sturdy enough to cope with heavy and constant foot traffic, and to withstand the pressures of lab trolleys and furniture.
What are some common laboratory flooring properties?
Laboratory flooring should be hygienic, safe, and durable. Performance is where it’s main priorities should be but if it can provide underfoot comfort and look good while doing so then these are added advantages. Common laboratory flooring properties include slip resistance, non-permeability, resistance to chemical and liquid spills, and durability.
What happens if a chemical is spilled on the floor?
If a chemical is spilled on the floor, it is crucial that the spillage is removed immediately. You should then wash the flooring down with clean water and remove the water with a wet vacuum afterwards. We recommend you clean your lab flooring regularly, using the recommended cleaning materials and methods. Altro’s safety floor cleaning guide gives you full details of cleaning products as well as some useful tips.
What is a lab wall?
Lab wall panels need to offer protection to the wall beneath from moisture, heat, and potential contact from the chemicals being used there. On top of this, the ease of maintenance and ability to spot any dirt that has come in contact with them is important and so a clear finish on an easy to wipe down material is the best way to go. Altro Whiterock’s extruded semi-rigid PVC sheet means and crisp white finish make it ideal for such purposes as a science lab wall.
What Is hygienic wall cladding?
A type of cladding that is designed with enhanced hygienic properties, hygienic wall cladding should not attract dirt and have no uneven areas in which germs can potentially hide and multiply. A solution for specific environments where hygiene is a high priority, it is often used in commercial kitchens, clinical settings, healthcare or laboratory environments.
