LABORATORY FLOORING
The floor is constructed based on the load it is to carry like, the number of benches, types of equipment e.t.c
The materials used in various laboratories may not be the same as they are selected in accordance with the type of work to be done in the laboratory.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING FLOORING MATERIALS
1. Safety
The materials must be safe to work on.
2. Resistant
It must be resistant to substances that will likely spill upon it.
3. Resistance to wear
It must not wear out or get spoilt easily.
4. Comfort
It must bring comfort to the worker.
5. Ease of cleaning
It must be easy to clean and maintain.
6. Appearance
It must appear well to the eye and look attractive.
7. Noise
It must not be noisy so that those working in the laboratory will not be distracted.
8. Warmth
It must be warmth to touch
9. Resistance to indentation
It must not be a type that can be scratched or have a mark when every object falls on it or when any ink drops of it.
10. Durability
It must have a very long life span
11. Cost
It must be reasonably cheap.
THE COMMON FLOORING MATERIALS USED ARE:
1. WOOD
Hard woods are suitable for laboratory flooring purposes, they can withstand harsh treatment, and they are little affected when substances accidentally spills on them, their good natural appearance is enhanced by light application of wax polish which ___________ to preserve them.
Wood is not slippery, it is warm and comfortable to stand on, but can be noisy. The most most suitable hard for laboratory floor is strip or strip paquet. Wood is recommended for use in the Laboratories and rooms where water is not often used. They are tinder to glass wares and reduce glass breakages.
2. CONCRETE
Concrete floors are dusty, cold, uncomfortable to stand on they withstand reaction when substances like chemical spills on them, but they are resistant to acid if they are cemented with high silicon materials.
3. TERRAZZO
Terrazzo floors consist of small marble sheet mixed with cement, tinted cement can be used to bring about various or different colours to make it attractive. It can be easily cleared and washed, it is harsh, noisy, cold and not easily attacked by acids. Its main use is in corridors and always where the traffic is heavy, and it is mainly used in Laboratories where hygenic conditions are necessary.
WORK BENCHES
LAYOUT AND ARRANGEMENT
Laboratory benches could be thoroughly built or made in form of unit assembly (fixed or easily detached).
The unit assembly have the advantage of being able to be dismantled and reassembled in different ways.
This process allows for flexibility and expansion.
Services provided on benches represent a large proportion of the bench cost. This services that most of the bench cost. This services that most of the benches require is a water supply and electricity/power means, this entails provision of sinks, drain system and sockets.
SINKS
Location of sinks usually gives problems to the laboratory design, and they should if possible be positioned in accordance with the sequence of what to be done on the bench. In teaching Laboratories, it is best to allow one sink for each student. They may be placed in openings in the working surfaces, close to the working positions or at the ends of benches, although since placed on a bench top takes up a bench space. This is compensated for by the conviniency of this arrangement. Sincs may also be placed in the centre of the bench top to be shared between persons working on opposite sides of the bench, for this arrangement is economically inconvenient.
Thanks
Courtesy: Oladapo Odedeyi Olayinka