For physics lab design, as for the planning and design for general labs and science laboratory refurbishment, Tecomak are specialists in their field, working with customers in education, healthcare and industry.
Elements for Consideration in Physics Lab Design
When carrying out a physics lab design, many of the standard design elements that we would recommend for labs in all sectors and for any use – including for education, healthcare and industry – need to be taken into account. These elements include:
Layout – the layout chosen for your physics lab will vary considerably depending upon the nature of the laboratory, but in the teaching environment, it is usual for benching to be laid out facing the front of the classroom and the teacher’s space. Research should also be undertaken to ensure a thorough understanding of the workflow, how people will work and the best positioning of all furniture and equipment, as well as the equipment needs themselves.
Fixtures and fittings – your windows and doors, interior decoration, and your ceiling, lighting and flooring will all need consideration, and here, the physics lab varies from other labs with a requirement for a black out blind provision.
Furniture – with a choice of three different benching options – either pedestal (where the worktops are supported by the cupboard units underneath), cantilever (supported upon a framework with cantilever steel legs) or suspended (allowing complete access for cleaning flooring underneath), the benches you choose, as well as the type of work surface you prefer will need to be planned, as will seating and storage solutions.
Ventilation – more than likely needing a general ventilation system rather than a specialist one, the physics laboratory could also have a requirement for a fume cupboard, and this will need to be planned in, with regulatory guidance adhered to.
Specialist equipment – as well as a balance and a force table, space needs to be considered for other large pieces of equipment, such as free fall apparatus and storage needs to take into account other equipment needs – in education, high quantities of each item may be needed for practical work.
Facilities and services – with a clear focus on electricity and mechanics, as well as light, heat, energy, sound and radioactivity, electricity is the main service that is used in a physics lab, while gas, water and waste will also need to be planned in at different sections of the room.
Regulatory requirements – knowing the standards and guidelines that apply to your industry and complying with these within your lab design and layout is essential – within the educational physics lab environment, the Department of Education and Employment’s Building Bulletin 88 – offering guidance on the legal requirements relating to fume cupboards – is especially relevant.
A Case in Point – Physics Lab Design Refurbishment Within A South Coast School
As a part of a whole department science laboratory refurbishment for a school on the south coast of England, Tecomak were chosen for their high-quality service and attention to detail to carry out its physics lab redesign.
Creating and installing a loose dais for the front of the class for lecturing, and with all benching facing the front of the laboratory, we designed and fitted Trespa Athlon work surfaces – a solid grade laminate acid resisting material noted for its modern style – and well situated storage units, as well as fitting Epoxy resin sinks for their resistance to high mechanical and thermal shock. We also installed lab taps, gas taps and electrical sockets.
From the initial enquiry from the school, through our design and quotation process to the build and completion, our physics lab design and installation was delivered within just four months – on time and on budget.
Science Laboratory Refurbishment from Tecomak Furniture Solutions
Whether you need a partial science laboratory refurbishment or a new installation, Tecomak can deliver physics lab design that suits your needs both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Click here to get in touch.
