Routine maintenance of laboratory equipment will ensure that the experiments are conducted efficiently and without malfunctions, and will avoid unnecessary repair expenses. A clean laboratory without dust and dirt is the basis for proper equipment.
How To Clean Laboratory Equipment-General
General cleaning:
Lab cleaning is one of the easiest, most affordable and obvious ways to keep your lab in great condition.
Recommended:
- Wipe every day the equipment used, cover the sensitive equipment such as microscopes so that dust does not damage the lenses, cover analytical balances and any other sensitive device.- Perform a thorough cleaning once a week of all equipment.
- Perform a thorough and regular cleaning of microscopes using a 70:30 mixture of alcohol. This will ensure you that they are clean enough to yield the most accurate results.
-Lenses should not be touched with your hands and should only be cleaned with rice paper.
- Consider performing an external inspection of cleaning large items by a qualified company. Maintaining and cleaning third-party equipment can be a cost-effective alternative.
-Developing ventilation dust should be cleaned in refrigeration facilities such as refrigerators, freezers, chillers, etc.
-Avoid introducing dust, smoke, such as incinerators and oil pumps into the laboratory. It is also possible to install appropriate filters.
Performing these simple cleaning procedures will help you keep the equipment in good condition and with maximum accuracy. Exposed surfaces should be wiped on a daily basis.
Calibration Of Laboratory Equipment
Failure to calibrate laboratory equipment regularly can lead to inaccuracies in the data, which will impair experiments. In addition, proper calibration can also improve laboratory safety wherever hazardous chemicals are used.
recommended:
- Perform an inventory check of the equipment and decide which calibration is best for each item
-Calibrate equipment regularly in order to maintain maximum accuracy.
Repairs of Laboratory Equipment
Sometimes lab equipment will break down or stop working. But instead of throwing straight into the trash, take the time to see if parts can be replaced or the equipment repaired.
Especially with larger items such as Laboratory ovens, incubators, which low cost repair and replacement parts can be an effective way to significantly increase life expectancy and save unnecessary costs.
New and used laboratory Equipment
Sometimes you will not be able to repair the device and you will have to look for a new device. It can be tempting to take what initially looks like a cost-effective price and purchase the cheaper model but this is simply not true, the cheaper equipment is more likely to break down because its components are less quality - motors, gaskets, controllers, sensors and more.
Therefore, choosing quality lab equipment over less expensive alternatives usually offers improved durability, especially for equipment items that are used regularly.
List of things for general laboratory equipment maintenance
-Clean every day: It is recommended to have a basic cleaning list in the lab to remind the staff what things need to be taken care of on a daily basis.
- Check the personal equipment: The quality condition must be maintained before starting any project.
- Hand washing: Sinks should be kept clean, while soap, disinfectant and towels should be provided.
-It is important to keep stock of all the items that require storage in refrigerators and freezers and know their quantity and expiration date.
-Emergency and safety exits: Tests must be performed on your fire and sprinkler safety systems in the laboratory.
Laboratory Safety Symbols
- General warning: signage reminds us that the area where you work may contain risks and you must work accordingly.
-Flammable material: This mark usually appears in laboratories and means that there may be flammable materials.
- Toxic substance: You will find entry areas where substances that may harm humans are kept.
-Low / High Temperature: The icon indicates an area with low/high temperature.
-Non-ionizing radiation: You will find this symbol in areas where there is non-ionizing radiation.
-Oxidizing material: oxidizing substances such as bromine, chlorates, perchloric acid and peroxides.
-Danger of laser beam.
- Danger of explosives: This symbol indicates that chemicals with explosive properties exist in the area
How to keep the laboratory and its equipment clean
Scientific laboratories have expensive equipment to maintain and use. These include microscopes, centrifuges, and other laboratory equipment. Proper maintenance and usage of these tools are vital for successful scientific experiments. It is important to ensure that these items are properly maintained, cleaned, and sterilized before use to prevent contamination or injury. Regularly inspect the condition of each piece of equipment and following any manufacturer-provided instructions can help keep lab environments safe and productive.
Most research centers with an on-site laboratory have a set of regulations that must be adhered to while working in the lab. Each laboratory has equipment that needs a high level of care, such as flask scrubbers, sinks, fume chambers, laboratory countertops, dishwashers, glass containers and beakers, fume hoods, canopy hoods, and evidence drying cabinets. These rules are designed to protect the safety of everyone working in the laboratory by helping to minimize the risk of accidents or contamination.
Laboratory staff strictly follow the protocol to ensure the safe and secure use of each item in the lab. This includes properly disposing materials, sterilizing equipment after each use, ensuring proper ventilation, and following safety protocols when handling hazardous materials. It is important to adhere to these regulations at all times because failure to do so can lead to serious accidents or even death in extreme cases.
Cleaning and Organizing the Laboratory Countertops
Countertops are an important part of any laboratory, especially ones that handle hazardous materials. These surfaces must be kept clean and organized to minimize the risk of contamination or contact with hazardous materials. It is essential to follow specific protocols, which include wearing gloves when handling chemicals, avoiding contact with food items on countertops, and regularly wiping down counters.
When wiping down the countertops, use a soft cloth dampened with soapy water or another approved cleaning solution. This will help remove any dirt or debris that may have been left behind while also killing any bacteria on the surface. Once you've wiped down the countertop, dry it thoroughly with another clean cloth before putting anything back on the counter. Additionally, make sure to keep all chemicals, hazardous materials, and food items away from each other to avoid any potential contamination.