Comprehensive Checklist for Your LAF Cabinet.
Are you considering acquiring an LAF cabinet for the first time – or do you want to replace an outdated cabinet? Here are some key points to consider
It's not without reason that an LAF cabinet is also known as a safety cabinet – it is precisely the desire to work safely with hazardous samples without risk that makes the use of the cabinet essential.
Seek Advice
Good advice is crucial because it matters which cabinet you choose for the task: The number of filters, size, ventilation, correct placement, opportunity for qualified service, and approved certifications are parameters that increase safety. We have a well-developed showroom where several makes of LAF cabinets are displayed – it is even possible to see how the connection to ventilation should be made.
Project Management
If it involves multiple cabinets or a complete refurbishment of the laboratory/cleanroom, professional project management should be considered – not because it increases the safety of LAF work, but because it makes it hassle-free to install a new LAF cabinet in the laboratory.
Education
The safety of an LAF cabinet cannot be ensured by technology alone – it also requires qualified use of it, so that the behavior around the cabinet does not compromise safety. A "LAF License" course, where one learns to work correctly in an LAF cabinet – regardless of which make of cabinet one has – can be taken at Holm & Halby. The license is highly recognized in many workplaces and is a requirement at some companies to use an LAF cabinet.
Remember Certifications
Conversely, correct behavior alone is not enough – certified safety in the form of a certificate confirming that the cabinet meets current standards is necessary. It is not enough that it is produced in accordance with legislation, it must also have an independent authority confirm this in the form of a certificate.
Read about certificates here.
Service
When a cabinet is installed – or later needs inspection – it is important that it is done by qualified technicians with calibrated equipment. We have a number of technicians across the country who focus exclusively on LAF service. They are all trained by our suppliers and know exactly the cabinet they are dealing with. The equipment used is calibrated and certified, so traceability is always in order.
Focus on Energy Consumption
There are several popular cabinets that belong to an older technical generation but are still used in many laboratories, including the classic Holten Safe2010 1.2. This cabinet uses more than five times as much energy as a comparable new Mars 1200 cabinet. This is partly because the fans in the Mars cabinet are EC fans, which are far more efficient than traditional AC fans. Other factors, such as LED lighting inside the cabinet and a PIR sensor that automatically puts the cabinet in "ECO mode" when not in use, also help to reduce energy consumption.
You can calculate the energy consumption of Labogene cabinets here.
Environmental Considerations:
Proper Delivery: Correct delivery and installation to minimize downtime and hassle.
Disposal: We assist you with the environmentally proper disposal of your old cabinet - both to integrate the cabinet into the circular product cycle and to ensure compliance with legislation.
Contact Us
If you would like to know more about the right choice for your next LAF cabinet, feel free to contact our product specialists for a non-binding review of the possibilities with a 360-degree overview.
