Starting Your Own Laboratory? Don't Panic, We Can Help

Starting Your Own Laboratory? Don’t Panic, We Can Help

[b]Setting up a new laboratory[/b] can be a daunting task, particularly if it’s your first time. You might even be a little worried that you’ll turn up to start work, only to realize that you’ve forgotten to order the gloves! [/size]Worry not, we’ve put our heads together and come up with some handy hints and tips. If this is your first lab startup project, then try approaching a helpful colleague who has recently set up his or her own lab. If you’re lucky, they may still have their checklists and notes to hand. If not, they’ll still be able to offer some useful advice: Find out if you have access to any shared equipment or services within your organization. Start by making a list of what’s essential. Have a separate list for what would be nice and what could be shared – at least temporarily. Arrange a site survey for larger equipment, ventilation and alarm systems etc (see below). Lastly, don’t forget the little things… remember to budget for your lab supplies, reagents etc.

[b]Site surveys:[/b] If you’re going to need any large equipment in your shiny new lab, then it’s best to organize a site survey with your local Capital Equipment Specialist early on in the process. This free survey is needed for the purposes of checking power and water supplies, drainage and ventilation, and building/lab access for larger items. Items likely to need such consideration include (but are not limited to) …

[url=http://www.thelabworldgroup.com/efsc/Autoclaves]Autoclaves[/url]
Glasswashers
[url=http://www.thelabworldgroup.com/efsc/Other%20Misc%20Lab%20Items]Ice flakers[/url]
Large ovens
[url=http://www.thelabworldgroup.com/efsc/Hoods]Class II Biosafety Hood[/url]
Recirculating Chemical Safety Cabinets
[url=http://www.thelabworldgroup.com/efsc/Incubators]Some Plant Growth or Humidity / Stability Chambers[/url]

For large equipment, a survey is needed to make sure that it will fit through doorways and into lifts. You’ll also need a site surveys for oxygen alarms and ventilation systems for cryogenic storage.

[b]Checklists:[/b]

How can you possibly remember everything? The best bet is to use a checklist or two. If you can’t track down a helpful colleague and borrow theirs, then you can always download ours instead. They’re pretty comprehensive, and so, should get you thinking along the right lines. For further inspiration, why not take a good look around your current lab with a notepad and pen, or take a walk around your neighbor’s – you’re bound to come across something that you’ve overlooked.

[b]Budgeting:[/b] When you are ready to approach a company for pricing, make sure you tell them that you’re embarking on lab startup project. That way, you can find out if they offer a startup scheme and whether it suits your needs. In addition, used equipment resellers typically won’t hold on to inventory without some sort of deposit. So if you’re shopping around to get an idea price, but plan to purchase a couple of months later, be sure to let the vendor know. Since these instruments are used, or refurbished, theres a strong chance the vendor has a limited supply. Which means the instrument may no longer be available when it comes time for you to pull the trigger. So be honest with the vendor and start a relationship with them right out of the gate. Who knows, they may hold on to the instrument for you, or even source another one a head time if you give them an effective date of purchase. If you have any questions about starting up your own laboratory, or would like to discuss the fair market value on a certain piece of instrumentation, please give the LabWorldGroup a call today at 617-999-5746. We’re here to help.