| What goes on in a laboratory is often kept quiet and | | | | toxic vapours. The cupboard extracts the fumes from |
| somewhat low-key. But truth be told, laboratories play | | | | the front, and then expels them out of the room. |
| a crucial role within our society. Whether used in | | | | Laboratories are incorporated within an increasing |
| educational establishments, industrial businesses, | | | | number of large businesses nowadays. This could |
| onboard ships, or inside the government itself, a humble | | | | range from an electrical organisation, an environmental |
| fume cupboard or safety cabinets are the locations of | | | | and food testing company, a health and safety |
| scientific breakthroughs and the passing on of | | | | corporation or a chemistry based industry such as |
| knowledge from generation to generation. | | | | pharmaceuticals. Research is carried out on products, |
| Researchers are continually testing products and | | | | allowing companies to advise the government, other |
| philosophies - reaffirming what is known and | | | | associations and the consuming public. |
| discovering what is not. | | | | By businesses trying and testing within their own walls, |
| The starting point for laboratory experience is at | | | | they can publicise the fact that they are scientific, |
| school. For years children have been enjoying their | | | | innovative and dedicated to reaching the optimum |
| interactive science lessons, where they can learn | | | | standards. Happy customers make a happy business. |
| about everything from electrolysis to radioactivity. Of | | | | Big companies have the opportunity to afford vast |
| course extra precautions need to be considered in this | | | | facilities using an entire team of engineers and |
| environment. There are numerous hazards, ranging | | | | scientists. Smaller firms, on the other hand, may only |
| from excessive temperatures, flammable materials, | | | | have one or two employees behind the scenes. |
| high voltages, functioning machinery, to poisonous | | | | But when most people think of laboratories, they think |
| substances. | | | | of those scientific discoveries that were in the news. In |
| Safety cabinets are often provided to protect pupils | | | | 1953, the structure of the DNA-helix was presented to |
| from hazardous materials. The overall laboratory | | | | the world when James Watson and Francis Crick |
| design is crucial to its level of safety. First of all, | | | | discovered the molecule that holds genetic information. |
| storage is essential to contain apparatus and school | | | | In 2001, a heart transplant was carried out using an |
| bags to prevent students tripping over objects. | | | | artificial heart created by hospital scientists in Kentucky. |
| Benches are supplied as a surface space for | | | | And parents can rest easy now that thousands of |
| conducting experiments on or when sitting and writing | | | | children are saved every year from potentially fatal |
| up theory work. The benches must have enough | | | | illnesses such as measles and meningitis, after |
| space underneath to stowaway stools, and also far | | | | researchers created effective vaccines. All achieved |
| enough apart from each other to allow for traffic. | | | | through effective laboratory design and dedicated |
| Normally each pupil has the use of one built-in gas tap | | | | researchers. |
| and an electrical socket. Sinks should also be located | | | | It quickly becomes clear how much society needs |
| at several points around the room for cleaning | | | | laboratories. They are used everywhere, from children |
| equipment and hand washing. | | | | at school to scientists in hospitals. Our livelihood relies |
| The rules of layout and basic facilities available are | | | | on them, whether for food quality or during a medical |
| similar in most laboratories. Obviously the more | | | | emergency. And our future depends on them -for the |
| complex the work, the more equipment is necessary. | | | | geniuses working away behind the scenes are |
| When workers are dealing with harmful substances, a | | | | discovering new things every day. |
| fume cupboard is integrated to limit their exposure to | | | | |