Science Lab Furniture Safety Standards

A science lab is the highest-risk room in any school. Furniture choice is a first line of defense.

Worktop materials

• Epoxy resin — best all-round; resists acids, bases, solvents, and 300°C heat
• Trespa TopLab — lighter, chemical resistant, good for KG–primary
• Stainless steel — biology and prep rooms only
• Ceramic — legacy; brittle, avoid in new builds

Fume hoods

Minimum face velocity: 0.5 m/s. Sash height marked at 450 mm working position. Bypass design prevents turbulence at low sash.

Emergency infrastructure

• Eyewash within 10 seconds unobstructed travel
• Safety shower within same 10-second radius
• Fire blanket + Class D extinguisher at every teacher station

Storage

• Corrosive cabinet: polypropylene liner, bottom-vented
• Flammable cabinet: FM-approved, self-closing, 44 mm double wall
• Segregate acids and bases in different cabinets

Student stools

No backrests in wet labs (fire evacuation). Anti-static and chemical-resistant seat pads.

Compliance frameworks referenced

CLEAPSS (UK), NSTA (US), ADEK Health & Safety Policy (Abu Dhabi), KHDA guidelines (Dubai).

Download our free Science Lab Fit-Out Checklist — 62 items every school should verify before opening a new lab.