The Scientific Equipment & Furniture Association

Laboratory Grade Casework Solutions

Dana Dahlgren VP Sales and Marketing

Mario Di Fonte VP Sales and Marketing

What is the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association

• Voluntary International Trade Association consisting of 140 member Companies;

• Members include manufacturers, fabricators, planners, architects, designers, engineers, general contractors, dealers and installers;

SEFA’s Mission Statement

• To become the organization of choice that enables and supports all involved parties in creating humane, safe and effective laboratory environments.

• To be the leader in creating laboratory solutions that combine organizational, technological and environmental systems that respond creatively to strategic business issues.

• To be the premier organization that provides leadership and teaches member and constituent groups how to work together as a coherent group to create laboratory solutions.

SEFA Recommended Practices

SEFA, through its members, develops performance based Recommended Practices.

These Recommended Practices are intended to insure that the furniture and equipment used in laboratories is able to meet the rigorous demands of the lab environment --

- Chemical abuse

- Physical abuse

- Wet conditions

- Lack of Maintenance

A higher standard is required to meet and exceed end-user expectations.

What is SEFA 8? SEFA 8 is a performance based standard to evaluate Laboratory Casework for safety, durability and structural integrity.

It is the only existing international standard designed to specifically insure the quality and performance of laboratory casework.

Five Casework Types– Metal (SEFA 8-M)

Phenolic Resin (SEFA 8-PH)

Plastic Laminate (SEFA 8-PL)

Polypropylene (SEFA 8-P)

Wood (SEFA 8-W)

What is tested?

Cabinet Total load Test Concentrated load Torsion Submersion test

Drawer Static test Impact test Internal rolling test Slide cycle test

Concentrated Load Test

Sample Test – Drawer Static Test

Demonstrates the ability to support a point load positioned at the front of the drawer and challenges the attachment of the drawer head to the drawer.

Static 150lb. (68Kg) load is attached to the center of an open drawer

Chemical Resistance Testing

This test applies to Laboratory Grade Casework (SEFA 8’s); Work Surfaces (SEFA 3) and Fixtures (SEFA 7). A list of 49 volatile and non-volatile chemicals ranging from Amyl Acetate to Zinc Chloride; Sulfuric, Nitric and Phosphoric acids in a variety of strengths; Benzene; Acetone; Iodine; even the effects of Phenol; Toluene and Gasoline are tested on the finished surface.

Test Method Method A - Test volatile chemicals by placing a cotton ball saturated with reagent in the mouth of a 1-oz. (29.574cc) bottle and inverting the bottle on the surface of the sample. The cotton ball shall remain in contact with the sample for the duration of the test.

Method B – Test non-volatile chemicals by placing five drops of the reagent on the surface of the sample and covering with a 24mm watch glass, convex side down.

For both of the above methods, leave the reagents on the sample for a period of one hour. Wash off the sample with water, clean with detergent and naptha, and rinse with deionized water. Dry with a towel and evaluate after 24-hours at 73± 3°F (23°± 2°C) and 50± 5% relative humidity, or the currently accepted guideline set by ASTM using the following rating system:

Level 0 - No detectable change.

Level 1 - Slight change in color or gloss.

Level 2 - Slight surface etching or severe staining.

Level 3 - Pitting, cratering, swelling, or erosion

Evaluation

Acceptance Level

The Range of Results is provided to establish the acceptable range for Laboratory Grade Finishes. Results will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Laboratory grade finishes shall result in no more than four Level 3 conditions. Individual test results for the specified 49 reagents will be verified with the established third party, independent SEFA 8 test submittal form. Suitability for a given application is dependent upon the chemicals used in a given laboratory.

Who can perform SEFA 8 Testing?

SEFA Product Testing is a voluntary process by which SEFA grants

recognition to a SEFA member company’s product which has met the

qualifications.

Below is a list of SEFA’s approved third-party testing labs. For additional

information on these facilities visit sefalabs.com or contact the lab

directly through the weblinks below.

Bjorksten | bit 7

www.bjorksten.com

Exova

www.exova.com

Cardinal Environmental

www.cardinalenvironmental.com

Gaynes Labs, Inc.,

www.gaynestesting.com

IMR Test Labs

www.imrtest.com

Intertek

www.intertek-etlsemko.com

Micom Laboratories, Inc.,

www.micomlab.com

SGS Testing Co.

www.cn.sgs.com

Why Do We Commit Ourselves To This Process?

To guarantee the safety and protection of our customers and the lab users…. ….in order to avoid…… ….but to ensure……

Safe labs for a better tomorrow®

How Do You Benefit From This Testing?

• These standards establish a known level of quality and reliability designed with the laboratory in mind –

“LABORATORY GRADE”

• These tests establish results that meet or exceed standards established by:

- ANSI – American National Standards Institute - BHMA – Builder Hardware Manufacturers Association

- ICC – International Code Council (formerly BOCA – Building Officials & Code Administrators)

- BIFMA – Business & Industrial Furniture Manufacturer’s Association

- AWS – Architectural Woodwork Standards

The Evolution of Adaptable Laboratory

Furniture Systems

1960’s C-Frame

1970’s

J-Frame

Herman Miller Co/Stru

1980’s Core-Based Systems

1990’s

Wall and Panel-based systems

Edison 1 Add a Drawer

European Influence

Free-standing Workstation Edison 2

The Wing

2000’s

Mobile Carts and Overhead Services

SEFA 10 -2013 Scope & Purpose SEFA 10 is intended provide designers, architects, purchasers and manufacturers workable tools for evaluating various classes of adaptable laboratory furniture systems.

This Recommended Practice provides descriptions of various adaptable laboratory furniture systems and evaluates important features of each system. Adaptability, strength, and functionality are rated for each adaptable system described along with how each system integrates with lab services and utilities.

Definitions Section 3.0

SEFA 10-2013 defines Adaptable lab-grade furniture as “modular furniture assemblies consisting of individual components including support structures, cabinets and storage units, work surfaces, shelving and accessories.”

A mobile cabinet is defined “as a free-standing base cabinet storage device mounted on casters or glides.” (Section 3.4)

Classes of Adaptable Systems Section 4.0

SEFA 10 uses the above graphic to identify the eight classes of Adaptable Systems and their ranking -

Least Adaptive

(Class 1 - Floor Mounted) to

Most Adaptive (Class 8 - Mobile Workstation)

Appendix A Class Adaptability Rating Chart

Each Class is given a numerical range (low to high) for each function. Different configurations of each system can have an impact on a particular function. The total point score establishes the Class designation.

POINTS DEFINITION 0 = Requires new components 1 = Requires trade contractors & casework installation personnel 2 = Requires casework installation personnel 3 = Can be accomplished with facility personnel 4 = Can be accomplished by the end-user

Appendix B Functionality Rating Chart

SEFA 10 is a valuable tool intended to assist architects, lab planners and end-users in evaluating and selecting the appropriate adaptable casework system to fit their particular project needs.

What’s Next ?

- The Committee is drafting additional language with regard to the proper use of the SEFA 10 Charts;

- SEFA Advisory Board Members are working with the Committee to put together a baseline specification and provide vibration requirements in order to establish criteria for the vibration test.

SEFA Desk Reference 5th Edition Version 1.0

The SEFA 8’s, SEFA 10 and all of SEFA’s other Recommended Practices are contained in the Desk Reference.

SEFA World Headquarters

65 Hilton Avenue – Garden City, NY 11530 USA

www.sefalabs.com

Questions - Discussion LABORATORY GRADE CASEWORK SOLUTIONS

SEFA 8 and SEFA 10

You can download a copy of this presentation from the link on the homepage at www.sefalabs.com

DANA DAHLGREN VP Sales and Marketing

Kewaunee Scientific

Mario DiFonte VP Sales and Marketing

Mott Manufacturing