How can you extend the life of your laboratory equipment?
Laboratory equipment represents a substantial and crucial investment in scientific research.
By maximising their lifespan, you can not only reduce costs, but also ensure consistent reliability and precision in experimental results.
Here are a few tips for extending the life of your laboratory equipment.
1. Regular maintenance
Laboratory equipment represents a substantial and crucial investment in scientific research.
By maximising their lifespan, we can not only reduce costs, but also ensure consistent reliability and precision in experimental results.
Regular maintenance is essential to avoid premature wear of the equipment. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for annual inspection and maintenance.
Clean equipment regularly to avoid the build-up of dust and chemical residues, which can damage internal components. Don’t forget to calibrate measuring instruments regularly to maintain their accuracy.
2. Appropriate use
Correct use of the equipment is crucial. Train staff in the correct procedures for using each piece of equipment. Errors in handling can cause irreparable damage.
For example, avoid overloading centrifuges and respect the weight limits of scales. Always use equipment under the temperature and humidity conditions recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Appropriate storage and environment
Proper storage of equipment when not in use is just as important as its correct use.
Keep equipment in clean, dry environments. Use protective covers to keep out dust and moisture.
For sensitive instruments, such as microscopes or chromatographs, make sure they are stored in controlled conditions to avoid fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
Similarly, it’s important to respect installation restrictions and ensure that equipment, even when in use, is located in a suitable area. Avoid corrosive environments.
4. Quick repair of outages
When faults do occur, it is essential to repair them quickly. Ignoring a minor problem can lead to more serious and costly damage.
Establish a partnership with a reliable maintenance service that can intervene quickly when needed.
Keep a stock of common spare parts for minor (first-level) repairs that staff can carry out in-house.
5. Documentation and follow-up
Keep detailed documentation of the use and maintenance of each piece of equipment. A maintenance log helps identify trends and predict potential breakdowns.
It is also useful for laboratory audits and regulatory compliance.
6. Update / Upgrade
Finally, keep up to date with technological innovations. Manufacturers are constantly improving the reliability and efficiency of laboratory equipment.
Investing in upgrades or improvements can extend the life of older equipment by making it more efficient and less prone to breakdowns.
In conclusion, extending the life of laboratory equipment requires a combination of regular maintenance, proper use, adequate storage, prompt repairs and technological updating.
By following this advice, you can not only maximise the life of your equipment, but also guarantee reliable and accurate results for your research.
And if you take good care of your equipment, you’ll be able to sell it on our marketplace when you no longer need it!
