Science Lab Casework and Cabinets for Schools
Student stations, teacher demo desks, ADA stations and chemical storage built for daily classroom use. Labs USA plans school science lab casework room by room and installs it nationwide.
Casework Built for School Science Labs
Science lab casework is the cabinet, countertop and sink system that turns a classroom into a working lab. Middle schools, high schools, career and technical centers, private schools and community colleges all need it, and it has to survive things a research lab never sees: hundreds of students a week, spilled reagents, dropped glassware and summer-only install windows.
Demand is broad. In 2019, 34 percent of graduates from traditional public high schools had completed biology, chemistry and physics (NCES), and each of those courses needs real lab time. This page covers how to choose science lab cabinets and casework for those rooms. It is part of our laboratory casework range, and Labs USA plans, supplies and installs it nationwide.
Choose a Science Lab Layout
Start with how the room is taught. The layout decides how many cabinets, sinks and service fixtures you need, and where the plumbing and gas have to run.
Size the room for the class. NSTA, the national science teachers association, says classes of more than 24 students doing science activities cannot be safely supervised by one teacher (NSTA position statement). Building codes also set occupancy loads; NSTA notes that labs are figured at one person per 50 net square feet, compared with 20 for a regular classroom (NSTA on lab occupancy). Plan student stations, aisles and casework to that number, not to the largest class on the schedule. Our guide to science laboratories in schools covers room types and layout in more depth.
Student Stations, Demo Desks and Storage
Student stations. Each station needs a work surface, a sink within reach, power and, in chemistry rooms, gas. Base cabinets under the station hold the kits for that group so students are not crossing the room for supplies. Lockable drawers keep small tools and glassware under control between classes.
Teacher demonstration desk. The demo desk sits at the front with its own sink, gas and power so every student can see a demonstration. Many schools add a benchtop or ducted fume hood on the perimeter for demonstrations that release vapors; see our fume hood guide for school labs.
Wall cabinets and tall storage. Glass-door wall cabinets keep frequently used glassware visible. Tall cabinets hold bulky models, microscopes and equipment that should not sit on open shelves.
Accessible Student Lab Stations
An accessible student station is a requirement, not an extra. Where work surfaces are provided for people other than employees, the 2010 ADA Standards require at least 5 percent of them to be accessible (ADA section 226.1). Accessible surfaces must be 28 to 34 inches above the floor with knee and toe clearance, and the standard lists student laboratory stations as an example (ADA section 902).
In practice, that means at least one station per lab with a lowered top, open knee space, a reachable sink with lever handles and controls within reach. Plan it as part of the casework run so it matches the rest of the room, rather than adding a separate table later.
Cabinet and Countertop Materials by Subject
Cabinet bodies. Powder-coated steel casework is the long-life choice for school labs. It resists chemicals and moisture, and it takes daily abuse from students. Wood and plastic laminate cabinets cost less and work in dry rooms such as physics or general science, but they wear faster around sinks.
Work surfaces. Epoxy resin is the classic chemistry top: it handles heat, acids and wet work. Phenolic resin is lighter and very scratch resistant, which makes it a good fit for biology, physics and general science rooms. Compare them in our epoxy vs phenolic guide and our science lab tables guide.
- Chemistry: epoxy resin tops, steel base cabinets, sinks at every station, gas and a fume hood
- Biology: phenolic or epoxy tops, more sinks, microscope storage and easy-clean surfaces
- Physics and engineering: phenolic or laminate tops, more power, open floor space and tall storage
- Middle school general science: perimeter casework with movable tables and fewer gas outlets
Chemical Storage, Eyewash and Shutoffs
Chemical storage. Keep reagents in the prep room, not the classroom. Flammable liquids belong in rated cabinets; OSHA limits a single storage cabinet to 60 gallons of Category 1, 2 or 3 flammable liquids (29 CFR 1910.106). Acids and bases need their own corrosive cabinets. The fire code standard NFPA 45 added a chapter for educational and instructional labs in 2015 that applies regardless of how much chemical is on hand (NFPA 45). Our school chemical storage guide and laboratory safety cabinets page cover the options.
Eyewash and showers. Plumb them in. NSTA’s summary of ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 calls for tepid water for 15 minutes, valves that open in one second or less, and plumbed units in science labs (NSTA on eyewash stations). Leave wall space and clear access when you lay out the casework.
Master shutoffs. A teacher-controlled gas and electrical shutoff at the demo desk or door is common in school labs. Confirm what your district and local code require.
Planning School Science Lab Casework
School projects run on fixed calendars, so start early. Casework and resin tops have lead times, and most installs have to finish before students return. Bring these details to the first call:
- Which subjects each room serves and the largest class size
- Room drawings or measurements, plus existing plumbing, gas and exhaust locations
- Number of student stations and whether any must stay movable
- Prep room storage needs, including flammable and corrosive chemicals
- Install window, budget source and any state or district purchasing rules
How Labs USA Works With Schools
Walk the Rooms
We review each lab and prep room, the subjects taught and the class size.
Plan the Layout
We draw a free layout with stations, demo desk, storage, ADA station and services.
Coordinate Trades
We share plumbing, gas, power and exhaust locations with your architect or contractor.
Install on Schedule
We deliver and install, often during summer break, and check every station before handover.
See how this works in real projects: a teaching lab casework project at Weber State University and a school fume hood installation at Whitefield Academy. Utah districts can read our high school chemistry lab casework guide and community college lab furniture guide. For colleges and universities, see university and education lab furniture. Call (801) 855-8560 to talk with our team.
Shop Chemical Storage for School Science Labs
Related products, not science lab casework. Corrosive cabinets and safety cans belong in the prep room next to your casework. Casework, tops and sinks are quoted per project. Call (801) 855-8560.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best casework for a school science lab?
Powder-coated steel base cabinets with epoxy resin tops are the most durable choice for chemistry and wet labs. Phenolic tops suit biology, physics and general science rooms.
How many students should a science lab be designed for?
NSTA recommends no more than 24 students per teacher during science activities, and building codes figure lab occupancy at about one person per 50 net square feet.
Do school science labs need an ADA accessible station?
Yes. The 2010 ADA Standards require at least 5 percent of student work surfaces to be accessible, 28 to 34 inches high with knee and toe clearance.
Epoxy or phenolic tops for a school lab?
Epoxy resin handles heat and strong chemicals best, so it fits chemistry. Phenolic resin is lighter and more scratch resistant, so it fits most other science rooms.
When should a school order science lab casework?
Plan in the fall or winter for a summer install. Casework and resin tops have lead times, and installs usually have to finish before students return.
Does Labs USA install school lab casework outside Utah?
Yes. Labs USA is based in Salt Lake City and plans, supplies and installs science lab casework for schools across the United States.
Planning a new or renovated science lab?
Share your rooms, subjects and class sizes. We will plan the casework, tops, sinks and storage for every lab and prep room.
Get a Free Quote Call (801) 855-8560