Mobile Laboratory Shelving Systems & Storage: Optimal Guide
Mobile Laboratory Shelving Systems and Storage: A Complete Guide
For lab managers, facilities planners, and supply chain teams, disorganized storage is more than an inconvenience. It slows down research, creates safety risks, and wastes valuable lab space. Crowded storerooms with fixed, inefficient shelving make it difficult to find critical supplies, manage inventory, and maintain a safe, productive environment for your staff.
The solution is to rethink how you use your available floor space. Mobile laboratory shelving systems offer a strategic way to solve these common problems. By mounting shelving units on wheeled carriages that move along floor rails, you can eliminate wasted aisle space. This design can double your storage capacity in the same footprint.
These systems increase storage density, improve organization, and support safety and compliance. They allow you to consolidate materials, streamline workflows, and create a more efficient laboratory. A well-planned mobile storage solution provides a solid foundation for future growth and adaptation.
How to Choose Mobile Shelving: A 5-Step Checklist
Selecting the right mobile shelving system requires careful planning. This checklist guides you through the process, from assessing your current inventory to planning for future growth. Following these steps will help you choose a system that meets your lab’s specific needs.
Step 1: Document Current and Future Storage Needs
Before looking at shelving, you need a complete picture of what you are storing. Create a detailed inventory list. Document the size, weight, and quantity of all items. Then, consider your lab’s future. Project your storage needs for the next three to five years to ensure your new system can accommodate growth.
Step 2: Measure Your Space and Assess Structural Support
Accurately measure your storage area’s length, width, and ceiling height. Note the location of all obstructions, such as columns, pipes, and sprinkler heads. Most importantly, you must verify the floor’s load-bearing capacity. High density mobile shelving concentrates a large amount of weight in a small area. A structural engineer must confirm that your floor can safely support the fully loaded system.
Step 3: Categorize Items for Mobile vs. Fixed Storage
Not all materials belong on a mobile system. Sort your inventory based on access frequency to create an efficient workflow. Items accessed less often, such as archival samples or bulk supplies, are perfect for high density mobile shelving. Frequently used items should be placed on fixed bench and wall laboratory shelving systems near workstations for quick access.
Step 4: Select Carriage Type, Shelving, and Safety Features
With your inventory and space defined, you can choose the right system components. Decide between a manual-assist or powered carriage system based on your load weights and budget. Select shelf materials, such as steel or wire, that match your cleaning protocols and storage requirements. Finally, choose necessary safety features, like aisle locks and safety sensors.
Step 5: Plan for Workflow Integration and Future Expansion
A successful storage system integrates smoothly into your lab’s daily operations. Plan the layout to create logical and efficient retrieval paths for your team. Consider how the mobile system will interact with other lab furniture and equipment. Discuss options for adding more carriages or reconfiguring shelves in the future to ensure your investment remains valuable for its entire lifecycle.
Types of Mobile Laboratory Shelving Systems
Different laboratory environments have unique storage challenges. The right mobile laboratory shelving solution depends on the materials you handle, from general supplies to sensitive biological samples. Understanding the main types of systems will help you match the technology to your application.
Standard High Density Mobile Shelving
Standard high density mobile shelving is the workhorse for general lab storage. It is ideal for storing bulk consumables, glassware, chemical containers, and small equipment. By compacting storage and creating a single movable aisle, these systems maximize capacity and are a versatile choice for research labs, universities, and general hospital supply rooms.
Medical Inventory Mobile Shelves
Hospital pharmacies and central supply departments must organize thousands of small, critical items. Medical inventory mobile shelves are designed for this purpose. They feature configurable bins, dividers, and sloped shelving to create a highly organized, dense storage system for vials, medications, and small components. This specialized design improves picking accuracy and supports first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory management.
Climate Controlled Mobile Shelving
Biological samples, reagents, and archival records require stable environmental conditions. For these sensitive materials, climate controlled mobile shelving is essential. These units enclose a high density mobile system within a sealed, insulated structure. Integrated temperature and humidity controls create a protected microenvironment, ensuring the long-term integrity of your most valuable assets.
Comparing Mobile and Fixed Lab Shelving Options
This table compares different shelving approaches to help you decide on the best mix for your facility.
| Shelving Type | Best Use Cases | Space Savings Potential | Typical Load Capacity | Environmental Control | Flexibility and Reconfiguration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Shelving | Bulk supplies, archives, general lab storage | High | High (750-1,000 lbs per section) | None | Moderate (shelf heights are adjustable) |
| Fixed Lab Shelving | Frequently used items, point-of-use storage | Low | Varies by type | None | High (easily moved or adjusted) |
| Medical Inventory Mobile Shelves | Small parts, medications, clinical supplies | Very High | Moderate | None | Very High (bins, dividers, angled shelves) |
| Climate Controlled Shelving | Samples, reagents, archival records | High | High | Yes (temp and humidity) | Low (enclosure is fixed) |
Decision Scenarios for Mobile Shelving Implementation
Understanding how mobile shelving solves real-world problems can help you visualize a solution for your own facility. Below are common scenarios where specific types of mobile storage systems provide targeted benefits.
Scenario 1: Converting a Crowded Lab Storage Room
A research lab’s main storage room is overflowing with supplies on static shelves. Aisles are narrow, making it hard to find items and creating safety hazards. The goal is to increase capacity without expanding the room. The solution is to replace the fixed shelving with a standard high density mobile shelving system. This immediately doubles storage capacity, creates clear, safe aisles, and improves organization.
Scenario 2: Organizing a Central Supply Pharmacy
A hospital pharmacy struggles with inaccurate inventory counts and slow retrieval of medications. Small vials and packages are stored in disorganized bins on fixed shelves, leading to picking errors. The best approach is to install medical inventory mobile shelves. The system’s adjustable bins and dividers provide a dedicated location for every item. This improves accuracy, speeds up fulfillment, and supports proper stock rotation.
Scenario 3: Protecting Sensitive Biological Samples
A biotech firm needs to archive thousands of valuable biological samples that require consistent, cold temperatures. Their current solution uses multiple energy-intensive freezers that take up significant floor space. A climate controlled mobile shelving unit is the ideal solution. It consolidates all samples into a single, compact, and energy-efficient system. This protects the samples while freeing up valuable lab space for research activities.
Scenario 4: Designing a New Laboratory Build
When designing a new lab from scratch, you have the opportunity to create a fully integrated storage plan. A hybrid approach is often most effective. Use laboratory shelving systems for different needs. Install a high density mobile system in a central storeroom for bulk supplies and archives. Use fixed bench and wall shelving at workstations for daily-use items. This combination ensures every material has a logical home, optimizing the entire lab workflow.
Integrating Mobile Shelving with Lab Operations
A well-designed mobile storage system should enhance your daily operations, not complicate them. Proper integration connects your storage solution to key lab functions like inventory management, security, and staff workflows.
Inventory Management and Stock Rotation
Mobile shelving brings order to your inventory. With a designated place for every item, tasks like cycle counting become faster and more accurate. This reduces the risk of stockouts that can delay critical research. The organized layout also simplifies stock rotation protocols like FIFO, which helps minimize waste from expired materials.
Access Control and Security
Securing valuable or controlled substances is a priority in many labs. Mobile shelving systems can be equipped with aisle locks that secure an entire range of shelves with a single key or electronic keypad. This feature provides an effective way to control access to sensitive reagents, patient records, or high-value equipment.
Infection Prevention and Cleanability
Mobile shelving is designed for clean environments. Surfaces are typically made from non-porous materials like powder-coated steel that are easy to clean and disinfect. The ability to open aisles fully provides complete access for cleaning floors and system components, supporting your facility’s infection control protocols.
Maintenance and Accessibility
Proper maintenance ensures your mobile shelving system operates safely and reliably for years. A regular inspection and cleaning schedule protects your investment and your team. Additionally, modern systems are designed with accessibility and usability in mind.
Recommended Cleaning and Inspection
Regularly inspect and clean the floor rails to remove any debris that could obstruct carriage movement. Wipe down carriage surfaces and shelving according to your lab’s cleaning protocols. Periodically check that safety features, such as aisle locks and brakes, are functioning correctly. Always refer to your facility’s EHS guidelines for specific cleaning and disinfection procedures.
Accessibility and Usability Considerations
Mobile shelving systems are designed to be user-friendly. Manual-assist systems use geared handles that require minimal force to move heavy loads. Shelf heights can be adjusted to accommodate users of different heights, ensuring items are within a comfortable reach range. When planning your layout, ensure you leave adequate turning clearance for carts and wheelchairs to comply with accessibility standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space can mobile shelving save compared to fixed shelving?
A high density mobile shelving system can increase your storage capacity by 50 to 100 percent compared to traditional fixed shelving. By eliminating multiple static aisles, you can either double your storage in the same area or reduce your storage footprint by half.
What is the typical weight capacity of mobile shelving?
Load capacity varies by system design, but a standard mobile shelving carriage can typically support thousands of pounds. Individual shelf sections are often rated to hold between 750 and 1,000 pounds, making them suitable for storing heavy lab equipment and bulk supplies.
When should I use climate controlled mobile shelving?
Climate controlled systems are necessary for any materials that are sensitive to changes in temperature or humidity. This includes biological samples, certain reagents, pharmaceuticals, and archival documents. If material integrity depends on a stable environment, a climate controlled unit is required.
What are the floor requirements for a high density mobile system?
Because mobile shelving concentrates a significant amount of weight, the floor must be able to support the load. A structural engineer must evaluate and approve your floor’s load-bearing capacity before installation. This is a critical safety requirement.
What safety features are included?
Standard safety features include aisle locks to prevent aisles from closing accidentally, anti-tip mechanisms for stability, and ergonomic handles. Powered systems often include additional features like infrared sensors or pressure-sensitive safety floors that automatically stop movement if an obstruction is detected.
What is the typical lead time and installation timeline?
Lead times can vary depending on system configuration and customization. Standard systems may be available with quick ship options. Installation typically takes from a few days to a week, depending on the size of the system and the site conditions.
Conclusion: A Smarter Storage Solution for Modern Labs
Mobile laboratory shelving systems offer a powerful solution to the common challenges of limited space and disorganized inventory. By maximizing your storage capacity, improving organization, and enhancing safety, these systems provide a flexible foundation to support your lab’s growth and changing needs.
Labs USA can help you plan the perfect storage layout. We provide system selection assistance, configuration drawings, and quick quotes to get your project started. With our current inventory and quick ship options, we can help you upgrade your facility efficiently.
Ready to reclaim your space? Compare your options and see how high density mobile shelving systems can transform your lab. Request a quote today to start planning your new storage solution.
Contact Labs USA
If you are ready to upgrade your laboratory or healthcare facility with a mobile shelving system, our team is here to help. We assist with space planning, product selection, and project management to ensure you get the right storage solution for your needs.
To discuss your project with one of our experts, please visit the Labs USA contact page or call us to request a quote.