Archive for June, 2010

Westwood Regional Jr./Sr. High School Science Lab Designs…A Look Back

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Project:  Science Lab Renovations

Architect/Design Firm:  FKA Architects (www.fkarch.com)

Project Overview: http://www.fkarch.com/Site/Westwood_Jr._Sr._Regional_High_School/Westwood_Jr._Sr._Regional_High_School.html

Contractor:  Jeral Construction

Bill Butler of Longo assisted FKA’s design team with the school science lab design of this project – the firm utilized two different layouts based on the square foot area available for construction space.  One layout was based on a pier table design concept to have separate lab experiment and student instruction spaces. The other design concept utilized Sheldon’s Axis lab tables was able to combine the laboratory/lecture area in one space…

Architects, interior designers, and school officials looking for assistance designing their laboratory spaces, and then purchasing the  lab furniture specified for their projects should email (info@longoinc.com) for a free consultation.  

Please direct all inquiries with regards to laboratory planning, furniture and construction projects to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).

Longo offers laboratory planning, budget and full turnkey services to industrial/commercial clients and private schools in New Jersey (Bergen-Passaic-Essex-Hudson-Morris Counties), New York (Westchester-Rockland-Dutchess-Putnam-Orange Counties) and Connecticut (Fairfield County). Please contact us for your laboratory design and furniture requirements (info@longoinc.com).

Related Links & Downloads

Sheldon Axis Table Brochure: http://www.longolabs.com/sheldon-difference/ws/2001/

Sheldon Axis Table Link: http://www.longolabs.com/sheldon-difference/ws/2001/

Sheldon Pier Tables Link: http://www.longolabs.com/sheldon-difference/ws/2007/

From Sheldon Laboratory Systems An Article On School Lab Planning…

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Science Lab Planning Guide By Sheldon’s Eddie Adkins

Eddie’s article here is a great find for those educational institutions actively considering laboratory construction projects, or those that have unexpectedly had one thrust upon them…The hard truth is that science lab planning expertise should be sought out by school officials.  Building a science lab is not like a general classroom.  There is a level of coordination and planning required that far exceeds any other “classroom” in a typical K-12 private school building.  Plumbing…Mechanical…Electrical…all of these trades come into play in your lab classroom.  And all must flow together correctly in order to create a safe and educationally sound learning space!

Laboratory construction should not  be viewed as just another classroom – the cost and safety factors dictate a greater attention to detail than a novice can imagine. I would be highly suspicious of a dimissive attitude by an architect I was contracting with for design services, or the general contractor I was soliciting for construction services…

Architects, interior designers, and school officials looking for assistance designing their laboratory spaces, and then purchasing the  lab furniture specified for their projects should email (info@longoinc.com) for a free consultation.  

Please direct all inquiries with regards to laboratory planning, furniture and construction projects to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).

Longo offers laboratory planning, budget and full turnkey services to industrial/commercial clients and private schools in New Jersey (Bergen-Passaic-Essex-Hudson-Morris Counties), New York (Westchester-Rockland-Dutchess-Putnam-Orange Counties) and Connecticut (Fairfield County). Please contact us for your laboratory design and furniture requirements (info@longoinc.com).

Sheldon’s Trifacial Service Island – The Answer For Earth & Life Sciences Laboratory Planning

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

76230 TRIFACIAL SERVICE CENTER From Sheldon Laboratory Systems

Three (3) sides 34″ x three (3) sides 20″ O.D.,; 55-1/2″  at widest dimension of triangular configuration.  Center height changeable from 32-1/2″, 34-1/2″, 36-1/2″ or 38″; top consists of center tub basin, service turrets and student work area with integral raised edge around perimeter; support structure, countertop and sink is glass fiber reinforced polyester; pedestal is formed steel with interior reinforcements for securing to floor.

Sink & tub basin has three (3) sides 19-1/2″ x three (3) sides 15-1/4″ x 7-1/2″ deep with all corners coved and bottom sloped to center drain outlet; sink volume is 34 gallons and provides large sunken area for student project; three (3) integral service turrets each 12″ x 6-3/16″ x 2-5/8″ bored to accept deck mounted cold water fitting and duplex electrical receptacle mounted in face; service turrets designed to raise electrical outlets above adjoining wing tables and to position outlet of water fixture 19″ above sink bottom to accommodate large containers and other large objects within sink. 

Pedestal base is 10 gauge formed steel, 14-3/4″ x 14-3/4″ x 24-3/4″ with 3/4″ radius on edges.  Bolt holes at intervals shall accent fasteners for support structure adjustment at heights of either 32-1/2″, 34-1/2″ or 38″ at time of installation.

Services include three (3) solid cast combination cold water and gas fixtures and three (3) G.F.I. electrical outlets.

Architects, interior designers, and school officials looking for assistance designing their laboratory spaces, and then purchasing the  lab furniture specified for their projects should email (info@longoinc.com) for a free consultation.  

Please direct all inquiries with regards to laboratory planning, furniture and construction projects to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).

Longo offers laboratory planning, budget and full turnkey services to industrial/commercial clients and private schools in New Jersey (Bergen-Passaic-Essex-Hudson-Morris Counties), New York (Westchester-Rockland-Dutchess-Putnam-Orange Counties) and Connecticut (Fairfield County). Please contact us for your laboratory design and furniture requirements (info@longoinc.com).

Related Links & Downloads:

If Your Architect Specified The Sheldon Axis Infinity Table…Then Your Science Lab Table Should Look Like Below!

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

26000 SHELDON AXIS Infinity TABLE with Motorized Height Adjustment  

 GENERAL: 

Student laboratory table shall be multi-purpose and must accommodate computer technology, ADA accessibility and combination lab/lecture functions.  In order to provide these functions, the work surface is adjustable from 30″ to 36″ quickly converting from lecture height to lab height.  This must be accomplished without altering sink height or mechanical/electrical connections.

Epoxy resin work surface is curvilinear shaped and measures 96” x 50”. The unique shape of the counter top is provided to eliminate corners from projecting into the aisles.  The sink section  is cantilevered from main steel understructure and supported by heavy-duty steel assembly.  The sink top is used for mounting the sink, water, gas, air or vacuum fixtures.  Sink is permanently mounted at 34″ height to comply with ADA Guidelines for Wheelchair Accessibility.  All piping is enclosed with contoured metal or wood panels. Counter top to be 1” molded epoxy resin with integral raised marine edge.

Supporting structure is constructed of heavy gauge steel and must provide support to prevent counter top from deflecting.  A welded tubular steel U shaped frame attached to the top to provide uniform support of the top surface.  Three mechanical lifting legs are attached to a welded steel frame leg structure to provide rigid stability for the legs lifting the top surface.

Under the top surface is mounted a convenient lockable rod storage compartment. All metal parts are finished with powder coat epoxy for maximum chemical resistance.

Incorporated into the steel supporting understructure is a 110 VAC computer controlled synchronized power assist mechanism, which lifts the student work surface quietly and quickly.  The student work surface is infinitely adjustable between 30” and 36” by remote control. 

The sink support and shroud are also steel construction and powder coated in one of 6 contemporary colors. The sink support provides housing for all the mechanical rough in connections and contains a removable front panel to provide access.  The molded epoxy resin sink incorporates a two tiered design to allow ADA accessibility and a deep section to allow for larger lab items access and cleaning. The sink is a two tiered trapezoidal shape where the base of the trapezoid is curved to match the curve of the counter top.  The width of the rear is 22.5” wide and the width of the front is 28 .375”.  The ADA section of the sink is 4.75” deep and has integrated drain grooves.  The rear section is 11.5” deep and the overall length front to back dimension is 22”.

Rear metal panels are included with this unit and enclose the rear leg supports.  These panels can also be powder coated to coordinate with the sink and sink shroud.

Standard services and accessories to be included for each table:

(A)           #80020 Unicast cold water/gas vandal resistant fixtures.

(B)           #80020WBBV Unicast cold water/gas vandal resistant fixture with wrist blade handle & ball valve. (one table only)      

(C)           #85101 GFI duplex electrical fixtures (one mounted on each side of sink).

(D)           Clamp on upright rods, (2) cross arms and (4) connectors

Please direct all inquiries with regards to laboratory planning, furniture and construction projects to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).

Longo offers laboratory planning, budget and full turnkey services to industrial/commercial clients and private schools in New Jersey (Bergen-Passaic-Essex-Hudson-Morris Counties), New York (Westchester-Rockland-Dutchess-Putnam-Orange Counties) and Connecticut (Fairfield County). Please contact us for your laboratory design and furniture requirements (info@longoinc.com).

This Is Not A Sheldon Axis Laboratory Table!

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Purchasing decisions left up to general contractors do not benefit the architects that design the lab spaces…the school officials who are expecting their lab spaces to look a particular way…Look, really look at the pictures above.  This is what one general contractor submitted as an equal on a high school laboratory designed by an architect with Longo’s assistance.  It was specified with Sheldon Axis Lab Station and Focal Point Teacher’s Demonstration Desk in mind. 

(Here is the web location if you want to see what a real Sheldon Axis Table should look like:  Sheldon Axis Table Information Link: http://www.longolabs.com/sheldon-difference/ws/2001/)

You may be asking how is that possible?  This table has no business to be compared (not to mention submitted in lieu of) to a Sheldon Axis Table. Why you may ask – well, let’s take a look at some  features these tables do not include that Sheldon does on their student lab tables:

  • No epoxy resin sink at lab station
  • No “Unicast” combination water/gas fixture
  • No “marine” or raised edge on the counter top to contain chemical spills
  • No height-adjustable laboratory counter top
  • No metal base structure for stability
  • No electrical support for computers
  • No data support for computers

There are more technical differences.  My point is that these tables do not measure up against Sheldon’s Axis Table.

Architects, interior designers, and school officials looking for assistance designing their laboratory spaces, and then purchasing the  lab furniture specified for their projects should email (info@longoinc.com) for a free consultation.  

Please direct all inquiries with regards to laboratory planning, furniture and construction projects to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).

Longo offers laboratory planning, budget and full turnkey services to industrial/commercial clients and private schools in New Jersey (Bergen-Passaic-Essex-Hudson-Morris Counties), New York (Westchester-Rockland-Dutchess-Putnam-Orange Counties) and Connecticut (Fairfield County). Please contact us for your laboratory design and furniture requirements (info@longoinc.com).

Longo & Sheldon Science Laboratory Furniture on Pennsylvania State Contract

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Laboratory Furniture Contract: 4400001840
Term: 12/1/2009 – 11/30/2010

Manufacturer: Sheldon Laboratory Systems

Products:  Wood Laboratory Casework, Fume Hoods, TE II Lab Centers, Axis Infinity ® Student Lab Stations, Trifacial Service Islands

Since 1898, design and quality have made Sheldon Laboratory Systems the first name in educational casework and now available on Pennsylvania State Contract.  School districts planning science lab construction projects can now purchase the very best furniture in the business direct from the distributor. Direct purchase eliminates the possibility of inferior and/or unapproved product subsitution.  Secondly, direct from the distributor guarantees the school district & the taxpayers get the science lab furniture they want without having to pay the additional mark-up placed upon the furniture by a general contractor.   

Longo has been designing & building science labs for over 40 years – whether you require a new school laboratory or the renovation of an existing facility, Longo can take you from initial planning to construction and equipment installation!

Please call Longo’s marketing department at (800) 635-6646 or email info@longoinc.com for more information. If sizes & quantities are provided, we can typically turn around a quote in 24-48 hours.

For more info, please click on the links below the subject line:

Sheldon Wood Laboratory Casework: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/products/wood_casework.html

Sheldon Axis Student Lab Tables: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/axis.asp

Sheldon Fume Hoods: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/fume_hoods.asp

Sheldon Focal Point Demo Desk: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/demo_units.asp

Sheldon Teacher’s Desk: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/demo_units.asp

Sheldon TEII Lab Stations: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/teii.asp

Sheldon Trifacial Lab Service Island: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/trifacial_service_island.asp

Sheldon Lab Pier Tables: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/pier_tables.asp

Sheldon Unicast & Unimix Service Fixtures:  http://www.sheldonlabs.com/fixtures.asp

Sheldon Laboratory Safety Shower: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/safety.asp

Sheldon Lab Sinks: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/sinks.asp

Iona Prep Selects Longo For Laboratory Construction Project

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Location:  New Rochelle, NY (Westchester County)

Scope:  Full Turnkey Construction Service – Physics Room Renovation & Create New Physics Laboratory Space

Products Specified & Delivered:  Sheldon Wood Laboratory Casework, Fume Hoods, Axis 3 Physics Tables, Epoxy Resin Tops

Iona Prep selected Longo because of our committment to delivering a high quality laboratory environment on-time and within budget.  Longo had previously completed the biology & chemistry labs at the school in 2007.

To learn more about the programs offered at Iona Preparatory School, please visit http://www.ionaprep.org/

Please direct all inquiries with regards to the Iona Prep School construction project to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com). Longo offers full turnkey services to all private schools in the Westchester-Rockland-Dutchess-Putnam-Orange area, along with Fairfield County in Connecticut.

Lab Planning for the High School Environment

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Topic:  Science laboratory design options

Longo’s laboratory consultants have been frequently asked to deal with space constraints, ADA accessibility questions and lab classroom flexibility.  We have found a NSTA inspired product that has exceeded expectations of both end users and designers – The Axis Infinity Table by Sheldon Laboratory Systems. 

Below you will finds to additional laboratory designs utilized by Longo (and other lab planners, architects, etc.):

A.  Typical Chemistry Lab Utilizing: TEII Lab Centers http://www.sheldonlabs.com/img/typical_lab_te_ll_tables.jpg 

B.  Typical Biology Lab Utilizing Trifacial Island: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/img/typical_lab_trifacial.jpg

C.  Typical Science Lab Utilizing Pier Tables: http://www.sheldonlabs.com/img/typical_lab_piertables.jpg - please notice that this science room layout does present concerns for parents & educators (school officials looking to avoid lawsuites, negative publicity) because the students, the the critical time of performing experiments, may have their back towards the instructor.

Longo’s design services are made available to both end users (private school officials, science department chairs, school business managers, principals, etc.) and architect firms.  We look forward to speaking to you about your current labs and how they might be improved upon by layout options, products available, renovation ideas and  new construction.

Want to learn more about sciencs labs and the options available?  Please direct all inquiries regarding laboratory planning and construction projects to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).

Longo Laboratory Consultants: We Promote & Support U.S. Lab Furniture Manufacturing

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Longo has been a Sheldon Labs distributor for over 50 years. Since 1898, Sheldon has designed and built laboratory furniture products here in the U.S. (first in Michigan, now in Mississippi). We value our long term relationship with an American manufacturer known for their consistent, high quality lab products and their ability to deliver on-time and within budget!

Sheldon is the first name in educational science lab furniture.  Sheldon products have been designed to be an active part of the teaching and learning process. Sheldon equipment is manufactured to the highest standards in the industry to assure long life and full value to the educational system, extending from the elementary grade levels through the middle school, high school, 2-year and 4-year college levels.

To learn more about Sheldon and their laboratory product offerings, please visit them at http://www.sheldonlabs.com.

Please direct all inquiries with regards to laboratory planning, furniture and construction projects to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).

Longo offers laboratory planning, budget and full turnkey services to industrial/commercial clients and private schools in New Jersey (Bergen-Passaic-Essex-Hudson-Morris Counties), New York (Westchester-Rockland-Dutchess-Putnam-Orange Counties) and Connecticut (Fairfield County). Please contact us for your laboratory design and furniture requirements (info@longoinc.com).

Longo Awarded Stamford’s 9th Grade Center Science Lab Furniture

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Project:  Stamford High School: 9th Grade Center (Stamford, CT)  

Architect Firm:  Perkins Eastman (www.peapc.com), http://www.peapc.com/projectDetails.aspx?p=2400136&c=2400017

Products Specified & Delivered:  Sheldon TEII Lab Centers, Metal Laboratory Casework, Sheldon Air Foil Fume Hood

Purchasing By General Contractor – public/competitively bid project.

The significance of the project does not revolve around the design & specification of a superior laboratory product, but in the architect’s recognition of Sheldon’s superior construction & material usage.  When the general contractor attempted to substitute an inferior product made of wood and in lieu of the specified metal base and resin top – the architect REJECTED the submittal. 

Longo’s laboratory design team works with school district officials, architects and construction managers to professionally design lab space for optimum safety and functionality.  Please direct all inquiries regarding laboratory planning, science furniture, and turnkey construction services to the marketing department, 800-635-6646 (info@longoinc.com).

Do The Fume Hoods In Your School/University Laboratory Contains Asbestos?

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

If your lab space was constructed during the 1930s to 1970s, your laboratories’ fume hoods may contain asbestos materials. For the past 20 years, there has been steady progress made with respect to asbestos removal but fume hoods are often forgotten in this diligent effort. 

Fume hoods were lined with asbestos-containing materials up until the 1970s because of heat/fire resistant qualities. Now, most fume hoods are manufactured with a polyresin or a phenolic resin interior liner. In some cases, hoods are constructed out of stainless steel (radio isotope, perchloric), but the cost usually won’t justify the material’s usage in middle & high school science labs.

Longo can help!  To contact a fume hood specialist, please contact the Marketing Department at 800-635-6646, info@longoinc.com.

Hospital-Medical Cabinetry Solution – Stainless Steel Laboratory Casework & Counter Tops

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Longo’s laboratory casework division has been supplying the medical facilities in the Tri-State area (NY, NJ, CT) with high quality stainless steel cabinetry and counter tops for over 25 years. 

Stainless Steel Cabinet & Top Details:  Stainless Steel Type #304

  • Work Tops: 16 Gauge
  • Body and Shelves: 18 Gauge
  • Door Panels: 18 Gauge
  • Drawer Body: 18 Gauge

Stainless steel cabinet bodies: flush seamless welded front. All bends channel formed for rugged use.

  • All stainless steel base cabinets are 22″ deep. Heights available are 29 1/4″ and 35 ¼”.
  • All stainless steel wall cabinets are 13″ deep. Heights available are 30″, 36″ and 48″.
  • All stainless tall cabinets are 84″ tall. Depths available are 18″ and 23″.

Steel drawers: one piece body with double wall flush mounted insulated front, operating on stainless steel channel slides with nylon ball bearings.

Doors: Flush mounted double walled/sound deadened and mounted on stainless steel hinges mortised into door body. Glass doors of 1/4″ safety glass panels removable for replacement. Sliding doors are on overhead roller bearings.

Shelves: Channel edges on all sides. Adjustable on 1/2″ centers.

Work Tops: Die formed channel edges with steel channel under bracing/full sound deadened.

For more information on Longo’s hospital/medical lab planning services, stainless steel cabinets & counter tops offering, please call (800) 635-6646 or email info@longoinc.com.

Stainless steel cabinets and counter tops require a lead time of 6-8 weeks after Longo has received approved shop drawings, purchase order and deposit.

Stainless Steel Products: Base/wall/tall, cabinets, fume hoods, operating room cabinets, work tops, sinks, tables, and carts.