Ensuring hygiene in a hospital laboratory

Mari Suonto

Challenge

Surfaces, sinks and shelving in laboratory fume hoods need to be sufficiently corrosion-resistant to withstand contact with aggressive chemicals and easy-to-clean to meet the hygienic requirements of a hospital environment.

Solution

Outokumpu stainless steel grade Supra delivers high corrosion resistance and a smooth surface finish which can endure the strong chemicals and be easily cleaned and rinsed.

Delivery

Steel grade: Outokumpu Supra 316L/4404

When the pathology department in Lapland’s central hospital went under renovation, it was clear that the decades-old laboratory fume hoods needed to be replaced, too.

To fit the strict hygienic requirements of a hospital environment, the material used in the hoods needed to have sufficient corrosion resistance against aggressive chemicals. It also required an easy-to-clean surface. Outokumpu’s stainless steel grade Supra 316L/4404 meets these requirements well.

 

Strong grade, smooth finish

Fume hoods are essential equipment for research done in the pathology department. These ventilated cupboards protect the doctors and medical laboratory technicians from hazardous fumes and vapors as they study tissue samples in the laboratory. As samples are often handled or preserved with potentially harmful liquids, and the surfaces are cleaned with corrosive disinfectants to ensure hygiene, surface materials in the fume hoods need to be highly corrosion resistant as well as easy to clean.

To meet these needs, the manufacturer of the hoods, Is-Vet, chose Outokumpu’s Supra 316L/4404 as the material for the surfaces, sinks and shelves. The grade’s special alloying ensures improved corrosion resistance against acids and disinfectants, and its smooth surface finish allows for easy cleaning and rinsing. It is also readily available in thin gauges needed for this type of stainless solution.

 

A customized design

The hospital staff participated in the design process of the fume hoods from start to finish, producing a highly customized set of equipment. For instance, some of the hoods are double-sided and the ergonomics and placement of different components was designed to be as user-friendly as possible.

Altogether eight new fume hoods were delivered to the laboratory and taken into use in July 2016. The hospital staff has been pleased with the end product and is looking forward to using the upgraded laboratory equipment to serve patients’ needs for decades to come.

Recommended products and insights

Appliances

When it comes to appliances, today’s consumer insists on full functionality wrapped in effortless beauty. Corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, strong and formable: Stainless steel delivers durable, timeless perfection.

Supra

The Supra range contains stainless steel products designed for highly corrosive environments. Outokumpu Supra range stainless steels have a good resistance to uniform corrosion in many organic and inorganic chemicals. The addition of molybdenum enhances the alloy’s corrosion resistance in many acidic environments.

Sustainability

Stainless steel is a superb material for sustainable solutions as it is 100% recyclable, efficient and long-lasting. Our vision is to become the customers’ first choice in sustainable stainless steel.