Abstract

The principles which should govern the planning of benching and services for new laboratories are enumerated. These include the necessity for long-term planning, flexibility, and economy.

The `Cardiff benching system' where the benches are composed of units that consist of an independent movable table base, a removable bench top, a 6 in. insertion, which enables the bench height to be changed from 30 in. to 36 in., and a variety of movable underbench cupboards, and where all services are carried on service spines, is described. The extreme flexibility of this type of benching and servicing is illustrated.