Client Background

Essex Police, the UK’s largest non- metropolitan police force, approached Monmouth Scientific as work began on a modern laboratory for their Forensic Examination Department. The key objective was to work with the principle contractor to design, supply and install a complete, bespoke laboratory solution, integrating state-of-the-art clean air technologies.

Key Objectives

The project brief included ducted and fume containment solutions, high specification equipment and quality laboratory furniture throughout the facility’s Examination Suites, Stain Rooms, Chemical Mixing Areas and Dark Rooms. The facility would serve not only Essex Police, but also neighbouring constabularies.

Our Solution

Monmouth Scientific | ATEX Fume Cupboard | Essex PoliceEthanol Stain Cabinet

The project enabled us to fully integrated a highly bespoke Ethanol Stain Cabinet, providing new functionality to the testing capabilities available to the client, allowing them to extract the lightest of fingerprints from crime scene evidence.

This unique solution is based on the knowledge and technology we gained while developing our Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX) Cabinet, the only fully certified ATEX Filtration Fume Cabinet available on the market.

Designed to provide the operator with the highest level of protection, the solution is integrated with a Dräger Monitoring System. The system warns the operator if ethanol fumes reach potentially unsafe and hazardous levels and adjusts the extraction fan’s velocity dependant on the concentrated level of ethanol within the cabinet’s working atmosphere.

Fume Extraction System

Elsewhere in the facility our range of Ducted Fume Hoods are ideal for laboratory applications, offering the operator complete control over the working atmosphere.

Our team of Project Engineers at Monmouth HQ designed an extraction system which integrated three Ducted Fume Cabinets, two Nin Oven Fume Hoods and one Walk-In Ductaire Fume Module, allowing all to run simultaneously from one single extraction unit.

The Walk-In Ductaire Fume Module, a special requirement for Essex Police, was designed to size and built onsite within a purpose built alcove.

Bespoke Darkroom Equipment

The lab included multiple Dark Rooms which required all the room’s equipment to be entirely black in colour.

Custom-made Black Trespa TopLabPlus was used for the room’s workspaces and bespoke black Mobile Filtration Modules were commissioned specifically for Essex Police.

The module combines our latest containment technology with an easy to manoeuvre fume extraction arm. With a radius of two meters and a rotation of close to 360o, the module offers an almost infinite range of extraction locations to suit the client’s unique applications.

Laboratory Equipment & Furniture

Alongside the installation of a Circulaire Filtration Fume Cupboard, we also supplied two Fire-Proof Storage Cabinets, an Emergency Shower, a bespoke Glass Drying Rack and a laboratory grade Dishwasher and Fridge.

Custom made benches and workstations, manufactured to measure from the highest quality, chemically resistant

Trespa TopLabPlus panels, were fitted with bespoke stainless steel sinks and taps to complete the project and provide Essex Police with an ultra-modern laboratory in which to carry out highly sensitive and complex forensic operations.