⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5 | Google reviews for norlab.com.au
The Norlab Metal Cabinets offer the highest level of structural strength and load capacity that your laboratory requires for heavy-duty storage in industrial, pharmaceutical, and high-demand research environments:
• Strength
Our metal cabinets are manufactured from precision-formed stainless steel and galvanised steel, providing exceptional structural strength, impact resistance, and long-term durability in demanding laboratory environments.
• Customisation
Our metal cabinets can be customised in steel grade, configuration, door type, drawer layout, locking mechanism, and finish to match the specific storage requirements and safety standards of your laboratory or industrial facility.
• Compliance
Our metal cabinets meet SEFA 8 M, AS/NZS 2982, and ISO 9001 standards, ensuring every unit delivers the structural integrity, corrosion resistance, and material performance required for professional laboratory environments, including pharmaceutical GMP and government facilities.
Chemical Resistance
Moisture Resistance
Structural Stability
Optimal Space
Label Holder
Long Durability
Norlab metal cabinets are engineered using stainless steel or galvanised steel with precision-formed panels and internal welded reinforcements, producing a cabinet structure capable of withstanding sustained heavy loads, repeated mechanical impact, and daily use in demanding industrial laboratory environments without structural deformation or surface degradation. A controlled powder-coated or stainless steel finish provides resistance to corrosion from chemical splash, cleaning agents, and ambient humidity across the full cabinet body.
Stainless steel drawer runners and soft-close door hinges are designed to provide smooth operation, long-term durability, and reliable performance under continuous use. Every unit is manufactured under strict Australian quality standards and designed to deliver maximum structural reliability for pharmaceutical, government, and industrial laboratory facilities where cabinet performance is subject to regulatory audit and long-term operational scrutiny.
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Reference |
NLDM-1C2PP |
NLDM-2PL |
NLDM-3CLR |
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External Dimensions: |
1000″ x 450″ x 820″ mm |
1000″ x 450″ x 820″ mm |
800″ x 450″ x 820″ mm |
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Maximum Load Capacity |
100 kg |
100 kg |
100 kg |
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Shelves |
3 |
2 |
3 |
• SEFA 8 M
Performance standard developed by the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (SEFA) for metal laboratory casework and cabinetry. Establishes testing and performance requirements for structural integrity, load-bearing capacity, corrosion resistance, finish durability, chemical resistance, impact resistance, and long-term reliability under laboratory operating conditions. Provides evaluation criteria to ensure metal cabinets maintain performance, structural stability, and durability in demanding research, healthcare, pharmaceutical, educational, and industrial laboratory environments where exposure to chemicals, moisture, and intensive daily use is common.
• AS/NZS 2982
Australian and New Zealand standard for the design and construction of laboratory facilities. Establishes requirements and recommendations for laboratory layouts, material selection, furniture integration, safety considerations, durability, workflow efficiency, and operational functionality. Provides guidance for the specification and installation of laboratory casework, storage systems, and specialised furniture, including metal cabinets used in research, healthcare, pharmaceutical, educational, and industrial laboratory environments. Widely referenced throughout Australia and New Zealand to support safe, efficient, and long-lasting laboratory facilities.
• ISO 9001
International quality management standard published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). Establishes requirements for a documented Quality Management System (QMS) focused on consistent manufacturing processes, quality assurance, customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, and product traceability. For metal cabinets, ISO 9001 certification demonstrates that manufacturing operations follow recognised quality management practices designed to ensure consistent product quality, reliable performance, manufacturing precision, and compliance with customer and regulatory requirements across laboratory, healthcare, educational, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
• We installed 60 metal cabinets in our pharmaceutical manufacturing facility more than eight years ago, and they continue to perform exceptionally well. Throughout multiple TGA and FDA audits, the cabinetry has consistently met our operational and compliance expectations, with no observations related to laboratory furniture. The durability, finish quality, and long-term reliability have made them a valuable part of our facility.
• With Norlab’s metal cabinetry, we achieved the level of durability and chemical resistance our laboratory required. Despite constant daily use, routine cleaning, and exposure to demanding operating conditions, the cabinets have maintained their structural integrity and professional appearance. They continue to perform reliably across every workspace and have proven to be an excellent long-term investment.
No, metal cabinets are not rated for chemical or hazardous material storage, even though the material itself is chemically resistant. For proper chemical storage, Norlab offers a full line of safety storage cabinets specifically engineered for that purpose — including flammable storage, acid cabinets, and sample storage units built to meet SEFA 11 and AS 1940 requirements. You can see those options at safety storage cabinets.
It makes a significant difference depending on the environment. galvanised steel is suitable for most dry laboratory applications, providing effective corrosion resistance at a lower cost. Stainless steel is typically specified where cabinets are exposed to corrosive cleaning agents, high-humidity conditions, food science environments, pharmaceutical manufacturing areas, or any application where surfaces may be routinely exposed to moisture.
As a practical rule, if the cleaning protocol involves bleach, strong disinfectants, or acid-based cleaning agents applied directly to cabinet surfaces on a regular basis, stainless steel is generally the preferred option. For general dry storage in research and educational laboratories, galvanised steel is often the most cost-effective solution.
Metal cabinets are among the most commonly specified cabinetry solutions in GMP-regulated pharmaceutical environments. The compliance-relevant characteristics are the non-porous powder-coated finish, which does not harbour contamination under normal operating conditions, and the structural durability that helps maintain alignment, functionality, and reliable door closure over many years of use. One consideration is that any chip or scratch that exposes the underlying steel can create a surface that is more difficult to clean and maintain. Prompt repair of coating damage is therefore not only a maintenance requirement but may also form part of facility quality and compliance procedures.
Minor chips and scratches can generally be repaired using matching touch-up coatings and should be addressed promptly to maintain corrosion protection. Dents in cabinet panels are usually cosmetic and do not normally affect structural performance. Doors and drawer fronts can typically be replaced individually without removing the entire cabinet installation. Where damage is extensive, or corrosion has penetrated beyond the surface finish, replacement of the affected component or cabinet may be the more practical long-term solution.
Metal cabinets carry the highest load ratings in the standard laboratory cabinet range: drawer capacity of 75 kg versus 50 kg for phenolic and 40 kg for wood. That difference matters in specific situations — stacked instrument storage, dense reagent inventories, heavy glassware collections, or any application where drawers will be loaded to near-capacity on a daily basis. Metal cabinets are the right specification when structural load is the primary constraint. When the priority is chemical resistance or performance in moisture-prone environments, the cabinet material selection goes beyond load ratings.
Your laboratory storage solved — chemically resistant, durable, and configured around the way your team works.
Tell us what equipment, and supplies you need to store and we’ll recommend the right cabinet configuration, layout, and storage solution — at no cost, no obligation.
Expert guidance included — free 3D design
Our lab safety specialists review your project personally.
Fully custom — configuration, doors, drawers and shelving
Chemical resistant metal cabinets matched to your workflow.
Australian owned & operated — nationwide delivery
Manufactured and supported from Victoria.
