Laboratory Cup Sink

What is the Laboratory Cup Sink?

A laboratory cup sink is a small round or oval basin, about 150–250 mm in diameter, installed on a fume hood worktop or bench. It drains small volumes of rinse water at the workstation without moving to a full sink.

Overview

Cup sinks are molded from polypropylene, epoxy resin or stainless steel, with a diameter of 150–250 mm and depth of 100–150 mm, often fitted into a fume hood worktop. The outlet is 40 mm with a removable strainer and connects to DN40 waste through a PP trap. The cup has a low-profile rim so it does not obstruct the work surface. Supply is usually a small gooseneck or goose-neck tap, sometimes a tap integrated into the hood. The basin handles small volumes, such as rinsing tubes or spills, and is not intended for washing large glassware. Cup sinks reduce trips to main sinks and keep chemicals inside the hood, but waste should still be managed to regulatory limits.

How does it work?

A laboratory sink unit combines a basin, a worktop or drain board, taps, a waste outlet with trap, and often a cabinet beneath. Basins are molded polypropylene, cast epoxy resin or fabricated stainless steel, with depths of 200–350 mm and capacities of 15–40 litres. Taps include gooseneck mixers, swan-neck or pillar types, with optional pure-water, foot-operated or elbow-operated controls. The waste outlet drains through a chemical-resistant trap, typically polypropylene, sized DN40–DN50, with a removable strainer. Units are designed with slopes toward the outlet and a drip groove, and some include neutralization boxes for acid waste or a pegboard for drying glassware. Water supply and waste connections must respect backflow prevention and local plumbing codes.

What are the key features?

• 150–250 mm diameter cup, 100–150 mm deep
• Polypropylene, epoxy or stainless steel options
• 40 mm outlet with removable strainer
• Low-profile rim keeps work surface clear
• Fits fume hood and bench cutouts
• Connects to DN40 PP trap and waste

What are the technical specifications?

A typical laboratory cup sink configuration offers cup diameter of 150–250 mm, cup depth of 100–150 mm, material of PP / epoxy / stainless 304, outlet size of 40 mm, waste pipe of PP DN40 and tap type of Small gooseneck or hood tap. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Laboratory Cup Sink is used in fume hood worktops, synthesis laboratories, small benches and teaching laboratories. Across the wider Sink Units class, laboratories also deploy it for glassware washing, hand washing stations and sample preparation.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include SEFA 8 (laboratory grade casework), EN 14056 (laboratory furniture design and installation), EN 13150 (laboratory workbenches, finish tests), GB 24820 (laboratory furniture) and EN 274 (waste fittings for sanitary appliances, reference). Certification candidates for this model are ISO 9001 manufacturing, SEFA 8 test report and WRAS-type water fitting approval for taps; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Plan water supply, waste and isolation valves early, and give sink units access panels for trap cleaning. Install backflow prevention on the water supply, and route waste to a chemical-resistant drain system or neutralization tank where acids or solvents are present. Seal the sink rim to the worktop with silicone to prevent leaks. Do not pour hazardous solvents or heavy metals down the drain, and follow local wastewater regulations. Flush traps daily, clean strainers weekly, and inspect seals and taps every six months. Provide eyewash stations within easy reach of sinks used for chemical work.

How do I select the right Laboratory Cup Sink?

Choose cup sinks for small rinse volumes at a workstation or inside a fume hood, where a full sink would be remote. They are not substitutes for washing sinks. Specify diameter, material, cutout size, tap, waste size and compatibility with hood worktop material.

How does it compare with other Sink Units variants?

Select the basin material first. Polypropylene suits general chemistry, acids, alkalis and solvents at moderate temperature; epoxy resin suits heavier use and hot liquids; stainless steel suits biology, pharmaceutical and food labs that need frequent disinfection. Then choose size: single-bowl units save space, double-bowl units separate rinsing and soaking, and cup sinks fit fume hoods and small benches. Consider tap type (hands-free for microbiology), pure-water supply, drain board and pegboard requirements, and neutralization of acid waste. Check plumbing connections, hot-water supply and accessibility height. Confirm the unit is compatible with local wastewater discharge rules and the chemicals in use.