Planning a MIL’S LABOVAC enquiry for a shared laboratory

2 August 2026 · Technical review: 11 October 2026

A shared laboratory vacuum system begins with a list of users, not just a pump size. One room may need occasional suction while another expects a steady supply throughout the day. Before requesting a MIL’S LABOVAC quotation, establish what will be connected and which demands can occur together.

List the outlets and their jobs

Record the equipment or task served by each outlet, the required pressure and expected flow. Note whether demand is continuous, intermittent or tied to a batch. Include planned additions where they are known, while separating confirmed demand from possible future expansion.

Do not assume every laboratory instrument belongs on the shared line. Equipment requiring a lower pressure, a dedicated exhaust arrangement or separation from other processes may need its own pump. Our laboratory vacuum guide explains this distinction.

Describe the water services

The LABOVAC liquid-ring arrangement brings water supply and handling into the specification. Give the available water temperature and quality, proposed fresh-water or recirculation arrangement, and drainage provisions. These details influence both performance and running costs.

A quotation comparison should therefore cover more than electrical power. Ask what water services, separation equipment and associated installation work are included. Where the building services have limits, state them at enquiry stage.

Agree how demand will be managed

Specify the required pressure range at the outlets, operating hours and control expectations. Discuss how the system should respond to changing demand and what level of interruption the laboratory can accept. If standby capacity or an alarm is needed, make it an explicit part of the brief.

The receiver and controls form part of the system configuration. They should be selected with the pump and distribution pipework rather than treated as a standard package that suits every building.

Identify older equipment carefully

Our existing LABOVAC S26/1 listing supports enquiries for that historical equipment reference. The available range literature identifies LABOVAC 1 S27; its figures should not simply be assigned to an S26/1 installation.

For a replacement, send photographs of both the system and pump nameplates, plus the receiver and controls. Mention any additions to the laboratory since the system was installed. A familiar name on the casing is useful evidence, but the replacement scope still needs to be confirmed.

Prepare a brief the supplier can work with

Bring together the outlet schedule, simultaneous demand, working pressure, gases or vapours, water information and proposed location. Add a simple pipework sketch and any building-service constraints. This helps distinguish a pump replacement from a wider system change and gives the quotation a clear basis.

Discuss your equipment requirement

Browse MIL’S vacuum equipment and use our complete installation guide to define the equipment and services to be quoted. For a quotation, send your requirements to Girovac or call 01692 660 117.