Laboratory Handwheel Colour Coding: Introducing DIN-EN 13792

Laboratory taps, laboratory water taps, laboratory gas taps……they all have handwheels and for the keen eyed amongst us those handwheels have coloured indices on them.

…..but what do they mean?

Dead simply they tell the laboratory tap user what service is being offered. This could range from anything from hot and cold potable water to the more funky special waters (Demineralised, deionised) and various gas services found in the laboratory; gases such as Argon, Helium, Nitrogen etc which is what would you expect in laboratory fume cupboards and reagent shelving.

The colouring is governed by the DIN EN 13792 which covers laboratory taps, this standard is a worldwide initiative so whether you’re in Switzerland, Hong Kong or elsewhere it doesn’t matter the service from the laboratory tap will always reference the same service!