Technical Advice

Are you planning to purchase some laboratory equipment listed below?

If the answer is yes, then we kindly invite you to contact the technical advisor opf the SV Workshop through the usual ServiceNow form.
This procedure will help standardize equipment pool across the laboratories of the School of Life Sciences. It will also contribute to optimize maintenances, select suppliers with a reliable after-sales service, reducing costs for research laboratories, and favoring more sustainable and environmentally friendly equipment.

Before any purchase

Before acquiring new laboratory equipment, we encourage all units to carefully assess the relevance of the purchase. The technical advisor is available to support this evaluation process, aiming to optimize resources and promote a coordinated, sustainable approach.

The following points are reviewed with you:

  • Is the equipment already available with a core facility
  • Could it be shared with another laboratory?
  • Is there a suitable second-hand alternative?

If the purchase necessity is confirmed

When the acquisition is deemed necessary, the technical advisor will help ensure that optimal installation conditions are met:

  • Check compatibility with your laboratory: available space, electrical or fluidic connections, size, weight, or specific ventilation constraints;

  • Assess potential risks to biological materials: for example, connection to the alarm network for -80°C freezers;

  • Review selection criteria to ensure a long-term investment:
    • Functionality and performance suited to intended use;
    • Supplier reliability (delivery, after-sales support);
    • Lifespan and warranty terms aligned with EPF requirements;
    • Energy consumption (electricity, water, gas);
    • Manufacturing origin of the equipment;
    • Purchase price and total cost of ownership (including consumables, operation, and maintenance).

After the purchase

The technical advisor can also assist with the following steps:

  • Installation under optimal conditions (ergonomics, temperature, ventilation, noise);
  • Testing and validation of proper function;
  • Inventory registration, if applicable;
  • Set-up of a maintenance contract or technical follow-up by the SV Woprkshop;
  • Archiving of technical documentation;
  • Guidance on routine use and maintenance according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Examples of routine maintenance, to be performed by users
  • Centrifuges – twice a year: Cleaning of rotors, applying grease to buckets, cleaning of the chamber, and application of a thin layer of oil.
  • Incubators – twice a year: Cleaning and autostart (recalibration), sterilization, or filter replacement. Use demineralized water only without detergent and 70% ethanol for cleaning. For the humidification tray, use demineralized water (autoclaved if needed); distilled water is not recommended.
  • Biological safety cabinets – once a year: Cleaning of the working surface.
  • Freezers – one to three times per year: Sorting, cleaning, and partial or complete defrosting. A backup freezer can be provided upon request.
  • Water baths – once a month: Replace water and clean tanks.
  • Any device equipped with a dust filter – once a year: Clean the filter (e.g., thermoshaker, PCR machines, centrifuges, etc.).

IMPORTANT: Do not use chlorine-based disinfectants. They are highly corrosive, even on stainless steel.

In case of malfunction or failure

Users can contact the SV Atelier via the ServiceNow form.
In case of emergency, please call: +41 21 693 83 31.

When the equipment reaches the end of its use

If the device is still functional:

  • Offer it on the internal exchange or reuse platform;
  • Alternatively, donate it to the Workshop for repurposing or redistribution.

If the device is no longer functional:

  • Contact the Workshop to assess whether parts can be retrieved;
  • Dispose of it in accordance with the equipment-specific disposal guidelines.

IMPORTANT: Removal from inventory is mandatory for any disposal or equipment leaving EPFL premises.

Standard equipment requiring validation by the technical referent for their acquisition
  • 4°C Refrigerators
  • -20°C and -80°C Freezers
  • Liquid nitrogen tanks
  • Ice machines
  • Incubators and C02 incubators
  • Climatic chambers
  • Ovens
  • Autoclaves
  • Shakers/incubators
  • Washers
  • H2O purifiers
  • Air treatment equipment
  • Biological safety cabinets, laminar flow hoods, gloveboxes
  • Chemical chambers
  • Centrifuges
  • Scales
  • pH meters
  • Cell counters
  • Cell crushers
  • Spectrophotometers
  • PCR equipment
  • Electrophoresis gel imaging equipment
  • Benchtop equipment (vortex, shakers, etc.)
  • Basic microscopes

Once the chosen equipment is validated by our services, the unit forwards the necessary information for the purchase to the administrative team of the SV Infrastructures, according to the procedures concerning the purchase of scientific equipment which can be found on this page.