Integra's Bunsen burner emphasises safety
Bunsen burner by coming up with a new version, which incorporates a
unique triple safety system and a self-igniting system that does
away with lighters or matches.
Flame sterilization is of central importance in microbiological laboratories with respect to safety. Bunsen burners have been used for decades as standard equipment for routine work in biological laboratories. Over the years however these units have been responsible for many laboratory fires and accidents.
The Fireboy plus features advanced temperature protection, flame monitor and alarm display features to protect the operator and operating environment making it suitable for sterilisation and sample heating applications.
A spokesman for Scientific Laboratory Supplies, Integra's UK distributor, told LabTechnologist.com: "The Fireboy was specifically designed to function as a safety burner for those laboratories that use a class 2 biological safety cabinet."
"The current design of Bunsen burners compromise the safety of these cabinets by having gas or vacuum lines. It is also expensive so in this sense the Fireboy represents a significant cost saving."
The system incorporates an infrared sensor that provides the non-touch ignition of the gas supply when an object passes slowly through the sensor window at a distance of 6 to 8 centimetres.
Operated from a gas cartridge and powered from a battery it can be used without mains power or access to a plumbed-in gas supply. The Fireboy plus comes supplied with three nozzles providing optimal operation with propane / butane, natural gas or town gas.
A foot-activated switch that will stay on for as long as the foot switch is pressed down can also control the Fireboy plus flame, minimising the consumption of oxygen and operating environment heat build-up.
The foot-activated switch and sensor features are just two of three modes the product can function in. A continuous mode that uses a timer to regulate the duration of burning (between 10 and 60 mins) is incorporated too.
The basic unit is available worldwide at a cost of £350 (€500) from Integra's website.
