Ensuring Environment Safety With Lab Fume Hoods & Cabinets

A ventilated cage used to collect and release vapors, fumes, and nanoparticles is called a chemical fume hood. Usually located at the top of the structure, the exhaust fan draws air into the hood through the ductwork that is attached to it before exhausting it into the atmosphere.

With the use of a blower, a fume hood moves air away from the user and into the enclosure. The facility exhaust system is used by the fume hood to cleanse the air before venting it outside. As an alternative, a fume hood might filter the air to remove harmful fumes or smoke before recirculating it into space. This keeps the proper ventilation for the area.  

The most dependable and effective way to reduce laboratory workers' airborne exposure to dangerous compounds is to use laboratory fume hoods. Personnel exposure can be brought down to extremely low levels by adhering to the fundamental guidelines for proper fume hood utilization.

Materials that must be used in a fume hood include flammable solvents, corrosive acids, corrosive bases, combustible or possibly explosive concentrations of gases, irritant vapors or dust, asphyxiating gases, and open sources of volatile radionuclides.

Bench-top fume hood
A bench-top fume hood is one that is mounted 36" or less off the ground on a work surface. You will also need a work surface, an exhaust blower, and a base cabinet for support.

Floor-mounted fume hood
Instead of resting on a different surface, a floor-mounted fume hood, also known as a walk-in fume hood, is placed from the floor up.

Double-faced fume hood
The best fume hood for demonstrations is one with two faces. It enables 360-degree viewing and has entrances on both sides. This kind of fume hood can be a stationary unit that is mounted onto the wall or a bench, or it can be a mobile unit. These frequently take place in classrooms or laboratories, where instructional demonstrations are common.

Portable fume hood 
Recirculating range hoods are another name for portable fume hoods. Since they don't have ducts, they run on a carbon filter system. These hoods are less expensive, simpler to install, portable, and energy-efficient. No wall penetration or ductwork is needed for the installation process. You may transfer them to different locations in your lab because they are frequently smaller or on wheels. These are more environmentally friendly than full-sized fume hoods if energy use is a factor.

• Don't store anything under the hood, and keep it clutter-free.
• Finish all work at least six inches away from the hood's opening.
• When the hood is not being worn, lower the sash.
• You should never put your head inside the hood.
• Refrain from moving quickly near the hood because doing so could generate turbulence that could let dangerous vapor escape.

Considering fume hood is necessary while you are building your laboratory. A successful laboratory plan will encourage the usage of lab space while ensuring that lab staff are working in a safe environment.

The size of the fume hood you require will rely on a variety of elements, including the tools you want to use inside, the kind of job you'll be doing, and the size of your workspace.

Whether you need a 3-foot or 12-foot hood depends on the size of the space, but whether a 5-foot or 6-foot hood is required depends on the equipment you intend to use inside the hood.

Additionally, a facility designed for extensive chemical usage should include at least 2.5 linear feet of hood space per person if your lab is used by numerous employees.

To make sure that laboratory hoods are functioning properly to confine dangerous chemical vapors and fumes, chemical fume hood certification is required. The Office of Research Safety Affairs must certify fume hoods every year.

Fume hoods should be placed far from facilities, areas, or activities that cause turbulence or air currents. Away from air supply diffusers, doors, and windows that can be opened. The ability of hoods to expel contaminated air is affected by air turbulence.