Apr 09, 2020 a fume hood is a piece of laboratory equipment that is used to protect scientists from the possible negative effects of an experiment. If you, the hood user, are following good fume hood etiquette, you are taking care not only of your own safety and wellbeing, but that of your coworkers as well. Standard operating procedure laboratory chemical fume hoods. Fume hood use varies widely depending on the type of procedures being performed in the space, the safety needs of the users, the protection needs of the experiments and specimens in the hood, the physical size of the experiments and the type of fumes to be contained. But if you dont use the hood properly, you wont get the full safety benefits of this important piece of equipment and you could be exposed to the harmful fumes youre dealing with. Check that the fumehood is operating correctly before you start work. Keeping equipment and chemicals in the fume hood unnecessarily may cause airflow blockage. Fume hoods office of environmental health and safety. A fume hood face velocity of 100 fpm is considered acceptable in standard practice. Use a chemical fume hood anytime your work involves. It is important to know how to use your laboratory fume hood effectively in order to ensure maximum safety.
Supremescience in this video, i explain how to properly use a. A properly operating and correctly used fume hood can reduce or eliminate exposure to volatile liquids, dusts, and mists. Containing vapors, dusts, gases, and fumes generated within the hood, and removing them as air flows into the hood and then out via the laboratory exhaust system. Made out of panelized fiberglass, the design allows for wider and deeper standard sizes. Jun 08, 2018 chemical fume hoods, when used properly, are one of the most reliable engineering controls in the laboratory. Quick facts laboratorysafety chemicalfumehoods continuedfrompage1 occupationalsafety andhealthadministration.
The most important function is protecting lab technicians from chemical fumes, gases and vapors. Do not put your head in the hood, beyond the sash opening. Chemicals that have high acute toxicity, are carcinogens, caror are reproductive toxins must be. The following work practices are always required when using chemical fume hoods. Its secondary function includes protection against chemical spills, runaway reactions and fires by acting as a physical barrier. Laboratory fume hoods a laboratory fume hood is a type of ventilation system that primarily functions to provide personnel protection against toxic fumes, vapors and dust. In certain situations face velocity of up to 125 fpm or as low as 75 fpm may be acceptable to meet required capture. Do not use the hood if the flow rate monitor is alarming or the monitor readings differ significantly 20% from the ehs inspection sticker. The fume hood must be operated with the sash no higher than the red arrow.
When used properly, fume hoods offer a significant degree of protection for the user. Laboratory fume hoods new and used available for sale. Certain chemicals used in large quantities such as perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid. Chemical fume hoods, when used properly, are one of the most reliable engineering controls in the laboratory. This ensures that no other air currents in the laboratory redirect the fumes to other parts of the laboratory.
Polycarbonate can be installed on most fume hood types, as long as the liner material is compatible with hydrofluoric acid. This is particularly important for those situations you use solvents and acids that can produce a volatile condition. A fume hood is a ventilated enclosure that usually vents separately. Using a fumehood correctly perform all work involving hazardous or volatile materials in a fume hood. It was of use to thieves by its fume and sheen, being a stone born, as it were, to aid theft, and even opening bars and locks. The primary function of a laboratory fume hood is to exhaust any type of substance that may cause harm, such as fumes, aerosol, gasses, vapors and dust. Why shouldnt i use a stand alone or ductless fume hood that doesnt vent to the outside.
Bypass chemical fume hoods are the most common type, operating at a constant air volume. Safe use of chemical fume hoods environmental health and safety. In summary, follow these practices for safe hood use. The fume hood can provide adequate protection for most laboratory processes if it is used correctly. A chemical fume hood is the main piece of laboratory equipment that protects laboratory staff working with hazardous chemicals. The fume hood is only one part of the lab ventilation system. The fume hood is operating correctly when the magnehelic gauge indicates the pressure level at the time of certification or when the tsi gauge reads 100 fpm or greater. All new installations or relocation of fume hoods must be commissioned by ehs prior to use. Jan 23, 2019 fume hoods play an important role in laboratories. High performance hoods operating on a variable air volume vav system are the most efficient. Safe use of chemical fume hoods always work with the sash at the proper operating level as indicated by the arrows, usually no more than 1218 inches open. Using a malfunctioning fume hood can be of great danger to the worker. The protector echo is labconcos newest fume hood model. Gases or vapors escaping from pressurized systems may move at sufficient velocity to escape from the fume hood.
Health and lab safety guidelines require stringent handling of fumes and appropriate. Use your fume hood, or other engineering controls, rather than the benchtop when there is a possibility of overexposure to air contaminants generated by a laboratory activity. This is particularly important for those situations you use solvents and. The laboratory chemical fume hood is the most common local exhaust ventilation system used in laboratories and is the primary method used to control inhalation exposures to hazardous substances. Fume hood use varies widely depending on the type of procedures being performed in the space, the safety needs of the users, the protection needs of the experiments and specimens in the hood, the. Yet they are as much a part of the successful operation of the system as the fume hood itself. General purpose fume hoods labconco protector airo filtered fume hoods the protector airo filtered fume hood has compact design that combines erlabs neutrodine filter with fullyfeatured.
How to select the correct fume hood for your applications. A fume hood is a type of local ventilation device that is designed to limit exposure to hazardous. Fume hoods that do not vent solvents outside of the building rely on filters inside the. The fume hood is often the primary control device for protecting laboratory workers when working with flammable andor toxic chemicals. To check the air flow a strip of paper, tissue, or ribbon can be. The protector xl is labconcos most flexible fume hood. Fume hoods are inspected and tested annually to assess performance. Safe use of chemical fume hoods environmental health and. Guidelines for the safe use of laboratory fume hoods. A fume hood is a piece of laboratory equipment that is used to protect scientists from the possible negative effects of an experiment.
Ductless fume hoods provide a host of benefits over ducted hoods. When multiple chemicals are used the filter can reach saturation without anyone realizing it. Fume hood is only one of many terms for such containment devices. The dos and donts of fume hood safety chances are excellent that if you ask laboratory workers to describe the ventilation system for their laboratories, they will not include themselves as part of the system.
Read chemical fume hoods overview to learn about how fume hoods protect you. Whats the difference between a fume hood and a biosafety. In the event of lab move out and some servicesrepairs, lab personnel and researchers are responsible for decontamination of their fume hoods. Safety glasses goggles, lab coats, and appropriate chemical gloves must be worn when. General work practices for laboratory hoods vanderbilt. Certain chemicals used in large quantities such as perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrofluoric acid should not be used in a chemical fume hood that is not approved for their use.
Using a malfunctioning fume hood can be of great danger to the. A guide to fume hood codes and standards laboratory design. Example of a fume hood that has been set up incorrectly. Please contact vehs 3222057 if you have questions regarding proper use of your fume hood or if you would like to have your fume hood tested. A ductless fume hood is designed to be used whenonly one chemical is used so that the filtration and maintenance schedule can be calculated based on that specific use. Fume hoods are designed to keep laboratory professionals safe while working with hazardous materials. Any fume hood system should have an alarm, which will notify you immediately in the event of a malfunction. Safety glasses goggles, lab coats, and appropriate chemical gloves must be worn when working in, on, or around the fume hood. The dos and donts of fume hood safety chances are excellent that if you ask laboratory workers to describe the ventilation system for their laboratories, they will not include themselves as. This is primarily done by keeping the air inside the fume hood away from the people doing the experiment. But if you dont use the hood properly, you wont get the full safety benefits of this important piece of equipment and.
Jan 28, 2015 this hood utilises a smaller blower, sash stops and bypass blocks to reduce air volume into the hood. A fume hood uses highefficiency hepa and carbonactivated filters. Beginners guide to fume hoods and safety cabinets bitesize bio. All chemicals should be handled in a laboratory hood whenever possible. This is primarily done by keeping the air inside the fume. Safe use procedures properly functioning fume hoods help achieve personnel safety with respect to the hazards of chemical vapors and other harmful airborne substances. The dos and donts of fume hood safety the scientist.
Monitoringalarms many older labs are equipped with fume hoods that do not have air flow monitoring devices. Ducted fume hoods are ventilated to the outside providing the most rigorous user protection, particularly for chemically dangerous fumes. We offer stationary, portable, benchtop, and downdraft stations suitable for many applications, including welding and soldering stations, metal grinding, solvent mixing, and even painting. Fume hoods are inspected and tested annually to assess performance standards but it is up to you to use a fumehood safely. All fume hoods and other capture devices must be installed in consultation with facilities and ehs. Make sure that the exhaust blower is operating and air is entering the hood, prior to starting an experiment. Its an energy saver for the lab, but it also means theres a smaller range of experimentation you can use it for, compared to conventional fume hoods. Even so, the average fume hood does have several limitations. Check the baffles to make sure they are not obstructed. If the monitor is alarming, do not mute or use the fume hood. The dos and donts of fume hood safety the scientist magazine. After maintenance work is performed new motor, repairs, modifications, relocation, a new fume hood being installed, etc. Fume hoods must have the air flow checked and be certified. Fume hoods fume extractors for laboratory use coleparmer.
Fume hoods are a primary method of exposure control in the laboratory. When using a fume hood, there should be arrows located on the sash to indicate at what height the window should be raised. Before beginning work in a chemical fume hood do the following. A fume hood is a ventilated, enclosed work space intended to capture, contain, and exhaust harmful or dangerous fumes, vapors, and particulate matter. A fume hoods main job is to exhaust hazardous vapors and fumes out of the area.
Learn just how much switching to ductless fume hoods could save you over the life of your equipment. Fume hoods play an essential role in any laboratory, keeping technicians safe from toxic chemicals by providing a ventilation system. Fume hoods do not prevent spills and splashes, nor is the use of a hood a substitute for ppe. Health and lab safety guidelines require stringent handling of fumes and appropriate technology to ensure proper air quality is maintained. Fume hoods get rid of vapors from any reactions or reagents lab workers may be using. Fume hoods fume extractors for laboratory use cole. They filter the air to prevent the inhalation of toxic. Fume hoods also offer other features and protections that are useful in a laboratory setting. Confirm the fume hood has been certified within the last 12 months. Oct 03, 2008 how to use your laboratory fume hood properly. Use a fume hood when handling more than 500 ml of any liquid or gas with a tlv or pel between 5 and 50 ppm or powders between 0. Most fume hoods for industrial purposes are ducted. Detailed instructions for use of the fume hood can be found in the lab safety manual. If the fume hood has an airflow monitor, check the monitors status to ensure proper functioning.
Choose from our selection of replaceable fume hood filters. The hood should not be operated unless it is verified that it is working correctly. Fume hood capture velocity is the speed at which fumes must be moving at a specific distance in front of the hood opening in order for the fumes to move to the. A fume hood is a ventilated, enclosed work space intended to capture, contain, and exhaust harmful or dangerous fumes, vapors, and particulate matter generated by procedures. Fume hood capture velocity is the speed at which fumes must be moving at a specific distance in front of the hood opening in order for the fumes to move to the hood and exhaust out of the room. View the proper use of a fume hood video for a demonstration of how air currents and drafts can affect fume hood operation. In addition, a laboratory hood or other suitable containment device must be used for all work with particularly hazardous substances. Fume hoods are essential for the containment of dangerous fumes and for the protection of occupants in the lab. Typically, general use fume hoods are set at 115 fpm. Chemical fume hoods radiological and environmental.
In certain situations face velocity of up to 125 fpm or as low as 75 fpm may be acceptable to meet required capture velocities of the fume hood. A fume hood is not designed to contain high velocity releases of particulate contaminants unless the sash is fully closed. Class iii biosafety cabinets are gastight enclosures, with both intake air and exhaust air passing through hepa filtration. This hood comes standard as large as 16 feet wide x 43. Auxiliaryair, reduced air volume and high performance fume hoods all fall under the bypass chemical fume hood umbrella. Chemical fume hoods reliably help protect you from chemical hazards when properly used, but they do have limitations. If your fume hood has not been certified within the last year, or if you have any questions regarding fume hoods, call ehs at 734 6471143. Please observe following safety considerations for the safe use of fume hood. When properly used, fume hoods protect staff from inhaling. Visit to learn more about our selection of used laboratory fume hoods products for sale. To request that a new or relocated fume hood be commissioned, contact ehs.
Before beginning work, test your hood to ensure there is sufficient air flow. We have compact, benchtop, and fullsized ducted fume hoods. A fume hood is a type of local ventilation device that is designed to limit exposure to hazardous or toxic fumes, vapors or dusts. Guidance on the use of fume hoods at tufts university fume hoods. Proper use of the fumehood sash can also shield the worker from an uncontrolled reaction.