Laboratory Fume Hood is an enclosed device, with an exception for exhaust purposes, when necessary, the three sides, the top and bottom sides have a mechanical ventilator that draws air inward. For the operation of this device, lab workers need to insert their arms and hands. This means of operation controls the exposure to hazardous substances like chemicals or biological agents from moving out of the enclosed area.
What is the purpose of the fume hoods?
Using the chemical fume hoods correctly will protect the lab workers from various health risks. The hood can contain vapor, dust particles, gases and any fume arising within the hood. The air flows inside the hood add to the laboratory ventilation and expels through the laboratory exhaust system.
Workers are protected by the clear sliding window sash provided with aerosols that ward injury
from sample splashes, fire or experimental explosion occurring within the hood.
Safety checks for using while using the Hoods
Lab workers are expected to use PPE (personal protection equipment) when dealing with chemicals.
When working on the Laboratory Fume Hoods, check if the fume head monitor is working properly. Check if the visual and audio components are displaying the correct indicators. You must observe if the alarm mode immediately terminates all operations and do not work until the problem has been fully addressed.
Ensure that the air is flowing into the hood when the hood is in use.
How can you check the airflow in the hood?
A strip of tissue should be taped into the sash, check if it reacts to the air current. The baffles should be kept at the back of the hood so that it is not disturbed when at work. The airfoil should be kept in place along the front bottom edge. If the position is altered, the performance of the airflow in the fume head can be seriously impacted.
Electric codes and hoses can obstruct the easy functioning of the airfoil and sash. Keep the hoods clutter-free and avoid unnecessary dumping. Keeping enough breathing space within the hoods will allow airflow around the experiments. You must ensure that no cross-draft air circulation is happening around the hood. The spent, exhaled air is expelled from the safe air zone.
What causes air currents?
Ventilation condition inside the room
Doors and windows are open allowing air passage.
People walking past the fume hood.
If arm and body movement when working on the hood is rapid.
Modifications in the fume hood and exhaust system can cause hazardous gases to escape, this must be done in controlled conditions.
The sash must be closed at all times to maintain safety and conserve energy. A Fume hood draws a huge amount of energy that can be equal to three houses, therefore to ensure that no extra energy is lost you must keep the hood closed to utilize and conserve energy.
Apart from setup, the sash arrow should not be raised above the efficient operating level.
In a horizontal sliding pane, the sash must be positioned at a lower position within a small open area.
The work area should be 6 inches inside the hood to capture contaminants better. When using perchloric acid the wash down hood must be used. Hoods must not be used to evaporate solvent spills that are not required. The spills must be cleaned immediately and the solvents should be adequately disposed of.
What are the different types of hoods?
Fume hoods come in two types.
- Constant air volume hoods (CAV)
These hoods exact the exact amount of air each time irrespective of the sash position. The change in the sash position, when lowered and raised changes the hood velocity.
- Variable air volume hoods (VAV)
These are the more recent hood models allowing moderate airflow that is dependent on the sash height, keeping 100 feet per minute sash face velocity irrespective of sash height. These hoods being recent are provided with a monitor displaying standard/standby operation mode. The assembly includes an emergency purge button, responsible for increasing the airflow inside the hood removing air contaminants at high speed. Flow sensors that are activated with an audible alarm system draw attention in case of malfunctioning. You must contact the concerned service provider on such an occasion.
What are the limitations of the Laboratory Fume Hoods?
The fume hoods are not meant for biohazardous components, use Biosafety Cabinet instead. If you are working on highly toxic materials, Laboratory Fume Hood is not advised. Some places also use ductless fume hoods; however, their safety value is not too reliable. Ductless hoods are mobile and allow workers to use the hood in different workstations. However, these hoods are not as effective in removing chemicals and fumes and are not recommended for continuous use. They can be very noisy owing to the internal blowers. These fume hoods cannot support high temperatures and toxic chemicals.
Laboratory fume hoods certification
The fume hood is checked by different authorities that certify with a sticker of compliance on the fume hood assuring the reliability of the equipment. The certification test includes mandates like how the hood reacts to laboratory room pressure differences. The room pressure must not affect the non-laboratory space.
The latest certification stickers must be displayed.
The sash movement must be seamless
The alarm system should work efficiently
The face velocity should be within the domain of 100 linear feet/min
The overall fume hood condition must be inspected.
The equipment should follow the certification standards applied by all the authorities that have certified the product.
Why buy the fume hood from iGene Labserve?
iGene Labserve Pvt. Ltd. brings one of the most technologically advanced laboratory machines and equipment for research and development. Affording the ease of scientific research that increases the accuracy with high-tech instruments; iGene labserve extends its service to healthcare, genomics & proteomics, drug discovery, biopharma, food & beverages labs. Working with a team of dedicated engineers the company strives to maintain the best relationship with customers aiding them at every step with product maintenance. You can order iGene labserve and expect a prompt supply. Visit the website https://www.igenels.com/ to order the equipment that you require.
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