The chemical fume hood represents the most critical collective protection device present in the laboratory. Within this structure, manipulations are capable of generating a diffusion of toxic vapors, but thanks to the frontal aspiration, everything is taken and conveyed to the external environment. The careful design and construction of fume hoods have allowed us to obtain significantly better performance than EN standards’ requirements. The company designs and manufactures all its ranges of technical laboratory furniture in compliance with the most stringent requirements of international standards. The protection level of the laboratory hood depends on:
The type of technology with which it is equipped; the kind of filters used; the type of suction system.
Fume hoods are to be considered areas of potential danger. Extremely flammable, explosive, or toxic atmospheres can develop within them. For this reason, the hood must be used correctly and always kept in perfect working order. It is guaranteed that each fume extraction hood and having been previously tested in the factory for the containment index, and certified.
Ease of use, product certifications, intense brightness, and visibility of the work area combined with excellent management of suction volumes, containment of fumes, and energy-saving make fume hoods a simple but effective work tool.
Advantages
Chemical fume hoods, when employed correctly, are among the most trustworthy technology controls in the lab. They protect employees by:
Containing vapors, dust, gases, and fumes created inside the hood, and eliminating them, airflows to the hood then out through the lab exhaust system.
Contributing to lab ventilation as air leaks through the hood.
Shielding the employee with a transparent sliding window, also called a sash, which contains aerosols and prevents harm from splashes, fires, or small explosions that may occur in the hood.
Some newer versions, known as variable air volume (VAV) hoods, regulate air circulation based on sash elevation and keep 100 feet per minute face velocity at all sash heights. EH&S evaluations VAV hoods but does not indicate the sash height because it is always 100 feet per minute.
Precautions
- Fume hoods are not appropriate for use with biohazardous materials.
- BSCs are designed to protect the employee and the environment from biological agents and guard the research substances against contamination.
- Highly poisonous substances.
- In some instances, for exceptionally toxic substances, a glove box or a different containment apparatus is favored above a chemical fume hood.
