Choosing The Right Fume Hood For Your Laboratory
Selecting a fume hood can seem intimidating. When working in a laboratory environment, whether it be educational or industrial, it’s important to have a properly functioning fume hood at your disposal and a lab worker that knows how to use it. By considering the below questions, it will narrow down the options to choose from and help you make an informed decision.
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What application will the hood be used for?
Document what you will be doing inside the fume hood. Remember to include what solvents, chemicals and acids are used, the volume and whether heat needs to be applied. This will determine if you require a ducted or recirculating fume hood. Chemicals such as Perchloric Acid and Hydrofluoric Acid will require specific designs or filters.
What size hood is required?
Consider the space you have allocated and make sure it is placed away from doorways and air conditioners – Westlab has 6 standard widths from 900mm to 2400mm. Also, determine the dimensions of the equipment that need to be housed in the hood. It is recommended to allow a minimum gap of 150mm behind the sash to create the safest working space. The standard depth of Westlab fume hoods is 750mm. If you are using extra-large equipment you may need a floor-mounted hood, otherwise, a bench mounted hood is more popular.
Are service fixtures or accessories required?
Additional parts such as airflow monitors, and laboratory gas, vacuum and cold-water fixtures can be installed to suit the application. Features like these can save on the costs of electricity and increase efficiency in the laboratory.
Where is the exhaust fan (blower) located?
Will there be a dedicated exhaust fan for this hood or will it connect to a central system? If connected to a central system; will it be constant volume or variable air volume? Ducted fume hoods use the laboratory’s existing air duct system and can prove to be an expensive venture as preventative maintenance needs to be administered to ensure that nothing clogs or blocks the duct. Ductless fume hoods rely on neutralising agents and filters to ensure that the dangerous chemicals are less harmful. Since a ductless fume hood does not dispense chemicals directly into the environment, it is thought to be a more environmentally safe alternative to traditional ducted fume hoods. Furthermore, the unit does not generate a great deal of energy, unlike ducted fume hoods. A ductless fume hood will require more maintenance costs in the form of filter changes. However, ductless hoods offer a lot more in terms of mobility since they only require electric power and table space.
What accessories are required outside of the fume hood?
Will you be using existing casework to support the hood, or do you need a work surface, trolley or base cabinets? Also, determine if duct-work will be needed from the hood to the roof.
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Conclusion
After you have all these questions answered, contact Westlab and we will find the right fume hood for you! Don’t forget, a fume hood is just one part of a whole system. When budgeting for a fume hood, remember to include the costs for the supporting base cabinet and installation of the ductwork and exhaust system. As one of the most important pieces of equipment related to worker safety, using the correct fume hood for your laboratory’s purposes is crucial.