When working with chemicals it is imperative that your work area is properly ventilated. Keeping toxic fumes and particulate matter that can damage your lungs out of your workspace is essential to the safety of your employees and the lab itself.
If you work around hazardous fumes and vapors, your work should be performed within a fume hood. A fume hood is a piece of equipment designed to keep lab personnel safe by capturing airborne pollutants and directing them away from the user and workspace.
Fume Hood Purpose
Whether a walk-in or bench style, the primary function of a fume hood, or chemical fume hood, is to protect lab personnel. A fume hood is a large and durable piece of laboratory equipment consisting of an enclosed work area behind a clear sliding window called a fume hood sash. A fume hood will constantly move contaminated air away from the operator and push it through the exhaust system of the building and outside into the atmosphere. After the contaminated air is pushed outside and away from laboratory workers, clean air is then recirculated back into the laboratory.
Related: How to Test a Fume Hood’s Face Velocity?
The proper use of a fume hood will increase the safety of your lab, assist in protecting the environment, and aid in ensuring that your laboratory runs more efficiently.
Proper Use of a Fume Hood
Though a fume hood is used for working with volatile chemicals, it is crucial that you do not store chemicals in it. A fume hood is meant for actively working with chemicals and is not a storage unit. If you are in need of storage, your laboratory should be equipped with the proper cabinet designed for the chemicals you are using. Storing chemicals in a fume hood is a safety risk that could have severe consequences and put all staff in danger.
If you need assistance in choosing the right fume hood or cabinet for your work area, please don’t hesitate to contact us. At Fisher American, we have a remarkable selection of casework, workstations, fume hoods and related lab products. Most of our items can be shipped quickly. In most cases, less than two weeks.