Effectively Using a Fume Hood

1. Effectively Using a Fume Hood A fume hood is a unit that is used to promote safety in the laboratory. Professionals in various industries use a fume hood to complete a task that involves hazardous materials in order to stay safe. It is important to have quality fume hoods installed in your lab when materials need to be handled that can be dangerous. Providing quality training must also be included so that users know the best practices to remain safe during operation. Understanding Standard Guidelines When using a fume hood, there are guidelines that must be followed. The exhaust must be operating properly. The unit will have a special ventilation system that

2. will exhaust any hazardous vapors and fumes from the laboratory. The baffles of the unit need to be checked often to ensure that they are not obstructed. Certain fume hoods have an airflow monitor and this needs to be checked to ensure that the system is functioning properly. If any changes are found, the work needs to be stopped so that the airflow can be checked to ensure safety. When using a benchtop fume hood, the user needs to keep the face outside of the system. The sash is a barrier that provides protection. Only the hands should cross the sash and be placed inside the fume hood. It is recommended that the user should stay at least six inches from the fume hood face. Protective gear should also be used to ensure safety. This can include goggles, gloves and a face shield. The type of testing or experiment you are conducting will determine the type of gear needed. Installing Fume Hoods If you are setting up a laboratory, the installation process of a fume hood is essential to the success and safety of the lab. The hood needs to be of good quality, able to provide personal protection for the user during chemistry applications that involve fumes and vapors. Hoods can be installed that have a built-in blower or a remotely-located blower, depending on your lab needs. Fume hoods can be installed that offer additional safety measures such as fire and corrosion resistance. Units with fiberglass reinforced polyester can provide resistance to fire and corrosion which helps to protect the facility as well as the user. Fume hoods are not created to handle every type of explosion, but they can protect an employee from a volatile reaction. Every type of fume hood will have limits, so it is important to know the danger involved when working with various materials. When a fume hood is installed properly it will provide protection, but the level of protection will be limited.

3. Any small explosions that could occur should be handled by the safety glass. The glass is created to withstand a small impact and should spider instead of shattering. If you are in need of fume hoods for your laboratory, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about the fume hood types we carry and how they can effectively assist in the safety of your space. Content Source