A More Comprehensive Look at Fume Hoods

While some fume hood designs have very specific purposes, it’s important to view your choice of laboratory fume hoods comprehensively. When expanding your laboratory and upgrading your fume hood setup, consider these areas to find the best fit for your lab. This will help you evaluate your needs fully before making a decision.

Resistance to Wear

Many fume hoods handle specific materials more efficiently.  For example, perchloric acid fume hoods are designed to manage the washing and removal of perchlorates, while radioisotope fume hoods provide the ideal setting for handling radioactive materials.  Getting the wrong fume hood in these instances would expose the hood to premature wear, corrosion, rust, and the need to be replaced.  Your fume hood choice should be designed for the environment it will face.

Energy Efficiency

Most often, lab owners see the fume hood itself as the most important aspect of energy efficiency for the hood system.  But it’s also important to note that the exhaust system and standard operating procedures followed by employees also make a big difference in the amount of energy consumed.  A maximized lab fume hood system can make the most of your hood efficiency as well as impact on heating and air demands within the lab.  Standard operating procedures that ensure fume hood sashes aren’t left open will also minimize the amount of energy a hood uses.

Design

Laboratory fume hoods should be considered very early in the design phase.  It doesn’t matter if the lab design is for a research laboratory or an educational venue. Fume hoods have unique needs for plumbing and electrical that other areas of the lab don’t.  A well-designed lab will maximize space and accommodate fume hood needs.  Laboratory fume hoods shouldn’t be considered an accessory or add-on to a lab, but should be a key component in the lab design from the start.  Placing a fume hood strategically within a laboratory will ensure necessary airflow and an ideal working area within the hood.

A comprehensive look at laboratory fume hoods can help you get the performance, safety, and results you expect from your lab. It can also help to have your lab professionally designed, installed, and inspected to maximize its full potential.