What is a Fume Hood?

A chemical fume hood is one of the most important safety devices in any laboratory. It protects you from hazardous fumes, gases, vapours, aerosols, and dust by drawing contaminated air away from your breathing zone and safely venting it outside the building.

But simply having a fume hood isn’t enough, knowing how to use it properly is key to keeping yourself and your lab safe.

How does a Fume Hood work?

As lab air is pulled into the hood, it mixes with hazardous vapours inside. This contaminated air is then drawn away from the user and evacuated through ductwork at the top of the building. When used correctly, a fume hood protects you, your equipment, and your colleagues.

Key Component of a Labconco Fume Hood

Understanding the parts of your fume hood helps you use it safely and effectively:

• The Sash is the glass barrier at the front of the hood. It acts as a shield between you and the hazardous materials inside.
• Baffles are panels at the back of the hood that direct airflow away from the user.
• The Air Foil (sill) is an aerodynamic component located at the bottom of the face opening. It allows air to enter even when the sash is closed.  

Never operate a fume hood without the baffle and air foil. These are critical for safe performance!

Built-in services

Most fume hoods come equipped with services like water, air, gas, and electrical fixtures. Additionally, every hood must have an airflow monitoring device to ensure safe operating conditions.

• If the monitor shows an alarm, stop working immediately
• Resolve the issue before continuing any work inside the hood

Certification matters

Fume hoods must be certified regularly to confirm they’re functioning properly. Look for a certification sticker on the front fascia.

If your hood is past its certification date, do not use it until it’s been recertified by a qualified technician.

Safety tips for everyday use

• Keep your head out of the hood: the interior is always a contaminated space.
• Stay behind the sash: place all hazardous materials at least 15 centimeters inside the hood.
• Elevate equipment: this improves airflow underneath and helps clear contaminants.
• Don’t block the sill or baffles: obstructions can cause uneven airflow and loss of containment.
• Avoid using the hood for storage: store chemicals in proper cabinets when not in use.
• Adjust the sash properly: keep it at a comfortable working height, just above your elbows.
• Close the sash when not in use: this helps contain any residual fumes.
• Keep flammables away from heat sources: if they must coexist, separate them as much as possible.
• Never use perchloric acid in a standard hood: it requires a specially designed system to prevent dangerous buildup and ignition.