What should you check after you use a fume cupboard?
What should you check after you use a fume cupboard?
Check for obvious surface contamination. Clean if necessary, to avoid adverse reactions with the chemicals you intend to use. Ensure that you have enough space to conduct your work safely and that all unnecessary items of equipment and chemicals not required in the process are removed.
What are the key factors that will affect the effectiveness of a fume cupboard?
5 factors affecting your fume hood performance
- Fume hood design: Fume hood is meant for smooth exhaust of the flow without any reverse flow towards the user.
- Supply air: Lab supply air should be lesser than exhaust air to keep labs under negative pressure.
- Exhaust system:
- Exhaust stack design:
- User work practices:
How often should fume hoods be checked?
For fume hoods, they are primarily concerned with airflow at the face of the hood, monitoring, maintenance, and exhaust. OSHA indicates that the quality and quantity of ventilation should be inspected at installation, then regularly monitored at least every three months.
How do fume cupboards work?
A fume hood is a ventilated enclosure in which gases, vapors and fumes are contained. An exhaust fan situated on the top of the laboratory building pulls air and airborne contaminants through connected ductwork and exhausts them to the atmosphere. The slots and baffles direct the air being exhausted.
Why should experiments be done in a fume cupboard?
Work with substances that produce/generate toxic or harmful fumes, vapours, gases, dust or chemical aerosols should be carried out in a fume cupboard to eliminate or reduce the risk of exposure to an acceptable and safe level.
What can disrupt the airflow of the fume hood?
The following are common situations that can arise in laboratories that may negatively affect fume hood performance:
- Objects obstructing the return ducts and baffle areas.
- Objects and equipment too close to the front of the fume hood.
- Secondary currents created by portable fans and traffic in front of the hood.
Why is a fume cupboard needed?
Fume cupboards are used widely in laboratories and are designed to capture and remove air-borne hazardous substances generated during laboratory experiments (e.g. gases, vapours, aerosols and particulates/dust). Fume cupboards must NOT be used for the containment of biological materials.
What is the best use of a fume hood?
Laboratory Fume Hoods. A properly operating and correctly used fume hood can reduce or eliminate exposure to volatile liquids, dusts, and mists. It is advisable to use a laboratory hood when working with all hazardous substances.
Why is it important to maintain a fume cupboard?
Fume cupboards prevent exposure to hazardous substances in laboratories – provided that they’re correctly maintained. Safety and maintenance of fume cupboards are incredibly important and needs to be fully observed at all times. Here, we offer our guide to fume cupboard safety and maintenance.
When to close the sash on a fume cupboard?
The sash opening should be as small as possible to minimise the chance of fumes escaping. When the fume cupboard is not being used, remember to close the sash. If working with large equipment, elevate it from the base of the hood to allow for air circulation.
What’s the safest way to use a fume hood?
Safe Fume Hood Work Practices Conduct all work and keep all apparatus at least 6 inches back from the face of the hood. A stripe on the bench surface is a good reminder. Keep the hood sash closed as much as possible. Keep the hood slots and baffles free of obstruction by apparatus or containers.
What do fume hoods and biosafety cabinets do?
Fume hoods and biosafety cabinets are two common pieces of lab equipment that can greatly decrease the potential for inhalation exposures to hazardous chemicals or biological agents.