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Laboratory Fume Hoods- some points you should know
Laboratory Fume Hoods- some points you should know
Lab fume hoods are specially designed enclosed chambers that are used to control gas or particle outbreak. This article provides some information about these machines to the readers.

Laboratory fume hood or benchtop fume hood is a machine that is often seen in labs where workers deal with hazardous chemicals. This is basically a ventilated and enclosed workstation or workspace. Laboratory fume hood is designed so it can control any outbreak of harmful gas or particle or fire in an emergency. This machine allows the workers to work within an enclosed chamber with all the needed safety.

 What is the purpose of a fume hood?

 The purpose of a fume hood is very simple. It is designed to protect the workers inside a laboratory.

·         The fume hood offers an enclosed space that contains all types of dust or vapors or gas. The incoming air removes these dangerous particles by filtering them and releasing the air after filtration.

·         The lab fume hoods also maintain and control the lab airflow to a certain extent.

·         Laboratory fume foods also protect the workers from burn or splint related injuries through its enclosed space.

What are the limitations of a lab fume hood?

 Well, like any other machine, the lab fume hoods also have some limitations-

1.      The fume hoods are not designed to contain biohazardous materials. So, if your lab deals with biohazards, it is better to use a biosafety cabinet instead of a conventional fume hood.

2.      If the material is highly toxic and radioactive, a conventional fume hood may not be enough to protect the workers.

So, you need to be aware of the fume hood and check if the machine is ideal for your laboratory.

 What to check before working with a lab fume hood?

You need to be precautious if you are working with a fume hood. You should check if the machine works properly, before operating it. Here are some points and guidelines-

a.      Check if the hood monitor is functioning properly. If the visual display and audio set work properly, then the machine is in working condition and you can continue to work with it. If one feature is not working properly, then you should stop working with it and call an expert.

b.      Check if the air filter(HEPA OR URLAC) works right before you experiment inside a fume hood. You can check the airflow by attaching a strip of tissue on the filter sash. If the issue flutters, then the filter is working right. If not then the filter is not working, and it is time fora professional servicing.

c.       Check if the fume hood is certified. Usually, a fume hood certified for 12 months. If the certification has not been renewed for more than a year, you can call the expert now to get it thoroughly checked and certified.

These are some points that you should note and keep in mind while working with a fume hood. Global lab supply is a famous lab supplier that offers a variety of fume hood models to their customers. They offer servicing and maintenance to aidto their clients. You can contact this company or visit their website for more information.