One of the primary safety devices in laboratories where chemicals are used is the laboratory fume hood. A well-designed fume hood, when properly installed and maintained, can provide a substantial degree of protection for the researcher, provided its proper use and limitations are understood. Check out the results of our latest fume hood survey.

Top 6 Questions You Should Ask When Buying a Fume Hood

1. Can your lab go ductless? Ductless hoods are a viable solution for most routine laboratory applications. If a total exhaust hood is not an absolute requirement for the process being performed, a ductless solution often makes more sense.

2. What is the hood constructed from, how is it constructed, and how does this affect equipment life cycle? Based on your application, will any of the chemicals being used attack, degrade or physically alter the construction material of the hood? Will the hood stand up to harsh corrosives?

3. What type of safety controls are included in the base cost of the unit?

4. Has the manufacturer/distributor gone through a thorough application review process? Does the suggested filtration make sense?

5. How hard is installation? Will there be a future/potential need to move the hood after it has been installed the first time? Should the hood be portable?

6. What are the capital, installation and operational costs? From the lab manager’s perspective, capital costs are but a fraction of the overall budget. Installation/labor costs and operational costs must be factored in as well.

Types of fume hoods our readers are using in their labs:

Reasons our respondents were considering buying a new fume hood included:

The top ten factors/features important to lab research respondents in their decisions to buy a fume hood:

Recently Released Fume Hoods

Independence™
• Provides real-time PPM measurements for filter saturation and an on-board application validation system
• Includes AirSafe™ TOUCH microprocessor controller with LCD one-touch controls
• Features multi-level administrator-defined access— up to 8 unique users
• Comes with energy consumption monitor with energy conservation mode
• Boasts Silconazyne™ bonded gas phase filtration

AirClean Systems
www.aircleansystems.com

Protector® XStream®
• Provides excellent containment for an extremely safe environment
• Features unobstructed sight line of 37-1/2”
• Includes new anti-racking sash suspension system and captured counter weight for whisper quiet operation
• Contains new Eco-Foil™—an aerodynamic sill that reduces energy consumption 7-10% over flat airfoils
• Brings significant savings to the user’s bottom line

Labconco
www.labconco.com

UniFlow SE Aire-Stream
• Are UL 1805 certified
• Offered in 48”, 60”, 72” and 96” widths in either constant air volume or restricted bypass models
• Is a high performance fume hood that maximizes user protection and energy savings

HEMCO
www.hemcocorp.com

Aura®
• EverSafe II™ microprocessor safety controller monitors and adjusts fume hood face velocity to the user preset value
• Has been ASHRAE 110 tested and provides excellent containment from toxic fumes and vapors
• Available in 30, 42 and 54 inch widths

Mystaire Misonix
www.mystaire.com

Fume Hood Manufacturers