Fume hoods play a vital role in protecting laboratory personnel from exposure to hazardous substances. Proper installation of laboratory fume hoods is necessary to ensuring the safety and efficiency of laboratory operations as well as compliance with standards and regulations.
This article discusses best practices for fume hood installation and reviews some common regulations.
Installing a fume hood requires planning, adherence to safety guidelines, and attention to detail. Here are some best practices to consider.
Pre-Installation Planning
Equipment Selection
Site Preparation
Positioning the Fume Hood
Utility Connections
Testing and Commissioning
Training and Documentation
Final Inspection and Approval
Following best practices like these throughout the installation process ensures the fume hood is safely and efficiently installed in the laboratory environment. If you are unsure about any aspect of the installation, consult with qualified biomedical technicians for guidance.
Regulations and standards for fume hoods are established to ensure the safety of laboratory staff and compliance with environmental mandates. Here are representative regulations and standards commonly applied to fume hoods.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
While OSHA does not have specific regulations for fume hoods, it does require that employers provide a safe working environment. Safe laboratory environments include the use of appropriate ventilation systems, like fume hoods, to control exposure to hazardous substances.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 110
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 110 outlines the method for testing and evaluating the performance of laboratory fume hoods. It covers aspects such as force velocity, containment, and airflow patterns within the hood.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 45
NFPA 45 provides guidelines for fire protection in laboratories using hazardous materials. While it does not specifically address fume hoods, it does include requirements for ventilation systems which involve the use of fume hoods to control chemical exposure and mitigate fire risks.
International Mechanical Code (IMC) and International Fire Codes (IFC)
The IMC and IFC include regulations related to mechanical ventilation systems, including fume hoods, to ensure adequate ventilation and safety in the laboratory environment.
Local and Institutional Regulations
Additional local and facility regulations and standards may be applied to the installation, operation, and maintenance of fume hoods. It is best practice to review building codes, environmental regulations, and facility safety guidelines before installing fume hoods.
Manufacturer Specifications
Manufacturers of fume hoods commonly provide specifications and guidelines for the proper installation, operation, and maintenance of their laboratory hoods. Adherence to these instructions will ensure safety and optimal performance.
Fume hoods can only effectively protect laboratory staff from chemical exposure if they are professionally installed in accordance with standards set by the manufacturer and regulatory bodies. Selecting qualified biotechnicians to perform the installation is essential.
Recently CME’s DTS team installed 13 fume hoods of various sizes and weights for City of Hope in Duarte, Southern California. This complex installation took four hours, a team of nine, and required the use of pallet jacks to maneuver the 1,000-pound hoods through doorways.
With the new facility still under construction, work vehicles needed to be moved away from the receiving area for the 7 am delivery. Like most construction sites, the receiving area was muddy and riddled with potholes making delivery difficult. Inside the partially constructed building CME teams dodged cables dangling from the ceiling and on the floor while moving the heavy hoods to their service locations for installation.
White-glove, Direct-to-Site delivery and installation and Biomedical services have been staples of CME’s turnkey logistics for over 45 years.
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About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for healthcare equipment, turnkey logistics, and biomedical services, representing 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers. With two corporate offices and 35+ service centers, our mission is to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.