Fume Hood Inspection Program

General

• EH&S has established a program to annually inspect all laboratory fume hoods on campus as a service to fume hood users.
• Face velocity measurements are taken at each hood and the hood is then marked with a label which categorizes the hood use
• The inspection provides information about
  • the condition of each hood
  • what operations can be safely performed in it
  • chemical waste, use, and labeling practices in and around the hood
  • hood use practices
  • chemical compatibility
  • other safety inspection items

Hood Use Categories

1. Approved Laboratory Fume Hood:
   • The hood is operating satisfactorily for the use of hazardous chemicals or radioactive material if the sash is positioned at or below the height indicated on the label.
   • Hood face velocity is at least 100 fpm with a sash height of at least 15 inches, which is considered the minimum sash height for convenient work in the hood
   • Face velocity should not be more than 160 fpm, as exhaust rates above this level cause turbulence and reduce capture efficiency of the hood.
2. Low Flow:
   • The hood is not operating adequately to properly remove hazardous vapors - it does not have a face velocity of 100 fpm at a sash height of 15 inches
   • Work area equivalent to a lab bench surface
   • No work which generates hazardous vapor or gas will be performed
   • Because a low-flow hood is exhausting conditioned building air, it must either be repaired to function as a chemical hood or it will be disabled by Facilities Services
3. Out of Service: The hood has been disabled and posted

Reports

• EH&S distributes the results of inspections to each Department on request
  
• Departments should contact Facilities Services  to request repair or upgrade of a fume hood that is not operating satisfactorily