Buying a fume hood – See what you need to know
Questions to ask when buying
a fume hood extractor
Fume extraction and filtration machines are an integral part of most labs and are critical in HSE 258 and COSHH Compliance.
Our ventilated enclosures enable laboratory personnel and the likes to safely work with materials that produce hazardous fumes and volatile vapours.
Selecting a fume hood that is the right fit for your premises and chemicals is important and there are many different ducted and ductless designs to choose from. Traditionally fume hoods have consumed large amounts of energy but many newer units are designed with energy efficiency in mind. This helps reduce operating costs, some less than 1p per hour, while providing the necessary protection to the operator and surroundings.
The Questions To Ask…
- Which chemicals will be used in the Fume extractor and do you have copies of your MSDS?
- Is a Ducted or Recirculating fume extractor best suited to your needs? Ducting can be fed through a window using our adaptors if holes cannot be drilled
- Where will the Fume extractor be positioned within the lab? Consider workflows, access to external exhaust systems, and competing airflow patterns.
- What size Fume cabinet will best suit your needs? Consider what equipment you will potentially used inside if any.
- Are any additional services such as electrical outlets, water, or gas fixtures required?
- Are base storage cabinets for acid, solvent, or non-chemical storage required?
Purchasing Tip
When selecting a fume hood for your lab, there are many factors to consider and options to choose from. Before you buy, always start with safety by making sure the fume hood you purchase is effective against the types of chemicals you’ll be working with.
If you need any advice please do not hesitate to contact us via email or over the phone.