Laboratories are often characterized by the use of highly reactive and toxic chemicals and substances. Serving as the hub for all research and development activities, such laboratories need to be equipped with special furniture that has been designed specially to cater to these working conditions. Though there are a number of furniture pieces that have been developed specifically for laboratories, the chemical fume hood has become renowned for their advantageous and effective properties. These fume hoods have been designed to mechanically draw air inside, controlling the contamination of various substances in the lab. And fume hoods continuously control the exposure of the lab objects and specimens to hazardous substances.
This article aims to offer an introduction to chemical fume hoods, with an overview of their types, applications, and other important factors to consider.
Types of Fume Hoods
Chemical fume hoods are available in different forms depending onhttps://www.rdm-ind.com/chemical-fume-hood/ their working principle. The most common form of a fume hood is the bypass hood also known as a constant air volume (CAV) fume hood. The CAV hoods are called so because they are used to regulate a constant volume of air, operating to vent out a fixed amount of air all the time. The other popular type of fume hood – the variable air volume (VAV) fume hood is a more advanced one. This fume hood regulates airflow on the basis of the sash height. The VAV hoods are generally equipped with a monitor to check which mode they are working on, and they also feature an emergency purge option.
Applications and Benefits of Chemical Fume Hoods
Chemical fume hoods have found application in laboratories that involve working with toxic and hazardous substances. When handled efficiently, chemical fume hoods stand out as one of the most instrumental and efficient lab furniture pieces. It protects lab technicians and other employees in the lab from hazardous substances. Fume hoods also get rid of the harmful particles in the air inside the lab, including dust, toxic fumes, and gases, vapors etc. And fume hood also regulates the air, venting out the intoxicated air and allowing fresh air. In this way, a fume hood reduces the exposure the harmful substance and shields the lab workers.
As a laboratory apparatus, chemical fume hoods offer many advantages as compared to the traditional venting systems. Lab fume hoods are most commonly used in clinics and research laboratories. Although today, they have found some significance in other important applications too like in manufacturing units and botanical laboratories. Apart from this, fume hood safety is also instrumental in many medical facilities, electronics industries, circuit board manufacturing units, and even the semiconductor industry too, (to name just a few more).
Purchasing a Fume Hood – The Different Models Available
Lab fume hoods manufacturers generally offer a wide variety of models when it comes to fume hoods. You can choose one of their more popular models. Or you can opt to have a more customized lab fume hood to better suit your requirements. The choice of fume hood will largely be dictated by different factors. These include working conditions, space availability, and nature of experiments. It also includes the material of the hood and lastly the fume hood price.
Some of the most common models of chemical fume hoods offered by manufacturers include benchtop models. Others include thin-walled benchtop models, and walk-in fume hood models. You should also ensure that the manufacturer or supplier you have chosen is a certified and reliable one, supplying only high-quality products. Specials attributes like chemical and flame resistance should also be available for the fume hoods. A chemical fume hood is a long-term investment. Thus, like any other laboratory furniture, one should always ensure that they make a well-informed decision. This is done by knowing all the facts in advance.