Laboratory Fume Hood/Ventilation Equipment Certification
Most fume hoods and other laboratory ventilation equipment are tested every six months by the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. Biosafety Cabinets and vertical wet benches are
tested annually by an outside contractor.
The testing is performed as follows using an air velocity meter:
- Fume Hood
- The face velocity of air being drawn into the unit at a given sash height is measured in feet per minute (FPM). An average of 100 FPM is an ideal velocity for fume hoods in a
laboratory.
- Depending on the size of the fume hood, between 9 and 18 measurements are taken to determine the average face velocity. When a fume hood's face velocity is satisfactory, a
green certification sticker is placed on the left side of the fume hood. The information on the sticker includes the following information:
- The type of work the fume hood is approved for:
- Storage only
- General chemistry
- Radioisotopes
- Carcinogen or toxic chemical work
- Approved sash height, indicated by the arrow on the certification sticker
- Face velocity
- Date of inspection
- Initials of person inspecting hood
- Expiration date
- Ventilation Equipment (Trunks, Snorkels, Ducts, Vent Hoods, etc.)
- The face velocity of air being drawn into the unit is measured in feet per minute (FPM). The required face velocity depends on the type of ventilation equipment and its use.
Contact EHS forinformation on the required face velocity.
- The type of work the unit is approved for:
- Storage only
- General chemistry
- Radioisotopes
- Carcinogen or toxic chemical work
- Face Velocity
- Date of inspection
- Initials of person inspecting hood
- Expiration date
- If the fume hood or ventilation equipment fails the test, the unit is tagged out with a yellow out-of-service sign. Fume hood sashes are completely closed. EHS contacts the
Facilities Help Desk and submits a work request to have the unit repaired by the HVAC Shop. EHS will retest the unit when notified of the repair by either the HVAC Shop or the user.
- Example of a completed certification sticker:
Contact EHS if the fume hood in your lab has not been tested within the last six months, or if you feel that the fume hood is not operating properly due to one of the following reasons:
- An adjustment has been made to the fume hood.
- If the fume hood has become inoperable for more than 24 hours.
- Other indications that the unit may not be operating properly.
Questions or requests for more information may be addressed to James Farley or call 831-6566.
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