It is a closed and ventilated workspace designed to contain and expel vapors and particulates produced within. Closed on the sides and bottom, it has a plenum on the roof for air intake and exhaust. A front sash door allows the user to access the interior.
The fume hood must be properly designed, installed and maintained to ensure operator protection.
The substances handled are potentially hazardous. In fact, toxic, flammable, or explosive atmospheres can develop inside the hoods. For this reason, the hood must be kept in perfect working order.
The European reference standard for construction and performance tests is UNI EN 14175. The standard that regulates minimum performance is UNI TS 11710.
Hoods must have a product certification and the CE mark.
The hood must be used correctly:
- All operations involving hazardous chemicals must be carried out under a fume hood.
- Before starting work, make sure the hood is on.
- The work area and all material in the hood must be at least 15-20 cm away from the front opening.
- Raise the front panel to a maximum opening of 40/50 cm while working; do not insert yourself into the hood (e.g., with your head) for any reason. Remember that the lower the front panel is, the less the hood’s operation is affected by spurious currents in the room.
- Keep the work surface clean and tidy after each job.
- Keep only the materials strictly necessary for the activity under the hood: do not use the hood as a storage area. Do not obstruct the airflow along the hood surface. If you must use equipment that takes up space on the surface, raise it at least 5 cm above the surface using suitable caps and keep it away from the walls. In any case, ensure that the hood’s exhaust vents are not obstructed.
- Do not use the hood as a means of disposing of reagents by forced evaporation.
- When the hood is not in use, turn off the extraction and close the front.
- If electrical equipment is used in the hood (which must be suitable for atmospheres with a fire risk), all electrical connections must be external to the hood.