Fume Hoods

What is fume hood?

A fume hood is a safety ventilation device commonly found in laboratories, designed to remove hazardous gases, fumes, vapors, and particles from the work environment. It functions by drawing air through a workspace via an exhaust system, capturing and containing potentially harmful substances, thereby protecting laboratory personnel from inhaling toxic chemicals or contaminating the surrounding area.

Fume hoods typically consist of a cabinet with a moveable sash or window at the front, allowing users to adjust the opening based on their needs. Inside the hood, there is usually a workspace where chemical reactions, mixing, or other processes that may generate hazardous materials take place. The air inside the hood is exhausted through a duct system to a safe location, either after passing through a filter or being released into the atmosphere at a safe distance from the building.

It's crucial to ensure that fume hoods are regularly maintained, tested for proper airflow, and used in accordance with established safety protocols to guarantee their effectiveness in minimizing risks associated with working with hazardous chemicals.