AZ Arizona Business Blog

Exhaust systems in laboratories have to meet certain regulations and codes depending on the type of work performed.  While many models of fume hoods are considered to be standard, most are specialized to meet individual lab safety needs of the occupants.

Bioscience laboratories perform work on special research projects that may have to share equipment with others.  They also have to use separate operating areas, such as cold rooms, warm rooms or containment labs.  This makes exhaust hoods difficult to fit according to environmental standards and a real challenge to Laboratory Furniture Designers.

Fume hoods, laminar flow hoods and biosafety cabinets are often used in bioscience research rooms.  Exhaust stack discharge is recommended for single unit stacks at a discharge velocity of 3000 feet per minute (RPM).  The face velocity of a hood has to be sufficient to capture and contain hazardous chemicals in a bioscience area.

A lab designer will be expected to not only follow every entity guideline but also be able to provide the complex array of ducting, fans, filters, work surfaces, scrubbers, support structures and necessary accessories in addition to fume hoods.

There are several types of fume hoods that range in size from 4′ to 8′ plus those that are custom made for a more precise size and application.  You may recognize some of these types of hoods; radioisotope fume hoods, by-pass fume hoods, perchloride acid fume hoods and low bench fume hoods.  They all have a particular purpose and almost all come with a white resin chemliner for further protection.

Sash types can be purchased to add a more decorative touch to the ventilation system.  These include vertical rising sash, horizontal/vertical rising sash, post less double vertical rising sash and horizontal sash.  Exhaust hoods are not a suggestion for better ventilation but a requirement by law.  In selecting your Laboratory Designer, made sure that their personnel are skilled at providing products and installation that are in code and that testing and certification can be done on the hoods once installed.

Other types of facilities that depend on measured ventilation are chemistry labs and laboratory animal facilities.  The ASHRAE handbook offers a vast range of design factors and the essential ventilation of facilities in addition to primary air systems, process cooling, air treatment, energy recovery, air balance and much more.  Recommendations contained in the ASHRAE handbook can give you an inside view of what will be required in the development of a laboratory and the changing nature that evolves every couple of years.  This will give you an idea of how invaluable a Laboratory Furniture Designer is with your space and the furnishings that are necessary for your success.

Comments Off