Fume Hoods
What Is a Fume Hood?
A fume hood is a critical piece of laboratory safety equipment designed to limit exposure to hazardous or toxic fumes, vapors, and dust. It provides a ventilated, enclosed workspace that protects users by drawing contaminated air away from the breathing zone and safely managing airborne particles and gases. Fume hoods are commonly used in chemical laboratories, research facilities, and educational institutions for procedures involving volatile substances or potentially harmful reactions. They come in two primary types—ducted and ductless—each suited to specific applications and lab environments.
How Ductless Fume Hoods Work
Ductless fume hoods, also known as recirculating fume hoods, use internal fans and filtration systems to clean contaminated air before releasing it back into the room.
Ambient air is drawn into the hood, where it captures chemical fumes and particulates. This air is then passed through a series of filters—typically including a prefilter for particulates and activated carbon filters for chemical vapors. Once filtered, the clean air is recirculated into the workspace.
Ductless hoods offer flexibility, energy efficiency, and easier installation, making them ideal for laboratories handling small to moderate quantities of non-toxic or low-toxicity chemicals.
How Ducted Fume Hoods Work
Ducted fume hoods operate by pulling air from the room into the hood and then exhausting it outside the building through a system of ducts.
As air enters the hood, it captures fumes and vapors generated during experiments, preventing them from entering the room. The contaminated air is then expelled outdoors, often after passing through prefilters or scrubbers to reduce environmental impact.
Ducted hoods are ideal for high-volume or hazardous chemical use, especially when working with substances that cannot be safely filtered and recirculated. Because they rely on building ventilation systems, installation is more complex and permanent.
How often should a Fume Hood be certified?
Per OSHA, fume hood testing should be conducted on an annual basis at a minimum.
Certification is required at installation and after any major changes or relocation.
Contact Us for Certification, Repairs, or New Fume Hood Inquiries
Need a fume hood certified or repaired? Looking to purchase a new unit? Our team is here to help—reach out today!
