If you’ve never been in a real laboratory, you may not even know what fume cabinets are, much less what fume extract systems consist of. In essence, they are used to control noxious fumes within a laboratory. This is often done in one of three distinct ways:
1. Fume cabinets – These cabinets are sealed units crafted to prevent fumes from reaching the general environment.
2. Fume hoods – If you are in need of removing unpleasant fumes from the environment, these specifically designed hoods will do just that.
3. Fume extract systems – These are complex systems designed specifically to keep fumes and dust particles out of the environment or atmosphere.
The use of any of these may be required depending on what the various laboratory experiments consist of. Of course, not all experiments create nor contain noxious or even just unpleasant fumes.
Those that are unfamiliar with the items may be surprised to learn fume cabinets or fume cupboards are found completely enclosed in pods and contain sash door openings. This allows the experimenter to have solid access while being able to work on anything that requires the fumes to be regulated so that the fumes do not enter any other area of the interior environment. This is most helpful for schools and other laboratory buildings since no one would wish to see occupants placed at severe risk. These cabinets and pods come in many different shapes and sizes and formats. Some are bench mounted while others are affixed to wheels which certainly adds to easily moving equipment from one area to the next with little effort. It is also helpful that some cabinets are equipped with a fume monitoring system that allow for airflow monitoring that include both visual and audio alarms delivering greater safety flexibility. Such alarms are extremely important as they can protect any individuals working in the vicinity of such fumes. That is why their use in employed in a number of environments.
In many situations specialist fume cabinets may be needed and this includes situations such as carrying radio chemicals. There are numerous special adaptations to these cabinets including a strong metal sub-frame found underneath the worktop. This allows for an increase in the load bearing capacity which permits the use of blocks made of lead designed for shielding. For cases required to handle aggressive acids such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, it may be necessary to use special purpose waterwash fume cabinets. Such devices have toughened glass shields fitted to the side walls and are used to protect the polypropylene interior. This is achieved via cooling and cleaning sprays fitted to dilute any spilled acid. Then fume washing is delivered by a number of water sprays which are installed at a higher level. The water mist theyproduce will cool the fumes and remove the fume’s acid content. The diluted solution will then be removed into the chemical drainage system.
Of course, there are many different types of fume hoods that comprise a wide range of material and among the most popular is Polypropylene. This is an extremely durable and resistant material that is highly resistant to chemical acids, bases, and solvents used in chemical compounds that are greatly corrosive to normal construction. This is what can lead to a high instance of rust. Thankfully, these hoods will accurately and can completely remove the problematic vapors, fumes, and other toxic materials. This will yield the necessary protection to protect both operator and environment. These items can be bench mounted and overbench models are also available and they do not absorb valuable bench space. The way this is accomplished is by the hood maintaining an air system that will draw in air and exhaust from outside the building. This allows the fumes to be removed from the capture breathing zone of employees. For those working in a lab, this will be greatly needed in order for safety purposes.
Safety standards have been set by various industries as well as governmental organizations. One of the most common for a fume hood is called face velocity. All this comprises of is the actual speed that normal laboratory air will enter the fume hoods facial opening. The idea is to ensure that a fume hoods face velocity is raised enough to contain noxious fumes, yet not high enough to actually cause any air turbulence that may be found in between a hood face and the worker using the hood. COSHH testing, which is an acronym for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) is required by law in the UK, and is crucial when considering the control and expulsion of fumes in a laboratory situation.
Fume extract systems are known to incorporate a wide range of fume cabinets and hoods as well as similar extraction devices. This is done to ensure the safety of a fume free and dust free environment for workers who occupy a large area. This is achieved by removing gases, dust and smoke directly from the source of such an environment. From this, pollutants will be isolated, contained, and extracted before they are able to spread to other areas of the premises. Such items are widespread in industrial venues such as welding environments or those where the presence of dust is highly problematic.
Hopefully by now you have a clear understanding of what a fume cabinet entails and what other fume extraction systems can deliver for the safe operation of a laboratory. Fume extract systems and fume cabinets are vital to protect workers in such laboratories and that is why their installation is so important.