3432 -- Performance of Fume Hoods in Simulated Laboratory Conditions

A summary of work performed by the author for Health and Welfare Canada. The objective of the study was to determine the effect that normal laboratory conditions could have on the containment performance of commonly used fume hoods. Contaminant tests were performed on both bypass and auxiliary air hoods using tracer gas measurements. The results of these tests were then compared to the results of the same tests performed under several "non-ideal" conditions. These conditions included cross-draughts, pedestrian movement, improper hood modifications, and placement near busy doorways. It was found that the containment performance suffered a great deal, pointing to the fact that the actual working level of containment can be well below the values quoted from standardised tests.

KEYWORDS: performance, exhaust hoods, laboratories, testing, tracers, gas, measuring, comparing, draughts, doors, Canada.