The work statement for the ASHRAE sponsored research project states that the object of the project is to develop tentative criteria for publication in the ASHRAE Handbook and Product Directory covering

A. The design of room air distribution, type of air diffusers (supply fixtures), and the arrangement and number of hoods in a room;

B. The design, selection, sizing, testing and maintenance of fume hoods for research laboratories of two representative types: 1) Standard laboratory hoods; 2) Standard hoods with internal and/or external auxiliary air supply; and

C. A set of standard hood procedures for testing the performance of laboratory hoods in place.

To pursue the objectives of the work statement, a standard performance test was developed, used in two sets of laboratory tests and tested in the field on sixteen academic or industrial laboratory fume hoods. The results of the project indicate that:

1) The proposed standard performance test is a viable tool that yields a considerably more meaningful evaluation of fume hoods than the current face velocity tests. 2) The effect of the method of supplying the replacement air (type, number, size and location of supply fixtures) is as important, if not more important, than the hood face velocity. 3) A set of design recommendations and guidelines for the selection and placement of supply air fixtures was developed.